Royals Match Report 2003-04

Ludlow North 0-0 Church Stretton
(Friendly - 03-05-04)

No goals were scored in a match which was a big disappointment for the Magpies. For they were clearly the superior team, but failed to take advantage. One reason was that they had not played a game together for a month and the earlier progress in passing the ball was lost.

An equally important reason was Ludlow's style of play. They appeared to lack confidence in attack with the result that all their players were mostly rooted in their own half.

As the match was played seven a side, it followed that Ludlow's half of the pitch was so crowded that clear scoring opportunities for the Magpies were rare. Moreover, if Ludlow excelled in one thing, it was in marking the opposition.

Ludlow's lack of confidence in attack showed in the relatively few occasions they entered the Magpie's half. They attempted mostly to shoot from far out, not trusting to advance on goal. Probably quite appropriately so as the Magpie defenders were their usual tenacious selves, quick to tear into whoever had possession. And on the one or two occasions Ludlow did move into a scoring position Wells was quite up to the task. That Ludlow did not score was appropriate in the circumstances.

Not so for the Magpies. They virtually camped in the Ludlow half and could and should have scored on numerous occasions. But somehow the final shot was either just wide or saved by the Ludlow keeper (their best player on the field). The final minute of the game was typical. A Magpie attack down the right side found Adams in possession in a good scoring position. But his shot slipped agonisingly close past the left upright.

Team: Jordan Wells, Kieran Adams, Dominic Robinson, Hugo Jervis, Cameron Holtz, Jack Case, Freddie van Doesberg