The UNITS got their Division 1 campaign underway against old nemesis Royal Exchange on a bright sunny morning at Brown Westhead. The pitch was far from good with loads of dead grass left on it and also Cuzer found himself with only 13 to choose from due to a combination of holidays and injuries. Four players made their UNITS debut as we lined up Tom, DJ, Gilo, Sean, Barney, Taylor, Baker, Ashton, Jim, Seeks and Pountney. Subs were Chinner and Kieron Power
The UNITS could have been ahead within 20 seconds when from the kick off some sloppy play at the back by Exchange resulted in Pountney picking up the ball, feeding Seeks who had a goal bound shot blocked by the centre half for a corner. Pountney took the corner which was cleared back to him and this time he whipped in a deep ball and Millette headed into the side netting from a tight angle. The UNITS had settled well and were working hard all over the pitch, Exchange were struggling to get anything going in the game. On 15 minutes the UNITS came within a whisker of taking the lead, we won a kick some 30 yards out and DJ whipped in a delightful ball between the back line and the keeper, skipper Taylor ran onto the ball and powered a header goal wards only for the Exchange keeper to make a great save on the line and a combination of Pountney and Taylor couldn't force the loose ball over the line.
Exchange's first and only chance of note in the first half came on 25 minutes when from a free kick which was helped on their wide player volleyed over from a tight angle as Tom came out to challenge. On the half hour mark the UNITS came close again when Seeks poked the ball through to Pountney in the box who lobbed the ball over the advancing keeper but his shot cleared the bar by inches. Exchange should have been down to 10 men shortly after. A horror challenge from their midfielder, studs up above the knee on Seeks provoked an angry reaction from all the UNITS, the referee amazingly only showing a yellow card for what was a straight red challenge. However the UNITS finally got in front on 40 minutes when DJ took a quick throw to Ashton who played a first time ball in behind the full back to the on-rushing Gilo who slammed the ball past the keeper from 15 yards to put the UNITS 1-0 up, no more than our overall play deserved
HT Units 1 v 0 Royal Exchange
Cuzer was pleased with the first half endeavour, the lads were asked to keep the work rate up, especially through midfield and chances would come. It was, or so we thought, 2-0 on the 50 minute mark when Jim did well to win the ball, strode forward slid in Lewis who finished superbly past the keeper, the Exchange lino had flagged for offside, the referee ignored it, gave the goal correctly and pointed back to the centre circle, then for some reason spoke to the lino and changed his mind. It was a goal all day long and the UNITS were denied the cushion of the 2nd goal. Thankfully we didn't have to wait too long for the 2nd when DJ showed great feet just outside the Exchange box and was brought down some 20 yards from goal, Pountney strode up and bent the ball round the wall and out of reach from the Exchange keeper 2-0.
The whole team were working their socks off, Taylor was marshalling the back line superbly, and Baker having been thrown into the midfield after hardly playing for the last 4 weeks was mopping up superbly and up top Seeks and Pountney was causing Exchange all sorts of problems. Seeks should have made it 3-0 on 70 minutes when he was released clean through yet unlike him his touch was heavy and the keeper saved at his feet. Shortly after Pountney was caught late on the touchline and was replaced by Kieron and Chinner replaced Barney. The last 15 minutes the UNITS were happy to play on the break, sat a little deep and soaked up what Exchange could throw at them. Exchange now went direct at every opportunity, one header from their tall striker dropped on top of the cross bar and Tom was called upon to make two smart saves as they huffed and puffed for a way back into the game, we however were always dangerous on the break and as the full time whistle sounded it was the UNITS who were clear and deserved winners 2-0
All the players were superb today, we probably should have won by 1 or 2 more over the 90 minutes but the work rate, closing down and defending by the team was excellent
Man of the match went to DJ on debut who was superb both in attack and defence and had a hand in both goals.
Next up the UNITS travel to Taverners who recorded a fine win of their own today, turning over West Hagley 6-2.
