FRY CLUB COLTS 2

This was our first ever game against this team who had already had some fine results this season and with our squad depleted by many absent players, including our goalkeeper who had work commitments, it meant the injured James Boulton had to play in goal and Michael Payne was invited to make a return to the team.

Cadbury Heath won the toss and decided to play with the strong wind in the first half. Despite this, the first chance fell to Scott Palma whose vicious goal bound shot was deflected for a corner. However, early chances for Frys were few and far between as Cadbury made use of the wind advantage to put pressure on our defence. A great corner to a free Heath player at the far post was met by a good header which somehow missed the net. Following a poor Frys clearance, a rasping drive just flew over James Boultons bar. Lewis Watt made a great left wing run and his deep cross was met by Mo Bouaziz whose great control allowed him to turn back towards goal and thumping shot was denied a goal by a great save. The wind was playing a major part in our attempt to play football as it became difficult to clear the danger. With the back 3 having to accommodate several changes, it was down to both Scott Gregory and Michael Payne to organize the defending and marking effectively, supported well by the combination of Oli Murray who was still making a full recovery from his ankle injury earlier in the season and the flexible Kyle Curtis who slotted in at sweeper during parts of the match. It was this determination that led to the opening goal. Good pressure by Scott Palma won the ball on the half way line. His pass down the line found Brad Monelle who forced a mistake by the Heath defender which allowed him to pull back his cross from the left into the box straight to Ryan Gibbs who had strayed unnoticed into the forward position. With quick thinking, his side footed shot flew passed the last defender and into the empty net to put us 1-0 up. This gave our confidence a massive boost as we saw out the first half safely to stay in the lead.

Although we had the wind advantage in the second half, it was Cadbury Heath who again tried to force pressure on our goal. With Danny McCarthy in particular standing up extremely well under provocation, it gave Oli Randall and Mo Bouaziz opportunities to gain control of the midfield as Heath chased the game. James Boulton made a fantastic save from a Heath free kick which he tipped over the bar and this proved decisive as they could not find a way through our defence. Lewis Watt and Brad Monelle continued to press the Heath defence and midway through the second half Brad was given a a chance to increase our lead but his strong shot was tackled just in time to prevent it hitting the target. However, with 15 mins to go a ball down the right wing to Brad Monelle gave him a chance to run at the defender. Although he was badly tackled which forced him to leave the pitch injured, his cross ball to Mo Bouaziz opened up the defence and once inside the penalty box Mo coolly thumped home our second of the match to seal a great 2-0 victory. Some late petulance saw both teams reduced to 10 men but this was a fine victory and much deserved.

This was an especially pleasing 3 points in view of the 7 players that were unavailable for todays match but also to show the character of the team when under pressure. There were many fine performances but the one that stood out the most was Scott Gregory who played one of his best games of the season to earn todays Man of the Match.