The UNITS made it 3 wins on the spin and achieved another clean sheet in overcoming a spirited Chaddesley side this morning
Gaffer Cuzer had a few selection headaches with the returning Eggy, Darbs and Lockhart being countered by losing the loved up duo of Lacey and Chinner (Not together I hasten to add) and Tayl's and Powell absent. We lined up as follows:
Mala, Barney, Darbs (c) Kirbs, Penna, Jonah, Turner, Baker, Jay, Pountney, Marcus - Subs Eggy, Ferreira, Jim and Ross
Chaddesley lined up with a sweeper early doors and this enabled the Units to be comfortable in possession and probe for an opening whilst Chaddesley loan striker was getting no change out of Kirbs or Darbs. After a couple of close shaves we took the lead on 10 minutes when Barney was fed the ball at right back, he strode forward before dissecting the Chaddesley back line picking out Pountney who took a touch on his chest before expertly steering the ball past Pigeon in goal to put the UNITS 1-0 up
We continued to take the game to Chaddesley, some slick passing outside the 18 yard box almost found Marcus with a tap in but the defender recovered well
The midfield were all working hard and Jonah and Jay were getting a lot of joy down the flanks, a fine cross from Jay resulted in Marcus and Pountney missing the ball by inches with the goal gaping as we continued to knock the door, next up was a strong penalty shout when after a low cross Jay slid in with the ball striking the defenders hand, however the referee played on
On 35 minutes we did get a penalty when after more good work down the UNITS right the ball was drilled in and the Chaddesley defender handled, Pountney making no mistake from the spot to put us 2-0 up
Chaddesley best and only chance of the half came from a long free kick which their skipper won well but Mala made comfortable save low down to his left
HT 2-0
Despite being comfortably the better side and in control at 2-0 the next goal was always going to be crucial and Cuzer pushed the boys to go out and get it early. In the first 5 minutes of the half it should have been game over when Lockhart tried a lob when clean through which the keeper pushed round for a corner, Jonah cut inside and shot into the side netting and with players over for the pass Turner chose the wrong option and the chance went begging
Chaddesley went 4-4-2 in the second half and were happy to go front to back early yet Darbs and Kirbs were excellent at centre half, well supported by Barney and Penna as we stood firm to all Chaddesley threw at us
Marcus missed a glorious chance to put everything to bed and keep his goal a game ratio going when with the goal gaping he tried to get the ball onto his left foot, with the right one clearly for standing on as the recovering defender cleared at the death
Chaddesley were far more of a threat in the second half and as the UNITS had a sloppy 10 minutes they twice had long range efforts with one forcing a low save from Mala and the other finding the allotment!
Jim came on for Jonah as the UNITS juggled the shape a little with Ross shortly after replacing Marcus with both players putting in solid performances
The game was a battle now with Chaddesley having a good share of possession but creating little as we held firm and the UNITS happy to stretch them on the break, it was the UNITS creating the clearer chances though as Turner forced a great save at his near post from Pigeon from a Pountney corner as the killer third wouldn't come
Ferreira replaced Penna at left back who had done well on his first start of the campaign
On 85 minutes Pountney continued his excellent start to the season when he skipped past the Chaddesley full back and hung up a cross from the bye line which sailed over Pidge's head and despite Jim trying to head home from close range the ball nestled in the back of the net to give Pountney the hat-trick is all round game deserved
There was just time for Mala to roll back the years and keybabs to make a flying one handed save from a close range header, straight out of the top drawer to preserve the UNITS clean sheet and ensure for all their 2nd half improvement Chaddesley left without a goal to their name
Man of the match was a close one between Pountney, Darbs and Kirbs but it was Kirbs who got the nod after an excellent home debut at CH, alongside Darbs they barely lost a header all game against a side happy to put the ball on you at every opportunity.
On a sad note we would like to wish Stu Turner all the best in his recovery from his broken foot sustained in the game, he will be missed during his spell on the sidelines
