Team: Howl,
McNab, Price, Sinclair, Hood, Russell, Middleton
Subs: Lister, Woodland
Away to Warndon Village Hawks today, who have a very nice set up, a
good flat pitch and a club house very close selling refreshments,
very impressive. We beat this team heavily earlier in the season,
but all the teams have improved so I don’t think a repeat of that
score line will be occurring this morning.
Warndon got the game underway, a strong tackle to steal the ball and
Russell was away making full use of the wide pitch, crossed the ball
in early, Middleton shot straight at the keeper who spilled it, but
the Warndon defence cleared the danger. Again it was Middleton who
had found some space to shoot, but it was just wide.
Westbury are playing very well, using the full width of the pitch to
stretch the opposition, they just can’t find a goal. McNab and Price
in defence are looking very good working together, one drops back as
the other pushes forward and vice versa. Sinclair on the wing is
working the line well and linking with Middleton in the middle of
the park, it was a Sinclair,
Middleton move that got Sinclair free to shoot but a good save by
the keeper. Warndon have no one forward they are “parking the bus”
in front of goal at the moment making it very difficult to get a
clear shot on goal. A rare Warndon push but Howl has it covered and
straight away is looking to distribute it quickly, he send the ball
straight to Middleton, great first touch slips it to Sinclair, who
forces a corner. Again Westbury can’t find a way through to the
goal and the clearance falls to McNab who fires the ball up towards
Middleton.
Warndon have grown in confidence due to Westbury not scoring and are
pushing forward more and breaking in numbers. A couple of changes
Hood off Woodland on, Sinclair off Lister on. Woodland was straight
in the action, got the ball under control, and slipped it through to
Russell, but was blocked by the Warndon defenders. Again Warndon
pushed forward and got a shot off over the bar but Howl had it
covered, and like last time Howl played a quick ball to Lister to
get a move going, Lister slipped it to Woodland who passed to
Middleton, a great flowing move, but the Warndon players are back in
numbers and blocked the shot again. You can tell the team are
frustrated, they have had the lions share of the play and
possession, but just can’t get the ball in the net. Warndon pushed
down the line, and managed to force a corner, the first shot was
blocked but the second attempt fell to an unmarked player and
despite Howls best efforts it was in the back of the net. Totally
against the run of play, and Westbury had no time to reply as the
ref blew for half time.
Half Time 1 - 0
Westbury kicked the second half off, if they played like they did in
the first half I’m sure the goals will come, and the supporters
didn’t have to wait long. Right from the kick off, Middleton through
the middle, the Warndon players are backing off him, a pass to
Russell out to Lister back to Middleton, slipped through to Russell
1 - 1, what a start to the
second half! Warndon looked shocked and at the kick off Westbury
pushed again, Lister on the wing rounded the defender, sent a great
cross to Russell, who still had work to do, but slotted it home 1 -
2, Warndon really didn’t know
what had happened, excellent play from Westbury.
Warndon who played well in the first half can’t get into the game so
far in the second half, Westbury have the bit between their teeth
and are pressing again, this time, Woodland out from deep again
straight through the middle and sent the ball to Middleton,
splitting the defence 1 - 3 a very well taken goal and Westbury have
added 3 goals in quick succession, to effectively win the game. A
quick swap Price off Hood back on, which saw Woodland drop back into
defence, and Middleton off Sinclair on. Westbury won a free kick, it
was sent in by Hood, and Lister couldn’t get on the end of it, but
forced a corner. Warndon had reverted to getting everyone back to
defend as they did in the first half, the corner was crossed in by
Hood but Sinclair was inches wide with the shot, excellent effort
though.
Final change of the game Russell off Price back on, up front this
time, and straight into it, the ball was fired towards Price on the
volley he shot and it hit the cross bar, very unlucky. Westbury are
still pushing to extend the lead but Warndon are defending well and
are forcing shots to be made in a very crowded area.
Warndon made a break in the final stages of the game but Woodland
charged after the player and forced the shot wide. A final
Westbury attack Sinclair to Price shot just wide and then the ref
blew for full time
Full Time: 1 - 3
MOTM: Howl, was excellent today it was his distribution that
got him MOTM, whenever he had the ball he was always looking to
release a Westbury player straight away. He was commanding his area
very well, and was very solid again between the sticks.
A good performance from the lads today, the first half was excellent
the movement the passing, the ball would just not fall in the back
of the net. Second half it did and again the play was good,
excellent at times, but goes to show that all the teams are
improving, so we can take nothing for granted.
Managers’ Comments
Like the last game, the movement wasn’t as flowing and the passing
as precise as you have performed this season but it is
understandable after another long period of time without a game,
although a significant improvement from the last game. Also, don’t
get too impatient, keep playing the way we have coached you and the
result will come, well done.
Man of the Match this week could have easily been given to several
of you but as the match report states his awareness and desire to
change the game enabled the team to come back from 1 - nil down to
win the game, well done Howl. |
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