Royals Match Report 2003-04

Coreley 0-9 Church Stretton
(Watts 5, Van Doesberg 2, Holtz, Case) (Friendly - 04-04-04)

In the first half the Magpies were playing uphill with a strong side wind and a pitch which had absorbed a lot of rain overnight and was sticky in some places, slippery in others. But the difficult conditions did not seem to deter the Magpies who went on the attack straight away and did not stop attacking until the half time whistle went.

Jervis side netted and both he and Holtz hit the crossbar within the first few minutes, giving warning of what was to come. It was Watts who opened the score with a strong shot in the fourth minute. With the Magpies doing all the pressing three more goals followed at regular intervals.

Van Doesberg, though supposedly a defender, was as goal hungry as any of the Magpie's strikers. A throw-in found him right in front of goal and he tapped it in with ease. Watts a few minutes later added another goal.

As the first half drew to a close a cross by Case, after a short corner, into the six yards box, again found Van Doesberg lurking and he kicked the ball into the open goal.

Half time score 4-0 to the Magpies.

The second half was little different from the first half, the Magpies additionally benefiting from playing downhill. Five more goals were scored.

Predictably it was again Watts who opened the second half's account by another good goal. Holtz followed by hooking the ball in after a goal mouth scramble. Yet another goal materialised from Watts within a minute. Case made excellent use of a good pass from the left touch line with a strong shot and it was the irrepressible Watts who rounded the morning off with his fifth goal, making it 9-0.

The opposition was rather overwhelmed, spending much time in their own half Their few sorties into the Magpies half were usually well cleared by Adams. Goal keeper Wells was rarely called into action. A good performance by the Magpies, though things were perhaps made a bit too easy by the young opposition still developing their ball skills. Still the Magpies showed a tremendous drive. Some good passing at times indicated that the hard work put in by the coaches was not wasted. Above all it was Watts' game - he was in superb form.

Team: Jordan Wells, Kieran Adams, Freddie van Doesberg, Hugo Jervis, Jake Watts, Cameron Holtz, Jack Case.