Royals Match Report 2004-05

Brave Performance by Battling Magpies

Church Stretton 0-4 Ludlow South (League 07/11/04)

A difficult match was expected as Ludlow South were third in the league and their players were all one, and some nearly two years older than the Magpie players. Still, after their excellent display the week before, the Magpies took to the field in a confident mood. The sky was overcast and a chilly wind blew from the north.
The pitch had had to absorb a lot of rain in the run up to the match and was still wet from an overnight downpour. However the morning itself was dry and an entertaining game unfolded with some excellent football on view. Action moved from one end to the other in quick succession with the home crowd one moment shouting shrill encouragement in anticipation of a goal, as the Magpies drove the ball towards the Ludlow penalty area, and the next moment holding their breath in anxiety as Ludlow in turn swept forward. 

The Magpies started on the front foot attacking the Ludlow goal with some good passing movements and forcing a number of corners. Lewis had a good run on goal, winning a corner. A golden opportunity was narrowly missed, one of many to come, when Lewis just failed to head home an excellent corner by Hearle. A free kick, awarded after Lewis was tripped, was taken by Brayne and went narrowly wide. 

Ludlow got more and more into the game with some good passing movements of their own. Yet rather against the run of play Ludlow took the lead about half way through the first half. A free kick awarded to Ludlow inside the Magpie's half brought a fierce kick which keeper Holtz failed to hold on to. A Ludlow striker was on hand to slam the ball into the back of the net. With vociferous encouragement from the home crowd, the Magpies launched a series of attacks on Ludlow's goal. In spite of often excellent build ups, the final shot, alas, each time went wide or was at the last second blocked by the Ludlow defence which played well. Perhaps too eager to achieve the equaliser, the final shot on goal was at times taken too early, or shot with too much power (at the cost of accuracy). Case, Lewis and Hearle all had shots which went wide, some only just. 

Ludlow in turn put on the pressure with a number of dangerous moves, producing one or two good saves by Holtz. If there was one short coming of the Magpies, it was their marking at set pieces. At times Riley had an uphill task marshalling his defence. Towards the end of the first half Ludlow forced a corner. As the shot came in confusion reigned in front of the Magpie's goal with the ball finally ending up at a Ludlow player's feet who steered it into the corner of the net.

Half time came with Ludlow two goals in the lead when it could just as easily have been the other way round. 

The second half was much as the first. Good passing movements by both sides with luck remaining firmly with the visitors from the south. The Magpies were now playing uphill but with the wind at their backs. At times the greater strength and speed of the older Ludlow boys showed as they battled for the ball or ran with it. Their midfielders were quick to come forward to support their strikers and quick coming back to help out in defence. Indeed some thought that Ludlow S were the best team the Magpies had played against this season. But the Magpies were by no means outclassed as they battled with determination. Typical of many attacks, a good run by Hearle ended with a strong shot on goal, again just wide. 

In the course of the second half Carless-Turland, Groom and Robinson at various times replaced Smith, Lewis and Brayne.

Ludlow exerted considerable pressure at times, forcing many corners. It was no surprise that they scored two more goals. What was surprising was that the Magpies did not score. For the Magpies had more of the ball and had more shots on goal. Ludlow was simply more efficient at converting their chances. The final score of 0:4 certainly was not a fair reflection of the game. The Magpies inevitably made some mistakes and they will learn from them. Next year, playing as they already do now, and no longer handicapped by being a year or two younger, they may be near unbeatable.

Team: Cameron Holtz, Simon Riley, Michael Brayne, Joe Hearle, Rory Smith , Jack Case, Tom Lewis.  Subs: Ed Groom, Harvey Carless-Turland, Dominic Robinson.