Stalemate at Hillsborough College

An improved performance from last week’s defeat to Davy but both teams came away from the match disappointed with the result.

Bankers, playing at home for the first time in over a month, hosted Penistone Church Reserves, who are second in the league. Manager Risho delivered his talk in the classroom/changing rooms and named his team:

GK: Sam Blackburn
Def: Philip Sharpe, Mike Elliott, Joe Jerrison, Jo Robinson
Mid: Robert Jerrison, Mikey Russell (C), Jack Joyce, Jack Roe
CF: James Fletcher, Sami Eric

Subs: Scott Dinnigan. Unused subs: Matt Taylor, Lewis Robinson
Management Team: Ryan Griffiths, Jason Paine, Mark Walker
Mascot: Richard Bartimote

Back on the artificial surface of Hillsborough College, the game started at a higher tempo then in previous weeks. Penistone looked to use their pace up front to run down the channels or try and get in behind the centre halves. Their game plan of getting the ball quickly from defence to the strikers worked for them in the opening 15 minutes as they scored two goals in quick succession of each other. The first was a well taken goal on the volley into the top corner and the next one saw the striker slot the ball home after getting in behind the defenders. Calls for offside were made but the ref rebuffed them.

Bankers looked a little unsettled during this period but upped their game after James Fletcher saw a good chance saved by the keeper after he had cut inside from the left. This gave Bankers the confidence they needed to press onto the Penistone defence. Bankers started to play a similar game to Penistone and passed the ball quickly up field to the strikers. This worked well when James Fletcher latched onto a through ball from Mikey Russell and slotted the ball into the net passed the keeper’s feet.

Not long after another through ball from Mikey Russell to James Fletcher resulted in a second goal for Bankers. Fletcher picked the ball up just inside the area and he twisted and turned a couple of times before slotting it under the diving keeper and into the net.

Bankers were not finished there; as they scored a third goal before half time. Robert Jerrison was the scorer after he got across his marker to meet James Fletcher’s in swinging ball from the left. Rob half-volleyed the ball into the near post. 3-2 to Bankers and a whirlwind of a first half. Manager Risho didn’t know whether to laugh or cry at half time; we think he did both.

The second half was a well-disciplined performance from Bankers. Penistone’s centre mids were trying to influence the game, but captain Mikey Russell and Jack Joyce were a match for them; with both players having a very good game.

On the hour mark, Scott Dinnigan replaced Sami Eric in order to bring on some fresh legs and power up front.

The last 30 minutes remained a tight affair, with not many chances either side. Penistone had a shot from outside the area which keeper Sam managed to push away. With around 10 minutes to go Jack Roe managed to get in behind the defence and into the area, but the ball was blocked by the tracking defender as he was about to take his shot.

With less than 5 minutes remaining on the clock, Bankers looked like they may be holding on to the win. However, Penistone managed to pull a goal back after a loose ball outside the area found one of their players. He took a couple of steps forward towards the edge of the area and drove the ball into the bottom corner of the net.

Both teams looked for the winner but could not create the opening. The match finished 3-3. Both teams looked disappointed after having the lead in the game on separate occasions.

Bankers should feel positive in their performance for much of this game and should look to continue the same fighting spirit and team work into the next game. Next week Bankers are at home again, taking on Thorpe Hesley.

Manager’s man of the match: Joe Jerrison
Reporter’s man of the match: James Fletcher

UTB.