EAST RIDING COUNTY PREMIER LEAGUE
CAVE CRUMBLES UNDER WOODIES DOMINANCE
SOUTH CAVE 1 AFC WOODLANDS 2
Last Saturday saw second placed Woodlands travel to top of the League South Cave in what turned out to be a well deserved victory to send Woodlands top of the league. The first half saw the Woodlands playing up the slight incline with the wind also blowing a gail into there faces. However the Goole side adapted to the conditions playing some great football all starting from the back with Kinghorn and Clark at the elm. The midfield was the telling factor as Constable, Gibbon, Woodall and Heywood were no match for there counterparts at times as the Goole side got to grips with the Cave midfield. It was the same story up front as the Cave defence seemed frightened of the Woodies front two of Davidson and Gill and it was Gill who should have put is team in front after 15 minutes but blasted high over the bar from 12 yards out. It was one of them chances which the Woodlands have come across a lot this season as composure in front of goal was none existent yet again. Cave started to use the wind to good affect knocking the long ball into the box, however Kinghorn, Harrison and Clark defended brilliantly throughout the first half clearing thee lines. Cave looked to try and beat Stannard from distance but saw there shots sail high and wide. The first 45 minutes ended goal less with Munday the Woodies manager more than happy with his team’s performance. The second half saw the Woodies attack from the off with Constable firing in a ferocious shot which nearly caught the keeper unaware. The goal wasn’t long in coming though as Woodall sent in a beautiful flighted ball into the box for Davidson who showed great composure in bringing the ball down at the far post with the keeper bearing down on him and several players he side stepped a couple of players before smashing the ball into the roof of the net to give the Goole side a deserved lead. Cave had no answer for the dominance of the Woodlands midfield with Woodall and Constable outstanding throughout. Gibbon the Woodlands captain then showed why he’s still one of the best talents in amateur football with a piece of magic. As the Cave keeper took goal kick it fell to the feet of Gibbon who from 40 yards out brought the ball down on his chest and in one move volleyed the ball home into the net over the helpless keeper who was left in a heap on the floor. At 2-0 the Woodlands were in total control with Cave not at the races. Then controversy when a Cave defender passed the ball back to his keeper who was coming out of his goal. The player chipped his own keeper only for it to bounce and hit the cross bar back into the keeper’s arms. A free kick to the Woodlands it should have been but the ref said had other ideas. The keeper then from his resulting kick up field saw his player clean through on goal only for Lee Harrison to put in a great last ditch tackle to clear the ball. A great tackle by any standards however the referee deemed this as a tackle from behind and gave a penalty and yet only showed Harrison a yellow. Thw3 Woodlands players surrounded the referee yet again claiming it was a great tackle. Also stating if the referee thought it was a tackle from behind Harrison asking the question why haven’t you sent me off then. Up stepped the Cave striker who only just managed to took the ball away under the body of Stannard in goal. Cave now back in the game with 10 minutes to go saw Andrew and Huntington introduced for the Woodlands for the tiring Gill and Heywood. A nail biting last 10 minutes ended up been 20 minutes as the referee for some reason play more time added on then ever. The Woodlands though rode the storm and should have scored a third with another rasping shot from Constable narrowly going wide. A great all round team performance was greeted with cheers at the final whistle by the Woodlands travelling army of supporters as the goole side leap frogged over South Cave to take over top spot in the league. Ellwood Electricals Man of the Match award went to Stuart Clark who was outstanding throughout. The Woodlands would like to thank Keith at the Woodlands for his continuing support and to Roger Ellwood for his kind sponsorship.
