Royals Match Report 2004-05

Magpies drop points against lowly Clun.

Church Stretton 3-3 Clun (Hearle, Brayne, OG) (League 26/02/05)

The bitterly cold weather which reigned for much of February relented somewhat on this Saturday morning. It was still cold with snow on the surrounding hills, but the pitch was not frozen nor was it too muddy. The Magpies were looking forward to what should have been one of their easier matches against bottom of the league Clun. That is not how it turned out!

Magpies made an excellent attacking start to the game. They had all the possession and virtually camped in Clun's half. Slick passing and continued possession put the opposition under pressure. Within a few minutes from kick-off one passing movement between Carless-Turland and Lewis drew defenders to the left side of the pitch. The ball was then passed to Smith in the centre who was desperately unlucky when his shot hit the post with the Clun goal keeper well beaten. 

With all this pressure it was no surprise when the Magpies opened the scoring. An excellent pass from Brayne to Carless-Turland down the left side again had the Clun defence in a twist, only able to kick the ball behind their own goal line for a corner. Hearle took the corner. His shot hit a defender and bounced back into Hearle's path. Running in from the left he curled the ball over the heads of the defenders and into the top corner of the net to make the score 1-0. 

From another corner taken by Hearle, Clun cleared and made their first real attack on the Magpie's goal with a good passing movement. Repossessing the ball the Magpies launched another attack with some more slick passing which ended with a shot by Hearle going just wide of the post. But Clun was slowly getting more into the game. Breaking through a couple of tackles a Clun striker advanced on the Magpies goal but his forward dribble was too strong and goal keeper Holtz was able to throw himself on the ball. Magpies continued to play well with good passing movements and a number of shots towards goal which were either wide or cleared. No killer shot was forthcoming. Clun too had a couple of efforts on goal which were saved. 

After 20 minutes Carless-Turland was replaced by Case due to injury. 

A determined dribble forward by Lewis brought forth a strong shot which, however, went straight to the goal keeper who failed to hold on to it. A Clun defender under intense pressure and in an attempt to clear the ball kicked the rebound into his own goal to make it 2-0 to the Magpies. But this comfortable lead was not to last for long. Clun was awarded a free kick when a Magpie player was penalised for use of an arm. A very good kick from quite far out by their principal striker found Holtz unable to fully get hold of it. Instead of tipping it over the bar, he tipped it against the cross bar from where it bounced into goal. Bad luck for him, but a deserved goal for Clun who had started to work very hard to get back into the game. Half time then came with the Magpies lead reduced to one goal. 

The second half got underway with Riley replacing Groom at right back. Clun now played with great determination, inspired by their earlier goal. Their principal striker, who had already scored three times against the Magpies in an earlier encounter, scored two more goals in quick succession. The first was a brilliant effort into the top left corner which was well beyond Holtz's reach. The second one was from a more difficult angle from the right. Holtz was unable to get a hand to it and it just went in at the left post. Thus Clun led for the first time in the match by 3-2. 

The equaliser came with 10 minutes to go. Getting hold of the ball in midfield Brayne made a determined run towards the Clun goal and let loose a fierce shot while still quite far out. It cannoned past the Clun goal keeper into the back of the net. 

Clun fought hard to claim the lead back. At times they appeared to be on fire. One dangerous move was just frustrated by Riley heading the ball out. Several others required saves by Holtz. An injury to Brayne then brought Robinson on. But the Magpies responded well, desperately trying to regain the lead themselves. Luck was not on the Magpies' side. A good corner kick by Hearle found Riley whose kick just sailed over the cross bar. The ineffective Case was then taken off, replaced by the recovered Brayne. He assumed a forward role and soon had another strong kick on goal which went just wide. A good pass from Riley to Hearle brought forth a terrific shot from Hearle which hit the cross bar and bounced over. The Magpies now launched attack after attack Another strong shot by Brayne was deflected for a corner. From the corner Brayne headed just wide of the right upright. Another good try by Hearle went just wide. Lewis burst through but the ball was cleared in the nick of time by a defender. In extra time Riley from far out hit the cross bar with the ball flopping over. 

Final score 3-3. In the end probably a fair reflection. The Magpies had more of the ball but, once in front of goal, often did not make best use of it. Some shots on goal lacked venom. Other shots were excellent, but hit the woodwork. Yet others only just sailed wide. Carless-Turland was badly missed after his injury. Clun played better and better as the game wore on. They played to their strength, defending deep while their Wayne Rooney style striker produced some deadly moves up front (and scored all Clun's goals). Though in the final tense minutes it was all Magpies. With just a sliver of luck they could have made it 4:3.

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