The UNITS took on Station in the first of a double header this morning at Brown Westhead, Cuzer had Pountney, Gilo & Hunter missing but had Trigger & Azza available for debut totalling 18 players at his disposal and lined up for the first game
Mala, Si H, Chinner, Taylor, Barney, Newton, Ashton, Coco, Acer, Azza & Ginge
Subs were Ross, Baker, Kieron P, Darbs & Trigger
Station came to us in good form so it was a little surprising to see them line up with 5 in midfield and Russ alone up top however the UNITS settled well and were quickly on the front foot
The game started crowded in midfield as you would expect but the flow of the game was towards the Station goal, Ginge was very lively up top and had our first attempt when he rolled the centre half and forced a low save from the Station keeper
Azza was being man marked but found a yard of space on 10 minutes and fired in low with the ball fizzing inches wide with the keeper beaten
On 15 minutes and against the run of play Station snatched the lead with a bit of a git on our part, a routine ball forward bounced through to Barney who attempted to flick header the ball back to Mala only for the ball to go up rather than back and leave Godfrey in the clear versus Mala. He poked the ball past Mala only for the ball to roll against the post but the on rushing Station midfielder was the quickest to react and side footed the ball into the empty net
The scoreline was harsh on the UNITS who had started well but thankfully for us we were level within 5 minutes, Acer did well to win the ball 25 yards out and he poked the ball through to Ginge who skipped past his marker and curled a fine left foot finish past the Station keeper to level things up
The UNITS should have have had a gilt edge chance to go ahead from the spot minutes later when after some neat build up play Ginge was clearly hacked down in the box as he skipped away from a challenge however the referee amazingly gave nothing, the reaction of both sets of players said it all really, should have been a penalty and the UNITS may have had the lead their first half performance deserved
HT UNITS 1 v 1 STATION
Cuzer couldn't be critical of the lads, they had done well to get themselves back in the game after conceding the early advantage and were now well on top, the message was to find an extra 10% and the result should be forthcoming
The 2nd half started how the first ended with the UNITS well on top, Newton tested the keeper from 18 yards forcing a routine save and Ginge had a shot well blocked as the ball was constantly in the Station half
10 minutes into the 2nd half and Azza was a whisker away from a debut goal when from a crossfield pass he cushioned a 15 yard volley against the post and the onrushing Newton could only knee the loose ball over from 10 yards as the Station goal continued to lead a charmed life
Shortly after Coco got in behind and was clattered by their keeper right on the edge of the box, from the free kick the keeper made a routine save from Taylors strike at goal
Ross then replaced a "Get out of Gatecrasher" Coco and within 5 minutes Rossco had forced the Station keeper into the save of the game when from an Azza cross he volleyed towards the bottom corner from 8 yards and their keeper tipped the ball round the post, top save
Baker then replaced Ashton with one eye on the 2nd game but despite their best endeavours the UNITS couldn't force a winner in a game when they had been the dominant force, the penalty decision being the big talking point as it really was a stone waller and Station had got away with one
Man of the match went to Ginge who scored a great goal but led the line superbly and asked questions of Station all game
Cuzer
