Royals Match Report 2003-04

Coreley Revenge as Magpies Self Destruct.

 Coreley 3-2 Church Stretton
(Hearle, Carless-Turland) (League - 04-04-04)

Despite building a 2 goal lead in the first 12 minutes after some superb passing play and finishing, Magpies went on to lose this return encounter at Clee Hill, against Coreley, largely due to some indifferent play in the second half.

There was one change from the previous week's starting line up, with Carless-Turland replacing Smith in the forward line. Magpies won the toss and elected to kick uphill in the first half.

Magpies were first to find their feet and Hearle soon used his speed, breaking from midfield and putting through balls to Carless-Turland, who came close, but was prevented from scoring by some good goalkeeping by the Coreley keeper.

After 8 minutes however fortunes changed, when Carless-Turland latched onto another Hearle through ball and out-paced the Coreley defender. With only the keeper to beat he blasted the ball home from close range.

Magpies continued to take the game to Coreley, attacking them at every opportunity. Their excellent passing play made it hard for the home team to find their natural rhythm. Brayne and Riley were confident at the back, bringing the ball out of defence and providing support for the forwards.

Magpies second goal came on 12 minutes, after another well crafted move. Riley made a splendid defensive tackle deep inside the his own half and broke away to find Hearle wide on the right. Hearle set off down the wing and outpaced the marking defender. Instead of crossing, he cut into the penalty area and seeing a scoring opportunity, he rifled the ball into the top corner giving the keeper no chance, making the score 2-0.

Magpies then seemed to take their foot off the gas a little an invited Coreley to get back into the game. Coreley kept plugging away and after 15 minutes their patience paid off, when a long range shot fooled Groom and went into the goal to make it 2-1.

After 18 minutes Magpies were awarded a free kick for a late tackle on Carless-Turland. Carless-Turland pumped a sweet kick towards Brayne in the Coreley penalty area. Brayne latched onto the kick and hit a powerful first time shot from 6 yards out that somehow the Coreley keeper managed to save.

The teams went in for the half time break with Magpies winning 2-1. No changes were made at half time, and with Magpies now kicking down the slope, it was hoped they could at least hold onto their slender lead.

It was Coreley who started the second half as the stronger team though, and it took just five minutes before they pulled the scores level after Magpies lost the ball near the Coreley penalty area. A quick break found Coreley with a 2 against 1 situation bearing down on the Magpies goal. With only Groom to beat in the goal, they made no mistake in pulling the scores back level.

Coreley seemed hungrier for the ball and had more fighting spirit in the second half. Five minutes later things got worse for Magpies when they were again caught in possession and could not get back in time to prevent Coreley from taking a deserved
3-2 lead.

Immediately this happened, Rory Smith replaced Michael Brayne, giving an extra attacking option up front. Magpies did then keep the ball in their opponents half more often, but still could not penetrate the resilient Coreley defence.

Carless-Turland came close after Smith put him clear, but his shot was well saved by the keeper. Hearle also had a chance to level the scores with 5 minutes to go but shot wide.

On 16 minutes Robinson replaced Carless-Turland through injury and despite continued pressure Magpies still could not get the equaliser.

A bizarre free kick was awarded to Coreley on 17 minutes, when Riley caught the ball rather like a slip fielder. Fortunately he made amends and a fine tackle saw him gain possession of the resulting free kick.

With just 2 minutes to go Smith got the crowd excited, when from the angle they were watching, his lob looked to have gone in. Unfortunately it went just wide.

Final score 3-2 to Coreley, and with this defeat Magpies have almost certainly lost the chance to finish in 3rd place in the final league table. Improvements will need to be made before the teams meet later this month in the Cup semi-final.

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