After the cup run came to an end last week, Chaseside could now concentrate on opening up a gap on the bottom teams in the league. This was to start against 5th placed Shamrock. Only a few weeks ago these two sides met and it looked like Chaseside were getting the three points only to concede a late equaliser so they knew it would be possible to get a result today.
The game started off very scrappy with neither team really getting a hold on the game and after 10 minutes both keepers were left wondering why they had turned up as there was nothing to do! This soon changed as a ball was lobbed into the Shamrock box and after it was not cleared properly the keeper made a good save only to see the ball rebound back to Dean Iles who powered a shot into the bottom corner. Chaseside pushed for a second and were nearly rewarded after some great work on the right by Matt Hicks who crossed for Dean Iles only to see the ball well saved by the Shamrock keepers legs. There was some dismay in the Shamrock camp and a few little arguments appeared to spring up all over the pitch and they nearly had right to be concerned as Dean Norman went close again. After all this pressure Chaseside would have liked to have got another goal by halftime but this did not occur.
At halftime all the gaffer asked for was more of the same pressure and to put some of the chances away.
The second half started the way the first had ended and Chaseside were soon rewarded when some confusion at the back led to Paul Kanolik sneaking in, skilfully taking on 3 defenders and smashing the ball high into the top of the net. More pressure led to Shamrock giving away a soft penalty when the defender handled the ball in the area. Matt Hicks stepped up (providing cover for Karl ‘I’ve never missed a Peno’ Gostling) and confidently rolled the ball past the keeper and the post for a goal kick! Shamrock tried to make the most of the missed penalty and a rare break forward saw them have their first and last shot at goal that was easily saved. With around 10 minutes to go Chaseside were happy to knock the ball around and run the clock down. However a couple of minutes later Matt Hicks found himself in acres of space on the right and dispatched a cross on to Dean Iles head, via a defender and into the top corner. From kick off the ball was intercepted by Dean Iles who ran past 4 static Shamrock players to confidently hit a shot with the outside of the right foot into the top corner. This ended the rout and the game was confidently won.
More of the same next week please!
Up The Squirrels!
