The UNITS returned to winning ways this morning with a hard fought but ultimately deserved victory against Areley Kings
The UNITS squad was stretched to the limits this morning with skipper Taylor having to work, Kirby out injured, Lacey unaivalable and Pountney & Ashton playing through the pain barrier as we lined up as follows
Mala, Chinner, Barney, Eggy, Darbs, Ashton, Baker, Coco, Ross, Marcus & Pountney
Subs were Jim, Penna, Turner & Ash
The UNITS were keen to right the wrongs of last weeks defeat at Kewford and started like a steam train laying siege to the Areley goal, within 5 minutes we had had 3 attempts on target and on 7 minutes we took the lead when Coco had a shot blocked, Ashton chased down the ball to the byeline and did exceptionally well to beat two men before having a shot from 6 yards saved, then two follow ups cleared off the line before Darbs poked the ball home from close range to put us in front
Areley had barely got our of their half in the first 15 minutes and the UNITS kept attacking, on 10 minutes a Coco corner was headed over a gaping net by Darbs from 6 yards out but on 12 minutes some good work by Chinner fed the ball to Pountney on the edge of the box who was pushed in the back just inside the area and the referee pointed to the spot. Areley could have had no complaints should the UNITS have gone 2-0 up but Pountneys low penalty was pushed away by the Areley keeper
Ross had the full back on toast, Marcus was leading the line superbly and Ashton & Baker were well on top in the middle of the park yet as per last week the oppositions first shot on target resulted in a goal when Chinner clipped their wide player and the Areley forward bent a 25 yard free kick around the wall & into the bottom corner, Mala just getting a hand to the shot
The rest of the half was more even but it was the UNITS still creating the chances, the Areley keeper making a wonderful double save on 40 minutes firstly diving full length to keep out a 20 yarder destined for the bottom corner and then making a better save from the rebound with Coco's shot arrowing towards the top corner
Half Time UNITS 1 v Areley Kings 1
The UNITS were a little flat at half time as it felt a case of "here we go again" we had played well, been clearly the better side yet found ourselves level. Cuzer encouraged them to keep going, keep the work rate and the rewards should come
The 2nd half started evenly, credit to Areley you couldn't fault their work rate but they were creating little in way of chances whilst at the other end Pountney & Marcus forced their keeper into routine saves
Just after the hour mark Jim replaced Pountney with Ashton going up top and Ash replaced Ross who had picked up a calf strain
Within 10 minutes the change had paid divdends when Ash did well down the right before crossing into the danger zone, Coco laid the ball back to Ashton who fired in a 20 yarder giving the Areley keeper no chance
Areley then added some pace to their attack and looked to put pressure on the UNITS back four but all the defenders kept to their jobs and restricted Areley to some possession but no clear chances
Marcus did well on the edge of the box before firing inches wide from 20 yards as the UNITS looked for that killer third goal, Coco again went close as did Ashton
Turner replaced Ashton who had had a fine game playing through the pain barrier inside the last 10 as the UNITS looked to see out the game
Areley forced Mala into a low save deep into injury time and the resulting corner was headed away by Marcus as the referee blew for full time and the UNITS deservedly got back to winning ways
Man of the match went to Ashton who put in an excellent performance and earned every penny of his £75 a game match fee
Cuzer
