Royals Match Report 2003-04

Magpies on top in 9 goal thriller.

Church Stretton 6-3 Ludlow North
(Smith 2, Carless-Turland 2, Brayne, Hearle) (League - 01-02-04)

After the snow and rain that fell over Shropshire in the past week, it was surprising that this game could go ahead. However after an inspection, the pitch was found to be in remarkably good shape. Magpies named the same squad as the previous week, with Joe Hearle starting as an attacking defender, making the emphasis on attacking football.

Magpies started the match kicking up the slope and against a strong wind, which made things difficult for them. Things did not start according to plan and after just 8 minutes Magpies found themselves 2 goals down as a result of defensive errors.

It took just 2 minutes for them to get back into the game though, after Joe Hearle dispossessed a Ludlow midfielder of the ball and started one of his surging runs towards the goal. When in range, he fired home, to get Magpies back into the game.

If Joe's goal was outstanding, the equaliser had to be seen to be believed. On 13 minutes Michael Brayne gained possession of the ball deep in his own half and brought it out wide on the right. After taking the ball around 2 Ludlow defenders, his shot from 20 yards the ball flew into the roof of the net, giving the keeper no chance. Definitely a candidate for goal of the season!

On 14 minutes Simon Riley replaced Michael Brayne due to injury. Now on level terms, Magpies started believing in themselves and played their now usual passing game, keeping the ball for long periods, and frustrating the Ludlow team.

On 17 minutes Rory Smith pounced on a Harvey Carless-Turland cross and made no mistake from 5 yards to give Magpies the lead for the first time. With one minute to go before the break Ludlow broke away and their striker fired a strong left foot shot past the diving Ed Groom.

Half time saw the teams go in at 3-3, with all to play for in the 2nd half. Fortunately Magpies were kicking done the slope with the wind and the ball spent most of the time in the Ludlow half. When Ludlow did break away for an attack, Simon Riley was outstanding in defence, stopping short any danger and showing what an accomplished player he was becoming.

Five minutes into the 2nd half, Harvey Carless-Turland scored his first of the match, working well with Rory Smith on the left side of the pitch. He received the ball back from Rory Smith and took the ball around the last Ludlow defender and shot low and hard past the Ludlow keeper, to make the score 4-3.

On 12 minutes Rory Smith scored his second, a near identical goal to his first after Ludlow failed to properly clear a Joe Hearle cross. The ball bounced out and he was able to fire home from close range.

With the score at 5-3 it seemed that Magpies now had some breathing space, and with 5 minutes to go they scored another quality goal - this time from Harvey
Carless-Turland. A cross came in from the left from Simon Riley and the Ludlow defence cleared the ball straight back to him. His second cross was in the air and Harvey Carless-Turland latched onto the end of it, to fire home a sweet volley from 7 yards.

Another fine victory by the lads, this time showing that they can perform against better opposition.

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