The second game against the same opposition, different surface, different team set up, and ultimately a different result.
Switching to 442, forced as much as anything due to missing players, paid dividends very quickly. Dave Sherwood being sent down the left by a Danny Baker cross field pass, went past the defender before squaring the ball For Mark Tomlinson (Tommo) who made no mistake from 12 yards. Sherwood was again released by Baker, this time down the right only to see his lob bounce wide of the near post.
Pass & move was the aim of the game and Whiteley pulled the opposition apart almost at will, another well worked passing move bringing one of the two screamers of the day, Rikki James teeing up John Huntington to smash one home from 25 yards with his left peg!! Unfortunately the ease of the game took its toll and a stray pass turned John from Hero to Villian, playing in the opposition forward who finished into the far corner. This was followed by a few minutes of panic from Whiteley with a shot coming in, following another defensive lapse that went narrowly over. Hero status was quickly reappointed though, a ball in from the right saw Sherwood have a shot tipped onto the bar by the keeper, the rebounds coming to Huntington on the edge of the box who hit another lefty straight through the keepers legs.
Clear cut chances eased up but the following flowing football remained positive as players started to try a few more things, even Damien Leggatt had a run from defence, seeing his 35 yard toe punt fly just wide, then Ash Barber got on the end of a long throw but the keeper just clawed it back when he seemed to be lobbed. The more the half wore on the more chances White Hart made, Adam Rock coming out a clearing one, sliding out to prevent another, then minutes before half time a rather dubious decision not to flag for offside saw Adam given no chance, lobbed when rushing out for 3-2.
The second half started just like the first, Sherwood released down the left, beat the defender and squared the ball to the sliding Tommy Wong to convert the tap in. Enter Tommo for screamer number two, a neat 1-2 with Sherwood and a rasping drive into the top corner from 25 yards, John v Tommo; who wins?? You decide!
It was hat trick time soon after as two goals came in quick succession, Brett Wheeler played a 1-2 with Sherwood and then calmly slotted past the keeper for 5-2, Wheeler then turned provider as he finished a lovely passing move off by squaring the ball for Tommo to grab his 3rd. The opposition had made a series of changes and chances were a plenty, Wheeler playing in Sherwood who had his shot saved, the defenders clearing Tommo's attempt after was probably the best of the bunch. Almost immediately after this Whiteley assisted their opponents with another goal, Barber smashing the ball clear....well he thought he had only to see poor Mike Edwards standing two yards away far too late rsulting in the ball pinging back and into the net.
Sandwiched in between the goals, Whiteley had lost Dan Kerly to a nasty looking head injury due to a clash of heads, which resulted in him and Leggatt leaving the pitch and waiting for the ambulance! Having now spoken to him he is ok, sore and has 6 stitches, i told him he can have next week off.
The game became very broken due to changes, fitness and the scoreline, Wheeler grabbed his 2nd with a long range shot that the keeper thought was going wide, well he never dived and turned to usher it out. Rikki James pounced onto a Sherwood centre to score, Tommo and the keeper collided which meant they had to bring on a replacement and a very acrobatic and able replacement he turned out to be. Pulling off two superb saves within minutes of each other a brillant Danny Baker effort, and a curling James effort being turned away. There was still time for the boys to assist another goal for the opposition Wheeler flicking the ball through for a simple finish.
Full Time 9-4 Two negatives, Kerly's injury - never nice to see that, completely unfortunate and no one was at fault. The only performance negative was the loss of shape and discipline towards the end, scoreline wouldnt have helped this though, neither would fitness.
Masses of positives, passing, finishing & movement to name a few.
