Royals Match Report 2004-05
Five
goals in the net, three more points in the bag
Church Stretton 5-3 Ludlow West (Lewis,
Smith, Brayne, Riley, OG)
(League 21/11/04)
The morning of Sunday November 21st
was bitterly cold and dull-grey with an icy wind blowing from the east
across pitch. Snow was still lying on the surrounding hills. The pitch
was wet and slippery after wet snow had fallen in abundance the day
before. A number of players donned gloves. As the match progressed it
seemed to warm up a bit, or was it the excitement? For a thrilling match
it was, and some good football was on display.
With Ludlow W second from bottom in
the league an easy game was in prospect. The Magpies did indeed start
with a flourish, launching a series of strong attacks on the Ludlow
goal. Having scored sparingly in many of the earlier matches, it came as
something of a shock when, after just ten minutes, three goals had
already been scored. The first goal was an own goal. Lewis dribbled the
ball down the right side and when challenged slipped an accurate cross
to Case who fired in a shot that a Ludlow defender hopelessly mis-timed
his clearance, resulting in the ball in the back of the net. Not long
after an excellent cross from Hearle found Smith unmarked in front of
goal. He made no mistake, sliding the ball past the keeper. Another
excellent cross from Hearle this time found Lewis in front of goal who
headed home. It began to look as if the Magpies might reach double
figures.
That proved over-ambitious. Ludlow
fought back with determination and some passion and were soon to be
rewarded for their efforts. A powerful kick from far out by one of their
big forwards beat Holtz and found the net. Two more Ludlow attacks were
frustrated by Holtz diving at the attackers' feet to smother the ball.
More attacks by the Magpies on the Ludlow goal followed, showing good
movement. Yet another good cross by Hearle was headed over the bar by
Lewis. Case had a good shot on goal which was saved. In an exciting move
Hearle bore down on the Ludlow goal and another goal appeared assured.
But the final shot was blocked by a defender who suddenly appeared from
nowhere. Hearle also produced some excellent corners throughout the
first half. Some were headed over by the Magpie strikers, some were put
out for more corners by the Ludlow defence, some eluded everybody. More
good dribbling and shooting by Lewis followed, but no additions to the
three goal tally. Indeed the last word in the first half came from
Ludlow. A goal kick by Holtz went straight to a Ludlow striker who
eagerly snapped up the opportunity and produced a strong shot which
sailed unstoppable into the back of the net.
Half time came with the Magpies
leading by only one goal. The margin could have been, and should have
been, wider. Some weaknesses were discussed during the break. The
Magpies were at time too static, not running for the ball with enough
passion. The marking left something to be desired. Carless-Turland was
put on in place of Case.
Taking to heart Manager Smiths
exhortations, the Magpies started the second half with a series of
strong attacks, often spearheaded by a very active Carless-Turland. Only
some good saves by the Ludlow goal keeper prevented the Magpies from
increasing their lead. Groom then replaced Hearle and Robinson came on
for Lewis. Brayne was moved forward. More scoring opportunities came the
Magpies way. One was a free kick quite far out taken by Brayne. His
powerful shot went just wide. From a corner a scramble in front of the
Ludlow goal ensued with the ball going forward and backward like in a
Ping-Pong game until Riley got hold of it and drove it into the corner
of the net to make it 4-2. With the lead widened it now seemed certain
that the Magpies would emerge as victors to the relief of their
supporters. More scoring opportunities presented themselves. In another
goal mouth scramble Smith had no less than three shots on goal, each one
blocked but not cleared until the ball was finally lost. A final goal
for the Magpies came when Brayne shot from quite far out, beating the
keeper.
Ludlow too mounted a number of
attacks which met some stern defensive work by Riley and Robinson. Riley
in particular appeared in full command of the Magpies half while
Robinson fought hard for every ball with tenacity which has become his
hallmark. Holtz also made a couple of good saves. In the final minutes
he was, however, unable to do much about a powerful shot from a Ludlow
striker when the Magpies failed to clear.
The final score of 5-3 was perhaps
slightly flattering for Ludlow. The Magpies were always in command of
the game, had more of the ball, looked the more dangerous on attack and
had many more shots on goal. All in all a satisfactory performance.
Team: Cameron Holtz,
Simon Riley, Michael Brayne, Joe Hearle, Rory Smith, Jack Case, Tom Lewis. Subs:
Harvey Carless-Turland, Ed Groom, Dominic Robinson
