Allexton & New Parks V Ellistown FC

Allexton & New Parks 3 Ellistown 0

Today showed how far Ellistown are away from reaching the top end of the league as Title chasing Allexton coasted to a 3-0 victory, with the damage done in the 1st half as a resolute Town side were unpicked 3 times.

To get anything out of this game, we needed to be strong at the back, have some luck and take our changes and for the 1st 22 mins, we had the 1st two as man of the match Keenan Tailby kept Allexton at bay with some fantastic saves and the defense defended like heroes.

We were finally unlocked on 22 mins through Quentin Thompson who waltzed through the defense to score.

ANP 1-0 EFC 22 mins

With football being a funny old game, it was key we reached half-time only 1 nil down and while our cause was not helped by an injury to fullback Harry Hayden, it meant more minutes on the wing for Finn Chaplin, with Jacob Stevenson moving to fullback.

It looked like we may have hit our objective but 2 goals on 42 minutes through Jack Allen and 44 mins through Quentin Thompson meant it was game over by half-time.

ANP 2-0 EFC 42 mins

ANP 3-0 EFC 44 mins

ANP 3-0 EFC HT

Town came out for the 2nd half with more purpose and while not creating chances, we stopped Allexton from playing and the game became more of a chess game with pawns defending the back line.

Multiple Allexton subs disrupted play, but you suspect Allexton were content to hold on to what they have, while Town give minutes to debutante Tony Cole and a brief cameo for Carl Liddington.

You sensed both sides were happy to take a 3-0 and Town can take heart from their 2nd half performance and if one of our long range efforts had gone in then it would have been interesting.

The final whistle went with Town wishing Allexton well in their pursuit of Rugby and Town looking forward to hosting the kids from Pro Chance next Saturday.

Summary

This was a free game for Town and the chance to compare ourselves against a top team. Game proved what we already know in that we play with passion and can graft but have to bridge that gap to the top teams.