Royals Match Report 2003-04

Magpies too Strong for Inexperienced Clun.

Clun 0-6 Church Stretton 
(Carless-Turland 3, Smith, Case, Adams) (League - 23-11-03)

A frosty morning saw the Magpies set of to the borders of Wales to take on Clun. Their opponents had improved of late and had started scoring goals, so the team was warned not to treat this as an easy game.

Jordan Wells was recalled in place of Ed Groom in the Magpies goal, whilst Kieran Adams and Jack Case were named as substitutes. Michael Brayne played the sole defending role, with Joe Hearle in support on the right side of midfield.

From the start Magpies showed that their hard work in training was paying off and they were able to keep possession for long periods and put pressure on the Clun goal.

After 6 minutes Harvey Carless-Turland gave the Magpies the lead after a failed clearance landed at his feet. His shot from close range beat the goalkeeper easily.

3 minutes later Magpies could have made it 2-0 when a floated corner came in from Harvey Carless-Turland and Rory Smith headed just wide of the top corner.

On 12 minutes Harvey Carless-Turland doubled the score when a pass from Joe Hearle on the right, saw him take on the last Clun defender to slot home past the diving keeper.

After 15 minutes Rory Smith made it 3-0 when a corner resulted in a goalmouth scramble. With Clun again failing to clear, he pounced to score from close range.

Then 2 minutes before half time Harvey Carless-Turland added a fourth after a Rory Smith shot was only parried away by the Clun keeper.

The second half saw Jack Case replace Harvey Carless-Turland and Kieran Adams replace Joe Hearle. Magpies changed their formation to keep Michael Brayne as the sole defender, with Jack Case being an attacking winger and Kieran Adams joining Rory Smith up front on the right. Jack Case soon controlled the left wing using his speed and skill to whip in some dangerous crosses. Kieran Adams did likewise on the right side showing his skill and confidence in taking on the Clun left back, wide on the right.

7 minutes into the second half, rather than cross the ball Jack Case cut inside a Clun defender and made no mistake with his shot from 8 yards to make the score 5-0.

Half way through the second half, Joe Hearle replaced Michael Brayne in defence and shortly after Magpies nearly scored their sixth, after another fine cross was just out of reach of both Rory Smith and Kieran Adams.

Kieran Adams added the sixth 4 minutes from time, after a through ball from Joe Hearle saw him in some space to outpace the Clun defence and tidily slot home past the Clun keeper.

Another strong performance makes it 3 wins on the trot and up into 3rd place in the table. However with 2 tough games in two weeks we will need to be at our best to maintain our position.

Team: Jordan Wells, Michael Brayne, Joe Hearle, Rory Smith, Harvey Carless-Turland. Subs: Jack Case, Kieran Adams.