Royals Match Report 2003-04

Magpies Hit Ludlow for Six.

 Ludlow North 1-6 Church Stretton
(Hearle 3, Robinson, Brayne, Riley) (League - 02-05-04)

Magpies finished their league programme in style smashing 6 goals past a demoralised Ludlow side, to keep alive their hopes of finishing 3rd in the League. They now have to hope that Coreley drop a point against Orleton, which has to be said is unlikely.

Magpies stated their claim on this game right from the start and, although it took a few minutes for them to find their rhythm, they always looked the stronger team. It took just 3 minutes for Robinson to make the score 1-0 when he found a Ludlow clearance at his feet and then typically battled through a crowded penalty area to find the back of the net.

After 7 minutes Smith came close when a great move saw Brayne set Carless-Turland away down the left. His cross went agonisingly just too far from the boot of Smith at the far post.

On 10 minutes Brayne did make it 2-0 when he intercepted a clearance and hammered the ball home, leaving the keeper with no chance after it deflected off his defender.

On 12 minutes a late challenge from behind, resulted in Smith being injured and he was replaced by Hearle, as a precaution.

Carless-Turland nearly made it 3-0 after 15 minutes, when he leapt above the Ludlow defence to head the ball against the bar and Ludlow breathed a sigh of relief to see the ball go out for a goal kick.

2 minutes later Hearle did make it 3-0 when Robinson broke from his own half and seeing Hearle free on the right sent through a superb ball for Hearle to have the simple job of finding the back of the net.

Half time saw Riley replace Robinson at the back, which freed up Brayne to go forward and play just behind the front pair. This change in shape caused Ludlow problems straight away and a poor clearance was instinctively leapt on by Hearle who smashed into the back of the net to make it 4-0 after 5 minutes.

Ludlow responded quickly and a mix up in the Magpies midfield saw Ludlow take possession of the ball midway in the Magpies half. The ball was passed sideways to the Ludlow striker who blasted a long range shot past Groom and into the back of the net, before he had time to react.

On 10 minutes Smith replaced Carless-Turland and sent Hearle on his way with a forceful run down the right. Hearle won a corner after his cross was deflected by a defender and sent over a floated chip for Riley to meet with his head and to steer into the back of the net to make the score 5-1.

Magpies final goal was a trademark solo effort by Hearle. He gained possession of the ball just inside the Ludlow half and broke away. His pace enabled him to get away from the last defender and coolly slotted the ball past the approaching keeper.

Final score 6-1, and a good preparation for the Cup Final 2 weeks time.

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