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Battling Old Boys One Step Closer To Title
John Barratt20 Apr 2015 - 14:58
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The team which Danny Hyde turned out had many people scratching their heads, as no doubt Danny had done in the hours leading up to the game.
Result: Leek CSOB 4 Abbey Hulton Reserves 2
This was one of those games where on the final whistle everyone associated with CSOB gave a sigh of relief. Four goals to two is a comfortable win in anyone's book. The goals were spread amongst four different players. However, there were times when people were biting their nails.
The team which Danny Hyde turned out had many people scratching their heads, as no doubt Danny had done in the hours leading up to the game. CSOB had eleven players who through injury or work commitments were unavailable. To expect a team to play three games in four days beggars belief. The people who timetable these games have little or no idea what players go through. The eleven who started did extremely well. Their commitment and efforts can only be applauded.
A crucial game for CSOB, points are the most important factor. At the end of the season it may be that the league position they hold may not be affected by today's result but having points on the board is what matters.
What a dream start, after only three minutes CSOB were in the lead. They had a free kick on the right wing midway in the Abbey Hulton half. Mark Fox took the kick which was half cleared. The ball came to Drew Bennett who smashed a shot into the bottom left hand corner of the Abbey net.
It was only three minutes later CSOB saw their lead eroded. Abbey Hulton had a free kick which was half cleared. The ball came out to Chris Stevenson whose cross cum shot dipped into the top left hand corner of the CSOB net.
To some extent this shocked CSOB. Their passing was not of the calibre they had produced throughout the season. They were resorting to hitting long balls instead of playing their pass and move game. A harsh criticism in view of the changes. The game looked as though it was lacking the normal sharpness. Some of the experienced players were on their game. Jamie Pointon hit the post after a strong left wing run by Rob Drummond.
In the twenty sixth minute CSOB regained the lead . Mitch Cartlidge made a good run on the right and crossed to Marv Baker who side footed the ball into the Abbey net.
This second goal appeared to settle CSOB somewhat. They were showing a more controlled approach.
Abbey Hulton were building attacks with good control and movement but the quality of the final pass was lacking.
In the thirty seventh minute the Abbey scorer, Chris Stevenson, was cautioned for dissent. From the resultant free kick Jamie Pointon further increased CSOB's lead. He smashed the ball round the Abbey wall and with the aid of a slight deflection CSOB were two goals in front.
Abbey Hulton were ready to pounce on any mistake, particularly misplaced passes. However, Jamie Pointon struck a free kick which the Abbey keeper palmed over the cross bar. The resulting corner was headed just over.
Half Time: Leek CSOB 3 Abbey Hulton Reserves 1
Hopefully CSOB's passing would improve in the second half. CSOB began to build some promising attacks but the final cross/pass was lacking. In the fifty third minute Zac Barker replaced Mitch Cartlidge. The introduction of Zac appeared to give CSOB a better balance.
Ten minutes later Mat Bradbury replaced Jamie Pointon. No doubt a move dictated by two games in the next three days.
In the seventy third minute CSOB received a further shock. Abbey Hulton were awarded a corner. The ball was directed to the near post and with a header Abbey were only one goal down. Game on!
Two minutes later Sam Potts replaced Sam Pettitt (pic). This forced CSOB to make several positional changes. They sorted out the changes quickly and they looked much smoother in their approach but at only one goal down Abbey realised they were still in the game.
On eighty four minutes the game was stopped because one of the assistant referees slipped and he appeared to have been seriously injured. After treatment he was judged fit to continue.
In the eighty sixth minute the result was settled. The ball was played into the Abbey area but only half cleared. It fell to Mark Fox who produced a good strike from way outside the Abbey area.
At this juncture the Abbey players started arguing amongst themselves. Not a good sign!
Three points for CSOB which all concerned would settle for.
Full Time: Leek CSOB 4 Abbey Hulton Reserves 2
Team: Ashley Knight, Tom Bourne, Rob Drummond, Drew Bennett, Sam Pettitt(C), Dale Walters, Peter Bassett, Mitch Cartlidge, Jamie Pointon, Martin Baker, Mark Fox. Subs: Mat Bradbury, Sam Potts, Danny Hyde, Rocky Dunn-Fox, Zac Barker.
Match Sponsors: The Blue Mugge Public House, Leek
This was one of those games where on the final whistle everyone associated with CSOB gave a sigh of relief. Four goals to two is a comfortable win in anyone's book. The goals were spread amongst four different players. However, there were times when people were biting their nails.
The team which Danny Hyde turned out had many people scratching their heads, as no doubt Danny had done in the hours leading up to the game. CSOB had eleven players who through injury or work commitments were unavailable. To expect a team to play three games in four days beggars belief. The people who timetable these games have little or no idea what players go through. The eleven who started did extremely well. Their commitment and efforts can only be applauded.
A crucial game for CSOB, points are the most important factor. At the end of the season it may be that the league position they hold may not be affected by today's result but having points on the board is what matters.
What a dream start, after only three minutes CSOB were in the lead. They had a free kick on the right wing midway in the Abbey Hulton half. Mark Fox took the kick which was half cleared. The ball came to Drew Bennett who smashed a shot into the bottom left hand corner of the Abbey net.
It was only three minutes later CSOB saw their lead eroded. Abbey Hulton had a free kick which was half cleared. The ball came out to Chris Stevenson whose cross cum shot dipped into the top left hand corner of the CSOB net.
To some extent this shocked CSOB. Their passing was not of the calibre they had produced throughout the season. They were resorting to hitting long balls instead of playing their pass and move game. A harsh criticism in view of the changes. The game looked as though it was lacking the normal sharpness. Some of the experienced players were on their game. Jamie Pointon hit the post after a strong left wing run by Rob Drummond.
In the twenty sixth minute CSOB regained the lead . Mitch Cartlidge made a good run on the right and crossed to Marv Baker who side footed the ball into the Abbey net.
This second goal appeared to settle CSOB somewhat. They were showing a more controlled approach.
Abbey Hulton were building attacks with good control and movement but the quality of the final pass was lacking.
In the thirty seventh minute the Abbey scorer, Chris Stevenson, was cautioned for dissent. From the resultant free kick Jamie Pointon further increased CSOB's lead. He smashed the ball round the Abbey wall and with the aid of a slight deflection CSOB were two goals in front.
Abbey Hulton were ready to pounce on any mistake, particularly misplaced passes. However, Jamie Pointon struck a free kick which the Abbey keeper palmed over the cross bar. The resulting corner was headed just over.
Half Time: Leek CSOB 3 Abbey Hulton Reserves 1
Hopefully CSOB's passing would improve in the second half. CSOB began to build some promising attacks but the final cross/pass was lacking. In the fifty third minute Zac Barker replaced Mitch Cartlidge. The introduction of Zac appeared to give CSOB a better balance.
Ten minutes later Mat Bradbury replaced Jamie Pointon. No doubt a move dictated by two games in the next three days.
In the seventy third minute CSOB received a further shock. Abbey Hulton were awarded a corner. The ball was directed to the near post and with a header Abbey were only one goal down. Game on!
Two minutes later Sam Potts replaced Sam Pettitt (pic). This forced CSOB to make several positional changes. They sorted out the changes quickly and they looked much smoother in their approach but at only one goal down Abbey realised they were still in the game.
On eighty four minutes the game was stopped because one of the assistant referees slipped and he appeared to have been seriously injured. After treatment he was judged fit to continue.
In the eighty sixth minute the result was settled. The ball was played into the Abbey area but only half cleared. It fell to Mark Fox who produced a good strike from way outside the Abbey area.
At this juncture the Abbey players started arguing amongst themselves. Not a good sign!
Three points for CSOB which all concerned would settle for.
Full Time: Leek CSOB 4 Abbey Hulton Reserves 2
Team: Ashley Knight, Tom Bourne, Rob Drummond, Drew Bennett, Sam Pettitt(C), Dale Walters, Peter Bassett, Mitch Cartlidge, Jamie Pointon, Martin Baker, Mark Fox. Subs: Mat Bradbury, Sam Potts, Danny Hyde, Rocky Dunn-Fox, Zac Barker.
Match Sponsors: The Blue Mugge Public House, Leek
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