Royals Match Report 2003-04

Magnificent Magpies through to Cup Semi-Finals.

 Church Stretton 2-0 Craven Arms
(Hearle, Brayne) (League Cup 1st Rnd 2nd Leg - 07-03-04)

Magpies continued their current good form with an outstanding 2-0 victory against local rivals Craven Arms, after having drawn the first leg of this cup tie 1-1. Magpies chose to field the same team as the one that had defeated Craven Arms in the previous week's league encounter.

Magpies lost the toss and were made to play with the strong wind behind their backs in the first half. From the outset the players found it tricky to allow for the wind, but once they had got over this, the game started to flow.

Both sides had their chances in the first half and some long clearances by Magpies keeper Groom enabled both Carless-Turland and Smith to come close in the first to minutes.

Craven Arms could have taken the lead in the 5th minute but for some top class defending by anchorman Riley at the back. Riley was able to make a sliding tackle putting the ball out of play for a corner, and saving an almost certain goal. Groom took control in his own penalty area, and shouted instructions to his defenders, when the ball was anywhere near and this led to a greater understanding when defending.

After 15 minutes Hearle gained possession of the ball near the centre of the pitch, passed it out wide to Carless-Turland, and then received it back again to commence one of his no nonsense runs towards goal. Craven Arms had no one that could keep up with him, and he was able to slot the ball home past the diving keeper for Magpies first goal and his 10th of the season.

Magpies could have gone further ahead in the first half when a shot from Smith went just past the post, and Hearle forced a superb diving save from the Craven Arms keeper. The score remained at 1-0 when the half time whistle blew.

The second half was expected to be harder, with Magpies now kicking into the wind and this certainly helped Craven Arms get the ball forward. Groom was on top of his game though and coped admirably with the pressure.

On 6 minutes Hearle took the ball down the right hand side of the pitch and with 2 unmarked strikers shouting for the ball in the penalty area, shot wide of the goal.
Craven Arms had a penalty appeal turned down after 8 minutes, which was quite rightly judged to be accidental, and Magpies were able to kick the ball to safety.

Ten minutes into the second half Brayne replaced Smith, to play in a midfield position, just behind the 2 strikers.

On 12 minutes a long ball from Riley found Brayne on the left hand side of the field. Brayne then went on a surging run down the left wing and put in a dangerous cross across the Craven Arms goal, but unfortunately there was no one there to meet the cross and strike the ball home.

On 15 minutes Brayne sealed the victory, when he won the ball midway inside the Craven Arms half and then charged towards their goal, to fire a beautiful shot into the top corner of the net.

After 16 minutes Robinson replaced Carless-Turland to bolster up the defence for the last past of the game.

With 2 minutes to go, Magpies were awarded a free kick about 18 yards out for a foul. Brayne stepped up to take the kick but his shot went just over the bar.

When the final whistle blew there were cheers all round and the proud Magpies can now look forward to their semi final match against Coreley in 3 weeks.

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