Royals Match Report 2003-04

Hearle Double Sees Off Tenbury.

 Tenbury 0-3 Church Stretton
(Hearle 2, Riley) (League - 14-03-04)

Two goals from Joe Hearle, and a third from Simon Riley were enough to dispose of a big Tenbury Wells side, after a tense game in very wet conditions thus extending Magpies unbeaten run to 7 games.

Magpies had lost their last two games against Tenbury, who were another of the form teams of the moment. A tough game was in prospect and the team was warned that this would be every bit as tough as the previous weeks encounter against Craven Arms.

The team was the same as the previous week, with Magpies starting with the wind behind them. Both sides used the first 5 or so minutes to become accustomed to the wet and windy conditions, and it was Magpies who settled first, when a through ball from Smith put Carless-Turland through, to strike wide.

Tenbury had their chances in the first half too, and but for some excellent defending by man of the match Riley, they would surely have taken the lead.

On 12 minutes however, a long ball from Riley to Hearle found him clear, and after taking it around the last defender he coolly slotted the ball past the diving Tenbury keeper to make the score 1-0.

Magpies seemed to relax after taking the lead, and were very nearly punished in the last 5 minutes of the first half, when Tenbury broke away, leaving Riley struggling with no help from his colleagues. Another superb tackle saved the day though, with Riley quite rightly telling his team mates what he thought of their support.

Half time saw Brayne replace Smith, joining Riley in defence, with Hearle being pushed up front. Tenbury came out in a determined mood in the second half, but after a stern talking to from the Magpies management, Magpies were determined to improve on their one goal lead.

Tenbury came close 5 minutes into the second period, when some great skill from their striker, saw him take the ball round 3 Magpies players, but a lack of pass saw him eventually lose the ball, after taking it too far.

On 8 minutes Magpies found themselves with a corner on the far side and
Carless-Turland sent a high cross into the box. Hearle connected on the volley to score his second of the game.

This second goal saw them settle down and they started to string passes together, making full use of the width of the pitch, and taking control.
On 12 minutes Smith replaced Carless-Turland to strengthen the midfield, and on 15 minutes defender Robinson replaced Hearle, further strengthening the defence, to try to preserve their 2 goal lead. Almost as soon as Robinson had come onto the pitch he won the ball deep inside his own half, and placed a pass through to Smith. Smith was able to outpace the Tenbury defence and as the keeper came out to him, he shot from 10 yards. The shot hit the inside of the post and Simon Riley had a simple job to put home the third goal for Magpies.

Another fine win from Magpies puts a little bit of daylight between them and 4th place Coreley.

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