SUN
23 SEPT 07
FRY
CLUB COLTS 2
CADBURY
HEATH ‘A’ 1 (aet)
The second round of the cup put us against Div 3
opposition again, but this was never going to be an easy fixture. We were
allocated pitch 8 and the wind was gusting from end to end.
We played into the wind in the first half and this
inevitably meant we were at times under pressure from the Heath attack. In
fact, we struggled for the first 25 mins to really
trouble their keeper. The only chance fell to James Boulton
whose header just missed the far post. Meanwhile, our keeper Craig Francis was
handling very well with Scott Gregory, Oli Murray and
Kyle Curtis protecting him also. As we got a more of the ball in the last
stages of the first half, we were able to create better attacks. A long range
shot from Jordan Knight was just pushed around the post by the keeper and so we
managed to stay level at 0-0 into half time.
We were still without the injured James
Hurrell Smith plus captain Oli
Randall and Scott Palma, but our depth in strength was proving important as
Lewis Watt came on for his first game since his pre season injury. His
sharpness rewarded him with 3 good chances at the start of the second half, but
again their keeper answered all the questions he was asked. Kyle Curtis had
moved forward into the centre of midfield with Mo Bouaziz
and our two banks of 4 gave us a better formation for the second half. This
proved important as another fine low shot from Jordan Knight proved clinical,
as this time his accuracy and the now wet conditions ensured the ball shot past
the Heath keepers diving hands to put us 1-0 up. We were now well on top with
both Charlie Frampton and Lewis causing the Heath defence
all sorts of problems. And while we were being frustrated in attack, Cadbury
Heath, following a good exchange of passes drew level as the ball was pulled
back to the edge of our area and a great shot gave Craig Francis no chance.
Although we pushed for the winner, it just would not come and so extra time was
needed.
Our strength and fitness was showing well which
guided through another great attack putting a great ball through to Charlie
Frampton whose cool strike passed the Heath keeper into the far corner to put us
in the lead again just before the turnaround. The second period soon went as
Cadbury Heath were unable to penetrate our reformed defence and so we saw out the game winning by 2-1. We
certainly benefited from some outstanding performances today, not least from James
Boulton who started the game as a striker, moved back
into Midfield and finished in the centre of defence.
Oli
Randall and James Hurrell Smith analyzed todays performers and awarded the
Man of the Match to Scott Gregory for his consistent performance in defence.
SQUAD:
Craig Francis, Michael Payne, James Boulton, Oli Murray, Danny McCarthy, Mo Bouaziz,
(Capt), Kyle Curtis, Charlie Frampton, Nathan Dawson, Jordan Knight, Scott
Gregory, Ryan Gibbs, Lewis Watt