Royals Match Report 2003-04

Magpies Come Close Against League Favourites.

Onny 4-2 Church Stretton
(Hearle 2) (League - 11-01-04)

Another freezing cold and blustery morning saw the Magpies travel to Burway Cricket Ground, Ludlow for their first game for just over a month, in this, their second meeting of the season with title contenders Onny.

A good crowd had turned out to watch the game, despite the atrocious weather conditions, and from the start Magpies showed no nervousness about playing a bigger, more physical side. From the start they played with confidence and kept the ball for long periods, with controlled accurate passing. They also gave as good as they got physically and did not allow themselves to be manhandled off the ball.

After just 4 minutes and a spell of continued pressure, a poor clearance from an Onny defender was intercepted by Joe Hearle who powered himself past the remaining defender and fired the ball home from 8 yards to make the score 1-0 to the Magpies.

This fired Onny up, and after some strong touchline coaching by their manager, they began to play with the confidence that we had expected. However they could not penetrate the Magpies defence, who were playing solidly at the back.

After 10 minutes a break on the left wing saw both Magpies defenders drawn over to that side, leaving a striker unmarked in the middle. The cross came in and the attacker had the simplest of tasks to put the ball in the back of the net past the diving Ed Groom.

On 12 minutes Onny made it 2-1 when their top scorer latched onto a pass from midfield, took the ball around Michael Brayne and shot past Ed Groom to give them the lead.

The rain was now turning into hailstones and with the strong wind some of the players were finding the conditions extremely difficult. On 15 minutes however a fine run from Harvey Carless-Turland saw a shot saved by the Onny keeper, but Joe Hearle was there again so blast home the rebound, making the score 2-2.

After 16 minutes, both managers and the referee agreed to take the teams off and it looked like the match would be abandoned at 2-2. However after just 10 minutes, the weather cleared and the game was able to re-start for the remaining 4 minutes of the first half.

With the match delicately poised, the start of the second half saw no substitutions, and the game re-started where it had left off - attacking end to end stuff, but with neither side able to capitalise and score.

However 10 minutes into the second period, a long drop kick by the Onny keeper, found Magpies caught out by the bounce and the Onny striker came away with the ball and had the simple task of firing home to make the score 3-1.

After 12 minutes Jack Case replaced Harvey Carless-Turland who had taken a nasty knock after a 50/50 with the Onny keeper. This enforced change seemed to upset the balance, because 2 minutes later Onny made it 4-2, after a corner was only half scrambled away from the Magpies penalty area.

With 5 minutes to go Rory Smith replaced Joe Hearle, in a hope that fresh legs might be able to provide some much needed inspiration. However it was not to be and the final score remained at 4-2 to Onny.

Another game where Magpies can be proud of themselves, and perhaps be disappointed that they did not come away with a point.

Team: Ed Groom, Michael Brayne, Simon Riley, Joe Hearle , Harvey Carless-Turland. Subs: Rory Smith, Jack Case.