Normal 0 false false false MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) } Style Definitions table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} SPARTANS CORNERED BY LATE VIPERS ONSLAUGHT
Monkton Vipers 7-0 FC Sparta Knights (HT: 0-0)
By Jeff Marshall
Starting line-up: Agar; Gargett, Marshall; Brown, Coates, Catley; Mitchell.
Subs: Reed, Ferguson, Collins.
Goals: Collins (2), Reed (2), Coates, Own Goal (2).
A delayed return to action for Division One’s ‘First Most Outstanding Team’ in the league that dared not speak its name. But now, loud and proud, there’s a real title to play for and the Vipers are strongly fancied.
While the playing surface had just about survived the torrential overnight rain, Mason Mitchell just about survived the gentle warm-up after a tackle from father and coach, Chris, ricocheted the ball into his face. The task of replacing the departed Joe Mitchell in a lone striking role was tough enough without the added burden of not knowing entirely where he was!
Coach Catley had suffered many a sleepless night mulling over the problem of adjusting his team’s style to overcome the absence of Mitchell – so adept with his back to goal, coercing the free-running midfield marauders to feed on his lay-offs. His namesake (no relation) so dangerous facing goal and running at defenders – bustling, short strides - from deeper positions. Max Brown deputised on the right side of midfield.
Was it the early kick off that gave the match the feeling of a pre-season friendly, or was the sparse crowd stunned by the rare appearance of an official dressed for the purpose of refereeing rather than household DIY?
To their credit, Sparta – or is it the ‘tenth most outstanding team’? – hustled and harried in numbers as the Vipers lacked cohesion; while it remained goalless the green and blacks, generally far from potent at the other end, had reason to sustain their energy. Marshall and Gargett were quietly efficient at the back for Vipers, but not seriously tested.
The best chance of the half fell to Coates, but his left foot effort struck the right post with nobody following up. Two minutes later, early season rustiness cost the Vipers the chance to go ahead: interplay between Mitchell and Coates sent the latter through on goal, the keeper parried, but again nobody was there to pounce.
Dominating territorially, chances occurred for the Vipers through sheer pressure rather than craft and guile. Brown took the situation into his own hands, powering out of defence on a 30 yard run down the right before releasing Coates whose shot was parried for a corner.
Coach Catley, sternly prowling the touchline, made a triple substitution: Reed, Ferguson and alliterative debutant, Callum Collins, replaced Brown, Catley jnr, and Mitchell.
Renowned for brave decision-making, the Bald Eagle’s tactical acumen almost brought instant reward as Gargett released the forward running Reed, but as he prepared to shoot the Spartans gathered to snuff out the danger. Just before the interval, Reed received the ball after a typically strong challenge from Ferguson who was played back in, but again the shot was blocked.
During the interval the Sparta fans revelled in their team’s passionate effort, while their Vipers counterparts prayed that the yellow and reds would grow into the match quicker than they will grow into their gleaming new kit. Ferguson’s untucked shirt enabled him to combine the roles of defensive rock with a passable impression of Wee Willie Winkie. What price the next item of club wear being a nightcap? In this image-conscious age it’s important that one accessorises appropriately, right girls? Matthew ‘mud magnet’ Agar in the Vipers goal, a spectator throughout, could have donned the sleepwear and knocked out a few zeds without too much fear.
Two minutes into the second half the breakthrough came directly from a corner on the right, squeezing in at the near post, courtesy of the left boot of Coates. If the floodgates hadn’t burst open during the overnight torrent they were about to be flung apart. The second followed seconds later – Coates corner, in off a defender’s shin from close range.
On eighteen minutes, in the first real flowing move of the match, the ball zipped across the field in mesmerising zig-zags. Players’ confidence and the Bald Eagle’s heart rate restored to normality, Coates’ corner kick made its way through to Collins who scored from close-range.
Points in the bag, the Vipers supremo shuffled the pack again, and with immediate impact: drilled corner from Reed, bullet header from the bespectacled Collins, bulging net, delighted debutant. 4-0.
Reed’s skill from the corner quadrant was the equal of the substituted Coates, this time panicking a Sparta defender into kneeing the ball past his own keeper. Five second half goals in ten minutes, all from corners.
Catley, tigerish and unselfish, supported the play well throughout. A long range effort from Brown was safely gathered by the keeper before James Reed added two late goals – the first a cool finish after latching on to a loose ball; the second a pleasing cross-shot placed coolly into the far corner.
So, job done by the rampant Vipers who must get into their stride much faster in the weeks ahead to avoid coming unstuck against stronger opposition.
Eagle said…
“Too slow to start – I think you were all still in bed. Much better second half.”
Rumbled…Chris ‘too busy to do the match reports’ Mitchell.
Aye, those rounds of golf take up so much time, don’t they mate?! ;o)
What next?
A tough test against table-toppers, Hebburn Town Gold (five wins from five games). 9am start, 8.30am meet.
