TS UNITS 2 v 1 Wolverley Athletic
The UNITS returned to their home pitch for a local derby against fellow strugglers Wolverley Athletic Cuzer was rocked by a host of absentees as we had no Azza, Tayl's Pountney, Luke, Gilo and Winny was suspended as we mustered 14 and lined up Mozza, Clarkey, Chinner, Jamo, Tonka, Baker, Ryan, Leon, Coco, Jim & Ashton Subs were Trigger, Rob & Si
The opening stages were competitive with both sides getting stuck in, for the UNITS they were seeing plenty of the ball but Ashton was isolated too much in the shape which gave the impetus to the visitors Clear chances were at a premium, Ashton shot wide from long range before Jim put in a great ball which was itching to be turned home but Wolverley scrambled clear, at the other end Mozza was largely untested but Wolverley were finding good areas 15 in and from nowhere the visitors took the lead with a smart goal, from a UNITS free kick we were caught short high up the pitch, Wolverley broke and threaded the ball through to their lively striker, with half of the UNITS back four stepping up and half trying to track the player there was space for him to run into which he did and slotted home well past Mozza from just inside the box and Wolverley took an early lead 1-0 The UNITS tried hard to get back into the game, Jamo and Tonka went close from corners as Jim and Coco started to get some joy down the flanks before on 25 minutes we were level, or so we thought when Jamo rose highest to head Coco's corner goalward, the ball being parried into the net by the keeper, a good yard if not more over the line but the referee played on, it was clearly over the line and the visitors had got away with one Thankfully it wasn't to prove too costly as 35 minutes in we did level up, we were causing problems from set pieces and this time Tonka caused mayhem before the ball came back to him and he was clattered in the box, clear penalty and Ashton calmly slotted home to level thins up at 1-1 The UNITS well below their best were happy to be on level terms, which was about fair on the balance of play with neither side displaying much quality but both working hard, Baker shot wide approaching half time as we finished the game slightly stronger but came in at HT 1-1
UNITS 1 v 1 Wolverley
A few stern words were dished out at half time due to the UNITS not taking on the pre game plan and nobody playing to the level expected but we were in the game against a side we felt we could get at, with this in mind Cuzer changed an out of sorts Leon for Trigger as went 4-4-2
Wolverley no doubt stung by a few harsh words from their gaffer started the 2nd half on the front foot but again testament to the UNITS back line they created little in the way of clear chances 10 minutes into the half though we started to get on top, Baker and Ryan were winning the midfield battle and by having Trigger up with Ashton we had more outlet balls and were turning Wolverley on a frequent basis Trigger did well on the hour mark exchanging passes with Ashton and shot across the face of goal from a tight angle, no UNIT on hand to turn home the loose ball, Jamo then headed towards the back stick from a corner with Tonka inches away from turning the ball home as we were now in the ascendancy With the pace up top Wolverley were always a threat but we were dealing with it much better than the first half and they were very much playing on the counter now Coco was having a fine 2nd half and he played in Trigger who was forced wide and shot wide as we kept asking questions 65 on the clock Rob replaced Jim in a like for like swap Rob was quickly in the action playing a good ball into Ashton who held off the defender and played the ball wide to Coco who's delivery was inches away from the on-rushing Trigger On 70 minutes the UNITS were denied what can only be described as a stone wall penalty when Coco played a fine ball to Ashton who brought the ball down on his chest in the box, Taffe at the back for Wolverley went straight through Ashton bundling him to the floor, the referee blew for the foul yet somehow gave the decision outside the box, despite Ashton being fouled from behind and a yard inside the box, crazy decision, Coco curled the free kick around the wall and a yard wide of the far post a real let off for the visitors The next chance fell to Tonka who from another corner found the ball sitting up nicely and he side footed his volley inches over with the keeper beaten Wolverley then had a shout of their own for a penalty when from a breakaway Jamo clipped the heels of the Wolverley winger but the referee gave nothing It was to be Jamo's last action as he rolled his ankle shortly after and was replaced by Si with 10 remaining With the game heading towards a draw the UNITS snatched a last minute winner, Rob did exceptionally well to roll his man and play a 30 yard ball out to Coco, he stepped inside and played Trigger in behind their full back, Trigger did well to keep the ball in before pulling the ball back to Ashton who hit a first time half volley across the keeper into the far corner from 18 yards to send the UNITS wild as they had snatched a late lead their 2nd half efforts had deserved From the kick off the Wolverley striker skipped a couple of challenges and was hacked down by Tonka 25 yards out, the free kick sailed over the bar and the referee blew his whistle as the UNITS had battled from behind to record a huge 3 points
Man of the match went to Ashton who took the armband and was much more like his old self today, leading the line well and scoring two goals including the fine later winner
Next up UNITS travel to Oceans who have hit a purple patch of form again of late and will no doubt provide a stern test
Mozza 7 Clarkey 7 Chinner 7 Jamo 8 Tonka 8 Baker 8 Ryan 8 Coco 8 Jim 7 Leon 6 Ashton 8*
Subs Trigger 8 Rob 8 Si 7
