SUN 21 JAN 07 HIGHRIDGE 3 FRY CLUB COLTS 4 Not
the best place to play football on a windy winters
afternoon and with the pitch looking very wet, it was doubtful the game would
finish. However, it did and it was to our benefit. Although
we played against the wind in the first half, it made little difference as we
totally dominated the 40 minutes. Even without the absent James Hurrell Smith and losing James Boulton
after 5 minutes to injury, we were rarely threatened in defence
as Kyle Curtis, Michael Payne and Oli Randall played
superbly. Our ‘new’ signing Oli Murray, returning to Frys after a 5 year absence, was sent on for the injured
James Boulton, much earlier than we had anticipated
but he immediately settled down into Midfield to support both Danny McCarthy
and Mo Bouaziz who were also winning their battles.
Our first goal was poked home on the line by Brad Monelle
and our second soon after was the end product of a great team movement which
was started and finished by Oli Murray with a great
strike to put us 2 up. Our football at times was very pleasing on a very
difficult pitch but we made it easy for ourselves by passing and supporting.
The only wonder was how we went into half time just 2-0 up. In the main it was
down to the Highridge keeper who time after time was
called into action to save his team from a much bigger scoreline.
Certainly both Craig Andrews and Brad Monelle were denied and frustrated and the unfortunate
Nathan Dawson suffered a horrible bobble just as he thought he had put the ball
into an empty net. We were though very pleased with our work. As
always tends to happen when you are only 2-0 up, one mistake and the opposition
score. Just one minute into the second half we allowed a midfield player to run
through unchallenged which gave their striker a half chance which he took. Soon
Highridge were level. An unfortunate free kick was
conceded which we took too long to defend and as Craig Francis was organizing
his wall the ref blew his whistle and the ball was promptly sailed into the
unguarded far corner. Now the game was on. Heads remained positive but we
weren’t getting quite as many chances. Mo Bouaziz
suffered a blow to the nose as he attempted to head the ball which drew blood.
Having tidied up the injury, he went back on and within a minute found himself
at the far post to strike the ball home to put us back in the lead at 3-2. Once
again Highridge though came back and with a great
strike into the top of the net they were level again straight after. Our two
forwards Craig and Brad though were still full of running and continued to push
balls beyond their defence to create opportunities.
We had already had one penalty shout refused for a trip on Brad but the second
shout for hand ball from a Brad cross was to prove decisive. With 15 minutes to
go, All
14 players were again used today and each contributed to the win. Man of the
Match could have gone to almost all of the team but it was awarded today to
Kyle Curtis who did such a great job deputising as
sweeper very quietly and efficiently. SQUAD: Craig Francis,
Michael Payne, James Boulton, Oli
Murray, Danny McCarthy, Mo Bouaziz, Dean Lapham, Oli Randall (Capt),
Bradley Monelle, Kyle Curtis, Craig Andrews, Charlie
Frampton, Nathan Dawson, Jordan Knight