Match Report - Holbrook St Michaels 3-0 Belper United - CML South - 26/12/13.

Belper United, after being without a game for 3 weeks, made 4 changes to the starting 11. Aaron Pride, Scott Clapperton and Adam Moss were unavailable, whilst, Joe Sparham is suffering from a knee injury. In came Adam Taylor, T.Perry, Ben Summers and Josh Wisdom.

The game kicked off early with Holbrook Park covered in freezing fog and on a very sticky pitch. In the difficult conditions, in a even affair, Belper United had the better of the first half chances.

After 5 minutes, a quick freekick saw Dan Riley chip the ball into the six yard, but Chris Whiteley managed to spoon Jordan McRobie's flick over the bar. Jordan McRobie also saw a 20 yard effort go narrowly wide and then a 12 yard volley was well saved by Chris Whiteley. Belper United were having the better of the wide play but Sam Vickers and Josh Wisdoms crosses always fell to a Saints defender or was again well handled by Chris Whiteley.

Holbrook St Michaels were trying to hit United on the break with the pace of Chris Saunders and Lewis Whiting but were mostly restricted to long range efforts, one needing to be well saved by Adam Jablonski in the United goal.

Half time: Holbrook St Michaels 0-0 Belper United.

An early freekick could of given Holbrook St Michaels the lead, but with the ball lofted into the 6 yards box, the Saints winger was all alone but could only head over the bar.

Belper United then preceded to camp in the Saints half for the next 20 minutes, but couldn't get the required goal. A mixture of poor decision making, poor finishing and excellent goalkeeping kept the scoreline goalless until the 65th minute.

Completely against the run of play, a Holbrook St Michaels attack down the left saw the ball slipped into Lewis Whiting and he poked the ball through Adam Jablonski's legs for the opening goal from 6 yards out. 5 minutes later a similar break, this time down the right, saw the ball again slipped through to Lewis Whiting and this time he volleyed over the advancing keeper to double the lead.

Belper United were visibly shaken and this really finished off United as an attacking force and never looked like getting back into the game.

With less than 5 minutes to go, United woes were compounded, when Chris Saunders smashed in a 30 yarder which left the keeper rooted to the ground to make the final score 3-0.

Full time: Holbrook St Michaels 3-0 Belper United.

Team: A.Jablonski, A.Taylor (C), S.Slater, T.Perry, T.Curtis, S.Vickers, B.Summers, D.Riley, J.Wisdom, J.McRobie, L.Crosby

Subs: J.Wilde, A.Dhindsa, L.Bailey

Steve Watson says 'It was a typical tough local derby. We defensively went to sleep for a 5 minutes spell in the second half, which cost us dear, however we had enough chances before that to put the game out of sight, so we only have ourselves to blame. We know sides like St Michaels will never give you an easy option and never give in and you have to match there commitment before you earn the right to play. We need to look at ourselves and show a reaction on Saturday away to Hucknall Town.'

Photo Courtesy of Terry Fletcher - Steve Watson disappointed with result