After last week's 5-3 win against Coventry Artifical Turf the Old Clarence Reserves were high on confidence and up for this tie today.
Manager Kev O'Neil was forced in to making a few changes from that winning side due to different reasons.
Pete Baldyga returned in goal after coming back from injury, Craig Lloyd returned after 4 weeks out back to a familiar Centre back role, Bradley Hamilton started at right mid and in centre midfield Mark Flintcroft replacing captian Pete Riv who picked up a slight knock in the previous week.
The game started off with the old Clarence kicking off right to left on a cold morning.
It was a scrappy start to the game with both teams unable to keep possession of the ball. When Clarence had the ball they looked to go left or right communicating with each other well which let Mana Gill (Jay) and Bradley see quite alot of the ball early on.
The ball was played from right to left which found Jay who cut inside and went on got to the edge of the box and play a very clever ball through to Mike who was aloud space because of Taylor Murray run had fooled defenders. All Mike had to do was keep his calm and put the ball away but instead blazed it over.
There were alot of long balls played with Taylor and Mike making runs proving to be difficult for for the Festivals defence as they had to man handle and push the strikers at any chance given! The referee was poor in many of these instances waving away alot of should of been fouls.
The back four had done what was needed in the opening stages winning headers, clearing when needed and most importantly offering for the ball and passing off with ease how ever there were a few errors from Dan hall but he never gave up and got back to help the defenders make amends for these signs of a good defence that have each others back.
The two centre midfielders Lee Rowland and Mark Flintcroft battled hard in the middle against the midfield three from the festival and we're more than a match against them especially when getting forward and back.
At around 15 mins kev switched the wingers to put Jay back on his favoured right foot and allow Bradley more space on the left side.
This immediately shown with Bradley picking up the ball on the left wing carried it towards the edge of the area cut inside and ghosted past a couple of players and was unlucky not to see his effort trouble the keeper.
The Clarence was controlling the game when the festival broke through the centre with there striker taking a shot which was saved well by Pete turning it around for a corner.
This is where the festival took the lead the ball was crossed in with the festival player loosing his marker and putting his header past Pete who had no chance. This was a cheap goal of the Clarence to concede.
18th minute 0-1
For the next 15 minutes both teams had chances and there was lot of the ball being won and lost in the middle of the park.
A ball was then played through the middle again which caught the Clarence defence on there heels, scrambling back with the striker looking to be in the better position when a challenge was put it and the ball dropped back with quite a few players from both sides going in for the ball mark flintcroft got there first and got a foot to it but ball went back towards Pete who did well coming out to pick the ball up the tale the heat out of the move. This is when the referee then blew for a back pass which enraged the Clarence players and sideline.
Festival Fc now had a glorious chance from a free kick inside the Clarence box. Every Clarence player minus the strikers were back the wall was lined up about 10 yards in from there own goal line. Unfortunately this was not enough for the Clarence and a well hit shot found the back of the net!
34th minute 0-2
The game then went back to the Clarence battling hard and controlling the game but then Luke Callen received the ball took a heavy touch which let the festival winger in, this looked very dangerous for the Clarence with the defence trying to get back luke caught up with the winger slid in and took the player out even if he did touch the ball. The referee blew straight up and pulled out his cards and brandished a yellow. Some would argue Luke could have quite easily walk for the challenge.
It was much of the same for the remainder of the half.
Half time 0-2
The Clarence felt aggrieved going in at this score line as it could of scored 2/3 goals them selves.
The Manager Kev O'Neil gave a team talk and told the lads to keep going the way we are keep working hard they were doing the right things and the goal will come.
This bouyed the team on and went out ready for second half.
The first 15 mins was much of the same with the Clarence easily controlling affairs but not being able to capitalise.
60th minute substitution. Pete Riv replaces Mark Flintcroft who worked endlessly for the Clarence Reserves being involved in much of the play throughout.
Pete impacted straight away with his hassling the festival players for the ball non stop.
65th minute substitution. Ian Coulton replaces Taylor Murray who made some very good runs working hard but was not his day infront of goal and will be looking to add to his tally when Clarence face up next.
Ian Coulton and Pete Riv made impacts with Ian competing in the air to win most arieral battles.
The ball was picked up by Lee who played a simple ball to Riv who carried the ball forward checked inside on the edge on the box where it opened up, Riv was urged to shoot by the sideline and players around him to which he truly obliged. Riv scuffed his shot and as it flew to what was looking wide it took a 'slight' deflection which wrong footed the keeper and hit the back of the net! This was what the Clarence needed but most importantly deserved.
63rd minute 1-2
This spurred the Clarence on massively and got stuck in straight away dominating in every department when Lee played a great ball to Ian who got through with a Festival defender hot on his heels looked to place it bottom corner but slipped just as he shot seeing his effort go wide
The Festival then pushed to restore there 2 goal lead and won a corner there corner came in and was cleared out and dropped to Ian who was in a lot of space and was called by Mike who had started to make a run, Ian put a left foot over the top through ball in a area for Mike to compete, Mike pace was to much for the Festivals defence who got muddled up which let Mike tuck the ball away!
The Clarence celebrated with this well deserved equaliser and festivals heads drop. The Clarence felt a win was on the cards.
70th minute 2-2
72nd minute Substitution Kiefer Jones replaces Bradley Hamilton who enjoyed a run out in a much prefered position and has given Kev O'Neil a headache in that position now.
It was not long before the Clarence took there deserved lead, Jay took the throw it Ian flicked on the header which the festival failed to clear it bobbled about dropped.to Lee who played it to Mike who back heeled the ball into the net like his boots name sake would do with ease! #CR7
76th minute 3-2.
The Clarence knew this was not to be taken lightly and festival attacked hard to try and get back into the game Chris Storey, Chris Lloyd, Luke Callen and Dan Hall all put the body on the line getting infront of shots that peppered the goal and clearing a concession of corners the defence were solid and definitely wanting not to concede again, Dan hall improved more and more as the game went on as were Storey and Lloydy who were solid together. Callen who made important challenges and Kiefer Jones also working hard up and down the wing not forgetting his defensive duties. The Clarence weathered this storm from festival by fighting for each other and also some great saves from Pete Baldyga to keep the Clarence in front. This was by far the most important part of the game where ever Clarence player stood up to be counted for.
The Clarence then hit the festival on a counter attack and won a throwin in-line with the Festivals box which was took quickly Ian again flicked the header on which went high in the air. The ball dropped with Mike competing and bringing it down well turning the defender where Ian was there and struck the ball in the the corner it was well left by Mike.
83rd minute 4-2
Three mins later the festival sent the ball forward which dropped to Dan hall who seen Ian run early and sent the ball over the top, Ian watched the ball come over brought it down and away from the competing defender and took an early shot across the advancing keeper which was saved well but the ball dropped out to Ian again who made no mistake the second time!
86th minute 5-2
The Clarence saw the rest of the game out with ease for a well deserved win!
90th minute Full Time 5-2
Back to back wins in two great performance on the fortress at Bishop Ullathorne.
The Old Clarence Reserves now have a two week break which has come at the wrong time but won't get there heads down. They will work hard and be prepared for there next affair.
Well done to all involved today this shows how much the reserves are moving forward as a squad and most importantly a team, one month a go the reserves would of buckled but true grit and determination was on show today. Two weeks in a row Clarence Reserves have beaten teams who expect to beat the Clarence Reserves and have both said we deserved to win.
