SUN
27 OCT 07
ST
ALDHELMS ‘A’ 3
FRY
CLUB COLTS 3
With a few players unavailable due to the Half Term
break, this was on paper a difficult match to play. It was also a test of the teams strength and character.
An even start to the game saw early pressure at both
ends of the pitch. A flurry of corners from Mo Bouaziz
tested the St Aldhelms defence
without success whilst 2 good runs and shots from Brad Monelle
gave their defence some early warning of what was to
come. Meanwhile, in our defence, stand in keeper
Michael Payne was playing well, stopping everything that was put his way, and
with Kyle Curtis, Jordan Knight, Scott Gregory and Oli
Randall in fine form, the task of earning a result was starting to unfold.
However, despite some good work by the team, 2 mistakes were punished by St Aldhelms mid way through the first half to put them
undeservedly 2-0 in the lead. The team pulled together and gradually got to
grips with many of the battles across the pitch. In midfield
both Mo and Craig were beginning to dominate and on 37 mins
following a good ball into the box from Nathan Dawson, Craig pulled the shot
back across the keeper for Lewis Watts to poke home from close range. 2 minutes
later we were level. A great through ball from Craig found Brad Monelle who powered his shot home to take us into half time
back on level terms.
The second half started at the same pace with both
teams now stretching each other looking for a break. Unfortunately it was St Aldhelms who snatched back the lead after 50 mins. Having to chase the game yet again, our players
responded by playing some great football in their half of the pitch. On 60 mins we got our reward. A free kick was awarded on the
right side of the box which Brad Monelle sized up and
unleashed an unstoppable kick into the top left corner to draw us level again.
With the game in the balance, both teams had chances to win. In defence Kyle Curtis was stopping everything thrown his way
which allowed our midfield to keep pushing forward. Our best chances to win the
match came in the last few minutes but Lewis Watts right footed shot just
failed to connect and another Brad Monelle free kick
flew over the bar. In the final attack of the match, a last gasp tackle by Ryan
Gibbs shut out the St Aldhelms chance.
This was a really important result for us as it
proved we can play good football even when we have several players missing. It
was nothing less than we deserved and following the previous performance
against Broadwalk, we have set our standard which we
must maintain.
Each and every player could have won today's Man of the Match as they all put something positive
into the game. In particular, Scott Gregory, Oli
Randall and Brad Monelle were certainly influential as well as Michael Payne in goal, but it was
Kyle Curtis who really stood out with such great tackling and distribution to
help his team earn a point and he won today's
award.
SQUAD:
Michael Payne,