Imperial Saints (2) v Fry Club Colts (2)

29/03/06

 

A strong pre match talk from the Fry’s manager (Rob Stone) fired the boy’s up for this encounter. “150% effort required with commitment and strength. Put it in and win the points”, but the main thing he stressed was “go out there and enjoy yourselves”.

 

Fry’s have an effort go wide after just 3 minutes to which Imperial counter attack with the next play, catching Fry’s on the break, but also not finding the target.

 

In the 11^th minute a high ball in by Justin Skinner in midfield is fumbled by the Imperial keeper and Harry Pople was unfortunate not the get the ball on the follow up.

 

Evan Thomas came the closest yet in the 25^th minute with a superb effort being tipped over the bar by a fantastic save.

   

The breakthrough comes for Fry’s just before half time when Dan Buley latched onto a ball wide out on the right, takes it to the edge of the area, and fires his 100^th goal for Fry’s into the far side of the net over the keeper to make it 1-0 at the break.

 

The half time talk stresses that Imperial have done their homework and are putting the ball out wide rather than through the middle. The lads have seemed a bit nervous and tentative in the first half and need to step up their game.

 

The 2^nd half doesn’t start well when after 5 minutes Fry’s defence fail to clear the ball and the Imperial striker nips through and slots the ball wide of Tom Ashley into the back of the net, 1-1.

 

Fry’s retake the lead when Jack Baber puts Dan Buley through. His shot is palmed wide by the diving keeper, and Harry Pople is there on the follow up to fire in for 2-1.

 

Imperial are awarded a free kick in the dying minutes of the game which is fiercely driven into the box and lifted over Tom Ashley for the equaliser, 2-2.

 

This was a game that Fry’s had battled well in, made most of the play, and were unlucky not to come away from with all 3 points.