Today saw Droitwich Sports take on Coppertops Athletic from the Worcester Prem in their second friendly of the pre-season. The approach was clear from the management with the message being that the game was part of a learning curve that the team are on and a test to see where we are currently. Our approach was to work very hard and try to be organised as possible and accept that they would have a lot more of the ball at times, but to restrict them to having it in positions that didn’t hurt us.
Sports started really well and settled into the game cautiously as we didn’t want to gift anything to a higher opponent. The work rate and organised formation of Sports definitely confused and frustrated Coppertops and we were able to deal with everything that they threw at us. Coppertops only having 1 or 2 shots all half. It was Sports that went in 1-0 up after an accurate strike from Matt Purser on the turn found the bottom corner. Sports had managed to push up the pitch and had won a throw in level with the Coppertops penalty area. Gaz Williams launched it into the box and the ball fell nicely for Purser on the turn after an initial flick. In fact Sports could have gone in at half time 2-0 up when Jamie Owens ran through 1 on 1 with their keeper but didn’t have the composure to finish off.
Half time message was to keep working hard but to try and keep hold of the ball a little more when we were in possession and be more confident. Sports managed to stifle the opposition still and after they over played found both Owens and Purser chasing down a poor back pass to their keeper. Owens went round the keeper and then both players got in each others way resulting in Purser being ruled offside with an open goal waiting for either of them. Chance missed for Sports to again go 2-0 up.
Coppertops pulled level after a quick throw in caught Sports sleeping and not following runners. Tom Kings raced out to the ball as it bounced into the box but was beaten with the Coppertops player heading over him to level the game. Coppertops then took control of the game and Sports were hardly out of their own half for the last 15 minutes, but kept premium chances to a minimum. Coppertops stole the win with what looked like a very soft penalty after Taylor tried shepherding the ball out for a goal kick. With only approx 5 minutes remaining the game was effectively over. A last minute corner had both entire teams in the Coppertops penalty area and a scramble nearly resulted in a last gasp equaliser, but it wasn’t to be.
Despite the result another pleasing performance against an established Prem side. With still 3 more games to season starts things are looking good if the level of performances continue every week.
