Royals Match Report 2003-04

Church Stretton 5-3 Craven Arms
(Holtz 2, Case, Watts) (Friendly - 07-03-04)

Magpies attacked form the start and it was not long before they scored. A long pass from Holtz from near the left corner flag found Watts unmarked in front of goal and he effortlessly steered the ball past the keeper.

On one of Craven Arms' rare sorties into the Magpies' penalty area an own goal resulted when an attempted clearance inadvertently slipped into the net. Constant pressing by the Magpies failed to end with a killer shot until Robinson took matters into his own hands (or rather feet), dribbling from within his own half past several opponents. His powerful shot went through the hands and the legs of the Craven Arms keeper into the back of the net, making it 2-1. Craven Arms responded only minutes afterwards with a fine goal to again draw level.

The Magpies piled on the pressure and in one confused goal mouth scramble Holtz rose the highest to head in from two yards out. Another Holtz goal followed when he rounded a defender, advanced on the goal unmolested and let fly with a right footer which sailed into the top left corner. Case added another fine goal to raise the Magpies goal haul to five.

But Craven Arms never let their heads drop and were rewarded with a late goal which made the final score 5-3, an honest reflection of the game.

The Magpies dominated for long periods and could have scored more prolifically if they had made greater use of the open spaces and passed before running into difficulties or into the corner of the field. The Magpies' defence was mostly excellent, giving the opposition neither time nor space. Again and again Craven Arms attacks were foiled by tackling with speed and admirable determination.

Team: Jordan Wells, Kieran Adams, Hugo Jervis, Jake Watts, Cameron Holtz, Jack Case. Subs: Freddie van Doesberg, Dominic Robinson
(Regular substitutions meant that all the players had an extended period on the field.)