Chaseside changed the formation this week to the previously tried 3-5-2 and it seemed to work well from the off. Everyone got stuck in early on and there seemed to be a lot more communication and passes were finding their destinations. The two Deans upfront were causing all sorts of problems to the Kartechnic centre backs with their pace and kept playing off the shoulder of the last defender. After 15 minutes the deadlock was broken and after a great ball from Paul Kanolik, Dean Norman slotted into the corner of the net. Normally this would result in opposition pressure but Chaseside were on the top of their game and within 5 minutes had doubled their lead. The two Deans combined and this time Dean Iles finished calmly into the goal. This started a few arguments within the opposition ranks and they started to panic under pressure. After a mistake at the back Dean Iles capitalised and after a nice bit of skill played the ball back across the box and with Dean Norman waiting to tap into the net, a Kartechnic defender got to the ball first only to turn the ball passed the stranded keeper. This made it 3-0 to the Wanderers and Kartechnic looked like they were about to give up and the floodgates would open. After some more great passing, opportunities were being carved open time and time again but to no avail. A quick clearance then fell to the Kartechnic left back who cut inside and sent s screamer flying into the net from around 35 yards which Stuart could do nothing about and still had not touched the ball! 10 minutes passed and the game turned into a midfield battle with neither side able to create any clear cut chances before the half time whistle.
After half time the mood was still positive and the team came out expecting more of the first half, this was not to be. Kartechnic made a couple of changes and swapped the formation around which posed a more attack minded threat. Chaseside were under constant pressure for the first 10 minutes and only some good saves from Stuart kept them out. A half cleared corner was the downfall for the second Kartechnic goal and after the ball was played back in Stuart made not one, not two but three excellent reflex saves which unfortunately then looped into the air and into the unmanned net. Chaseside’ heads were then down and a change needed to be made. Adam Moore came on for the excellent but tired Jason Reed and the formation was changed to 4-4-2. This worked well as Kartechnic were starting to work the wings well and this snuffed out the danger from their 2 wing backs. Chaseside seemed to get a second wind and started to play their football again and after a great through ball by Chris Bryant, Tom Collins needed two attempts to put the ball past the keeper. Confidence restored Chaseside could have put 3 more chances away before Paul Kanolik cut inside and crossed the ball to Dean Iles who took one touch and volleyed into the top corner with his left foot from 20 yards. The referees whistle went soon after this and Chaseside’ strong team character showed through a tough second half. To be fair it could have easily been 9 or 10 but Chaseside finished up with a good 5-2 win and are through to the second round of the cup.
Up The Squirrels
