SUN
18 NOV 07
FRY
CLUB COLTS
2
HIGHRIDGE
1
A
home cup match against lower league opponents was the recipe for an upset which
we were determined not to let happen. With a couple of unexpected absences and 2
injuries, we had a limited squad to choose from but they were not to let
themselves down.
The
emphasis was on a quick start to the game which led to an early free kick from
Mo Bouaziz who narrowly missed the target. The first goal of the match came
early in the first half as a quick throw in from Kyle Curtis to Charlie Frampton
was well controlled and pushed into the path of Captain Oli Randall whose
control put the ball onto his left foot for a great shot across the keeper which
went in off the far post. Our pressure continued as we took the game to
Highridge. Oli Randall had a further shot from distance as our midfield quartet
of Oli, Danny McCarthy, Jordan Knight and Nathan Dawson enjoyed lots of
possession. A second goal wasn’t too far away. A Charlie Frampton kick into
the box was followed up by Nathan Dawson’s tackle of the defender. The ball
broke clear to Mo Bouaziz following up and his sweet shot beat the keeper to put
us well in command of the tie at 2-0. In defence we had given a start to new
player Ben Keen who looked very confident throughout the whole game which was
mirrored by Kyle Curtis at left full back and James Hurrell Smith sweeping and
Scott Gregory just in front.
The
talk at half time was about not conceding unnecessary free kicks and to retain
possession and create further chances. Unfortunately, an early free kick was
conceded rather harshly for hand ball and from the direct free kick the ball
somehow eluded keeper Craig Francis and sailed into the top right corner to
bring Highridge back to within a goal. This did not deter our forward play as we
continued the pressure on their defence. Several good corners were swung in
which Scott Gregory just failed to power goal bound. From another good piece of
forward play, the ball was put into the box for Lewis Watt to use his pace with.
His turn and shot beat the keeper but somehow rebounded off the inside of the
post and ran all the way along the line and hit the other post and was cleared.
A great run from Danny McCarthy put the ball out wide to Nathan Dawson. He beat
his man and put a tremendous cross into the box onto Lewis Watts’ head which
just missed the top corner. Another through ball found Jordan Knight in space
which he exploited with a great volley only to see the goalkeeper just get his
fingertips to push it around the post. In the closing minutes, Danny
McCarthy’s through ball to Scott Palma wide right, allowed him to move into
the box and cut inside his man. He curled a great left shot around the keeper
onto the underside of the bar but it rebounded out. With time just about run out
there was no way back for Highridge who were well beaten on the day.
There
were many notable performances today, in particular Kyle Curtis and Nathan
Dawson. However, today’s Man of the Match award was presented to Oli Randall
whose performance today was by far one of his best to date and answered a lot of
questions we had put to him.
SQUAD:
Craig Francis, Ben Keen, Danny McCarthy, Mo Bouaziz, Oli Randall(Capt), Kyle
Curtis, Jordan Knight, Scott
Gregory, Lewis Watt, Scott Palma, Nathan Dawson, James Hurrell Smith, Charlie
Frampton