Hi All,
What a difference in temperature in one week.
After a couple of minutes warming up, all the base layers were discarded and players were pleased to be wearing the lightweight red shirts.
For the first time in a while we travelled with only 15, but they still seemed surprised at the size of the squad.
Rob Peregrine’s Dad turned up and asked who he had to shout for, Stockton or Teessiders.
He was interested to learn about the drinking games at SCC on Saturday.
Probably instigated by Richie Waite after Lakhan had donated some vodka to the poor and needy of the parish.
Boots had a couple of players aged 39 and their pace caused a few problems initially
Their aerials and passes round our defenders caused a few half chances that just whistled wide.
Peter Cowley was tackling well and passing to Peter Morton.
We picked the ball up well in midfield and Peter Morton’s passes pierced their defence.
One pass found Mike Lakinski on the P spot and his deflection brought a reflex save from the keeper.
The first PC went to Boots and their direct shot was cleared to the 22 m. line by Malcolm Teasdale.
A flowing move down the right started by Derek Moore, to Dennis Hooton, to Geoff Bunn, deflected to Derek whose shot was saved at the expense of a PC.
Dennis injected to Derek whose hit looped over the flailing legs of the keeper. 0-1
Boots continued with aerials but we were prepared and Dave Skirving cleared.
Their pace was still a problem and they shot on sight in the D with another just wide.
Pete found Mike again in front of the keeper, who didn’t seem to know much about the deflection, as it hit him and was cleared.
Mally made a good save and Paul Saunders swept off his pads and cleared.
Derek drove into the D and the tackle brought a PC that was cleared.
Olly Smart was collecting the ball and driving at the defenders and a couple of tackles deserved more than PCs.
One of his passes to Geoff was bounced back and Olly failed to connect cleanly with an Argy.
Peter to Derek to Dennis to Olly led to a shot that was saved.
Dennis centred from the right to Mike, who had found good space, but he scuffed his hit and it was cleared.
Boots continued to press and one pass saw Derek drive from one D to the other and his pass to Davy Hall was not quite controlled but both had done well to get to the D.
Just at the end of the half another foul on Olly brought a PC. Whistle blows!
The keeper logged to stop Derek’s shot but the ball was cleared back to the top of the D.
Derek slipped the ball to Marty Harrison whose first time strike hit the centre of the backboard. 0-2
Half time 0-2
Den to Derek to Olly, just wide.
Boots PC saved on the line by Paul.
Peter Morton gave away a PC and when he complained, he was sent off with a green by Phil Longley.
Olly was still driving forward and causing problems but with little reward or protection from the tackles.
One Boots attack saw the striker hit straight at Mally and the ball rebounded onto his leg. The whistle blew as he hit the ball out of frustration.
He then again struck at the ball which bounced off Mally’s pad onto Dave Skirving’s nose. The number 8 was given a yellow card.
Dave was in a bad way but was well looked after by the first aiders.
The defenders were under pressure with no respite but Matt Payne and Chris Shaw were defending resolutely.
A tussle during one of our attacks led to heated words and their number 16 was also given a card.
Boots seemed to play better with 9 men.
A PC strike was just wide.
An attack led to Peter Morton winning the ball and trying to clear the ball to safety.
The mistimed push came back across the D and defected onto the post and in. 1-2
Despite not having the fluidity of the first half we retained the 2 goal cushion quickly.
Dennis found Davy Hall who won a PC. Derek hit. 1-3
In trying to stop the driving runs, Marty lost his stick round the shins of a Boot’s runner and was given a yellow.
A couple of Boots PCs led to Mally saving and Peter Cowley and Matt clearing.
Davy Hall found Olly surrounded by three players and he turned and drove into the D.
Peter Morton almost got to the pass and won a PC which was cleared.
Chris to Leigh to Dennis to Davy just wide.
There were a few rough tackles and Leigh Brown seemed to relish the second half and was looking stronger as the game progressed.
Boots PC at the end was slipped and flicked just wide.
Full time 1-3
This became a difficult match to umpire and Phil Longley acquitted himself well.
We didn’t play as well in the second half and should have pressed our advantage against 9 men.
Boots could have been closer if they had converted their PCs as well as we did.
This was a tough match but we have been rewarded with a home tie against Shrewsbury in the Quarter Finals on Feb.14th.
Bring your partners to watch on Valentine’s Day.
Regards,
Bob