Thrum Hall travelled to Todmorden for pre-season game number 3 against Woodhouse FC with various new faces in their camp. With original starters Luke Hand and Josh Bradley suffering injuries, changes had to be made to the starting 11, in came Ash Smethurst and debutant Connor Shapland to join Andy Hemblys and Regan Martin in a midfield Diamond. With 2 of the 3 centre backs from last week unavailable, Lee Gallagher moved from midfield into a back 4 with Ash Shepherd, Ben Coates and Rick Needham. Jay Clissitt had been pushed up from a supporting role to play alongside Jonathan Gibson in Thrum Halls attack. Starting between the sticks this week was Joe Hoyle, who was looking to make amends for last weeks mistake against King Cross.
Thrum Hall started the game on the front foot when after only 2 minutes in, Regan carried the ball from midfield right into the opposition area to see his resulting shot hit the post. The Snakes continued to keep control of the game with sleek one touch passing in the midfield and choosing the right moments to move forward and put crosses into the danger area or having long range efforts at goal. The home team started to find their way into the game after 15 minutes as their wingers got on the ball and started to run at Thrum halls defence, this resulted in a mistake at the back and the Woodhouse centre forward took the ball around Keeper Joe Hoyle but saw his shot cleared off the line by heroic Lee Gallagher.
Thrum Hall got back on the attack soon after and continued to run the majority of the first half and when they were put under pressure, it was dealt with impeccably a strong green back line. Regan, Connor and Jay were replaced midway through the first half by Jack, Jan and Jaiden to make their debuts and it didn’t take Jack long to make an impact, a through ball from Rick Needham found Jan Balika and he played the ball to Gibby who put it on a plate for Jack to stroke the ball past the keeper to give Thrum Hall a 1-0 lead. That lead only lasted 3 minutes as Thrum Halls defence switched off for the first time and The Woodhouse man was through on goal and his shot found the bottom corner.
At Half time it was 1-1. Jack, Jaiden, Lee, Joe and Rick came off for Regan, Connor, Jay, Marcus and Daniel Hoyle. This meant Thrum Halls shape changed to a familiar formation of 3 at the back which looked to have an instant impact as a long ball forward saw the keeper out of his comfort zone and he brought down Regan which meant the referee had no choice but to point to the spot. Gibby converted the penalty with ease. Like the first goal, Woodhouse replied instantly when a long-range effort from midfield, Thrum Hall were caught on their heels and the ball was rifled into the top corner. Thrum Hall had to defend several set pieces after that as Woodhouse were on the attack constantly to look to gain the lead but Thrum Hall defended well most notably through Ben and Andy Hemblys. Behind the defensive line was the booming voice of Daniel ‘Tap-end’ Hoyle behind them to punch and smother the ball on numerous occasions.
Thrum Hall tried to get back into the game as Jan and Gibby worked their socks off for the team winning corners and making themselves a nuisance constantly for Woodhouse. Jan come off for Jaiden after 70 minutes and Thrum Hall moved again to 4 at the back pushing an extra man into the midfield to try and replicate their dominance early in the first half. A corner was awarded to Woodhouse with 15 minutes to go, the corner was scuffed to the near post and as Connor challenged the man on the front post the ball was deflected off them both into the goal and Woodhouse had the advantage for the first time.
Joe came on for Connor after the Woodhouse goal and he was called straight into action as he made a slide tackle to stop another Woodhouse attack as they were looking to kill the game. Lee and Jan were given another run out in the last 10 minutes in place of Marcus and Ash Smethurst to try and affect the game but in the end, it was too little too and the final whistle blew with the final score at 3-2 to Woodhouse. Positives were taken from the game and the wrongs will look to be righted in the game next week.
