SUN
16 DEC 07
FRY
CLUB COLTS 3
Our last league fixture of 2007 was to give us a
chance of our first 3 points of this season on a jolly cold winters
day against a team who were near the bottom of the division, but still above us
of course!!
We had a squad of 15 players and the first task was
to set up the team not to concede early goals. However, giving the ball away
direct from our kick off was not the best start but fortunately the Central
striker missed his chance. It took us a few minutes to settle down as a further
chance was missed by the opponents. Our first corner of the match was
beautifully floated in by Kyle Curtis onto the head of James Boulton who was unlucky as the keeper pulled of a great
save. A ball down the right wing to Brad Monelle was
controlled well and from the pull back Lewis Watt just failed to get any power
on his volley which went into the keepers arms. We were now beginning to
dominate in all areas of the pitch as the chances continued to come. James Hurrell Smith won a great tackle and his direct through
ball to Brad Monelle gave Brad a good chance but it
just flew wide of the post. Both Oli Randall and
Danny McCarthy were really on top of their game as they let very little through
the middle of Midfield. From another tackle by Danny, his through ball once
again found Brad who again just missed the target. By now the Central defence were having trouble controlling the speed of both
Brad and Lewis and on a wide pitch our 2 wingers Kyle and Scott Palma were also
getting into good positions to penetrate around the outside of their full
backs. Following some further pressure on the Central full backs by Brad, a
corner was won and from another good cross in, James Boulton
was again denied by an outstanding save by the keeper but the ball fell to
Lewis Watt who smashed home our first goal of the game. We fully deserved our
lead which was made more comfortable by the sending off of a Central player
near the end of the first half.
During Half Time, we discussed the need not to concede
and to push on for more opportunities to score. However, once again we started
the half very slowly and some 5 minutes of pressure from Central should have
brought them an equalizer. A long range free kick was not dealt with and a
Central striker should have slotted home the rebound but somehow hit the post
instead. This was the slice of luck we needed. Another great tackle from Danny
McCarthy who moved the ball into Brad Monelles path
and his powerful shot just went over the bar. Another move ended with the
unlucky Lewis Watt deflecting his shot onto the bar from close range. With more
pressure building a second had to come and it was a great team goal. Oli Randall moved the ball down the channel to Brad
Monelle who cut inside the defender and passed the ball to
Lewis Watt who slotted home ours and his second of the game. With every player
now playing so confidently, it was important we kept our concentration. Our 2
full backs Michael Payne and Ben Keen in particular were closing down the
attacks very well and providing excellent cover for James and James (aka Smithy
and Boults) and this strength seemed to flow
throughout the whole team. Still we continued to create chances. Brad had
another chance to score but once again his shot just missed the target. Soon
after, Brad turned provider as he gathered the ball wide right and floated in a
brilliant cross to the far post for Charlie Frampton to nod home but somehow
the keeper just got a hand to it. Oli Randall was
also a big influence in our attacks and his inside pass to Danny McCarthy gave
him a chance to shot from distance but his shot failed to trouble the keeper.
However with 10 minutes to go the game was put beyond doubt as once again Brad Monelle picked the ball up and with Central pushed forward
he put the ball in behind the defence to Danny whose
shot this time was perfect, to seal the victory. Central scored a spectacular
late consolation with a dipping free kick which clipped the bar as it went in
but they were comprehensively beaten on the day.
Any victory is vital but today was even more
important as we proved to ourselves just how well we can play. This was down to
each individual player and one in particular stood out today with his
discipline, tackling, determination and goal scoring as today’s Man of the
Match was awarded to Danny McCarthy.
SQUAD:
Craig Francis, Michael Payne, James Boulton, Danny
McCarthy, Oli Randall(Capt), Kyle Curtis, Charlie
Frampton, Ryan Gibbs, Lewis Watt, Scott Palma, James Hurrell
Smith, Brad Monelle, Jordan Knight, Nathan Dawson,
Ben Keen,