Stronstad Utd vs Real Richelle (Cup) 19th September 2010
Match Facts
· Real Richelle are currently in Division 1 and have lost their last two games
· Stronstad Utd have not beaten Real Richelle in the last 3 meetings between these sides.
First Half Actions from Park Community College
The opening exchanges of the match were a cagey affair with both teams giving away easy possession away to their opponents.
At first Stronstad looked a little nervous against playing against a higher team with simple 5 and 10 yard passing being miss placed but once the Maroon army got the ball down they started to play some excellent football with James Clarke being committed as usual and Dave George playing his second game of the season looking to get his foot onto the ball and dictate the play. At the other end Stronstad could have been 1-0 down after a mistake from Rich Gillam who’s attempted header back to Paul McKay was intercepted but the Real Richelle player failed to hit the target but found the outside of the net.
At the other end Stronstad should have taken the lead as Dan Moore collected a through ball and was left one-on-one with the Real Richelle keeper but he pulled his shot wide of the target to the disappointment of the Stronstad team. Yet more chances came and went with Gareth Spicer taking aim from 25 yards out but his effort on his left foot cleared the bar. Dave George then almost put Stronstad ahead. James Clarke was fouled 25 yards from goal and from the resulting free kick he bent a great free kick that had the Real Richelle keeper beaten but the ball clipped the outside of the post and out for a goal kick.
Back at the other end Real Richelle had won a series of throw in and corners in dangerous positions and from one of the throw ins Paul ‘Macca’ McKay misjudged the flight of the ball which allowed the Real Richelle player to head towards goal but his goal bound header was cleared off the line by Rich Gillam and the danger was cleared. Paul McKay then had to be at his best when a thunder bolt shot was heading into the roof of the net but Paul McKay managed to turn the ball over for a corner kick.
Stronstad then went into the lead with a well worked goal. Stronstad had worked the ball down the Real Richelle right and after Dave George laid the ball off to Rich Gillam who fired in a high cross to the far post where Ian Privett and the Real Richelle keeper challenged for the ball. The keeper dropped the ball and Ian Privett volleyed home from close range to make the score 1-0 and give Ian Privett his 2nd goal of the season.
Stronstad were putting more pressure on Real Richelle and they almost got a 2nd goal as a corner from Ian Privett was cleared from under his own bar by a Real Richelle player at the far post when two Stronstad players were threatening.
Second Half
The second half was only minutes old when Stronstad should have had a second goal. A flowing move saw the ball played through to Dan Moore who went through on goal but his shot was saved and as the ball rolled towards goal a Real Richelle player got in just before Dan Moore and cleared the danger. Soon after this chance it was soon 2-0 to Stronstad Utd.
Rich Gillam collected the ball in the left back position before firing a well flighted ball through the centre of the field over the Real Richelle defence to Ian Privett who let the ball bounce before flicking the ball over the Real Richelle goalkeeper and into the back of the net to make the score 2-0 and put Stronstad into the comfort zone.
Real Richelle were using the wind to their advantage in the second half but a well marshalled central defensive partnership of Jeff Needham and captain Gareth Spicer limited the Real Richelle team to long shots which failed to test Paul McKay. It was almost 3-0 to Stronstad as Gary Cowell collected the ball before delivering a world class ball over the top of the Real Richelle defence to Dan Moore who controlled the ball but his effort flew over the bar from around the edge of the penalty area.
Still more chances came and went from the mighty Stronstad as first Luke Roystone fired over when teed up by Rod Robertson and then Ian Privett could have completed his hat trick as Dan Moore charged down the Real Richelle keeper which saw the ball fall to Ian Privett but his effort at an open goal from outside the penalty area flew wide.
The best header of the day award goes to Jon Way as a diagonal ball to the edge of the penalty area saw substitute Jon Way throw himself through the air to produce a great diving header back to his own goalkeeper Paul McKay to stop another Real Richelle attack.
Stronstad were looking comfortable but they knew 1 goal back for Real Richelle could mean trouble for the Maroon army and the best chance for Real Richelle came as substitute Roger Campbell barged into a Real Richelle player in the box to concede a penalty with 5 minutes left on the clock. From the resulting penalty Paul McKay threw himself across his goal to turn the ball away and the danger was cleared to preserve the 2-0 lead.
The ball then went down the other end with Roger Campbell who had got ahead of the Stronstad strikers but he ran out of steam and a covering Real Richelle defender managed to get a block in and clear the danger. Jon Way tried his luck from 30 yards out but his effort bounced several times before the ball went out for a goal kick.
Full Time:- Real Richelle 0 Stronstad Utd 2
Next up for Stronstad Utd is a league game against Icomm FC. Details to follow.
Well played Stronstad!!!!!!
Worse performance and the pink socks award goes to Dan Moore
Man of the match picked by Abbie Way goes to Gareth Spicer
