Royals Match Report 2004-05

Errors and Lack of Passion Result in Defeat for Magpies

Coreley 3-1 Church Stretton (Carless-Turland) (League 17/04/05)

Magpies returned to Clee Hill for their match against Coreley, a ground were they had previous won by a single goal. The sun was shining, but a cold wind blowing across pitch reminded everyone that summer was still some way off. A game that magpies needed to win to continue their good form leading up to their cup semi final, saw them defeated due to a lack of passion and some bad errors. 

The match started in lively fashion with both sides creating attacking moves early on, hoping to take the lead. Lewis provided an early thrill to the Magpies supporters. Latching on to an accurate pass from Carless-Turland he let loose an excellent shot on goal, but the ball went just wide. Hopes were further raised by a determined dribble down the middle by Lewis. Carless-Turland on the left made life difficult for the Coreley defenders with his ability to get past defenders, but a killer cross failed to materialise. Hearle on the right made a number of his trademark runs down the right flank, but without the required finishing touch. 

At their own end the Magpies' defence had some difficulties getting properly into their stride. Some haphazard attempted clearances made for much anxiety. Rather than getting the ball away first time the Magpies defence tried to dribble forward or sideways, made some ineffective short passes or just took pot luck with their clearance kicks. It cost them dearly. One scramble to the left of the Magpies' goal ended with Coreley taking the lead. Goal keeper Holtz failed to pick up a ball or kick it away fearing it would be considered a back pass as it had last come off the boot of a Magpie defender. A Coreley striker latched onto the loose ball and tapped in the softest of goals, giving Coreley an undeserved 1-0 lead. 

For the remainder of the first half the Magpies tried hard to get back into the game. But a long series of attacks on the Coreley goal failed to produce a goal. Perhaps not as skilled, the Coreley players showed considerable passion, were quick onto the ball and defended with great determination. The Magpies on the other hand showed some hesitation and a lack of that killer instinct. Passes too often went astray. There was little darting into space or the clever switch to confuse the Coreley defence. Shots on goal always seemed to go straight into the arms of the Coreley goal keeper who appeared to possess a very safe pair of hands. Many of the Magpies' shots went wide or were deflected for a corner. Numerous corners also failed to produce a breakthrough as Coreley massed in front of their goal. The pitch was on the small side and there always seemed to be too many Coreley bodies shielding their goal. 

Half time came with Coreley still maintaining their one goal lead. Robinson replaced Smith in midfield. Manager Smith called for greater passion and speed onto the ball. The Magpies responded and set out to turn around the game with admirable determination. They almost succeeded within the first few minutes. A free kick was awarded to the Magpies just inside the Coreley half. As practised in training, Hearle only pretended to take the free kick. Instead Carless-Turland flicked the ball towards Brayne whose magnificent shot only just sailed over the cross bar of the Coreley goal. The Magpies now redoubled their attacks. An equaliser seemed inevitable. Coreley pulled nearly all their players back and defended desperately. Hearle, Lewis and Carless-Turland faced a forest of legs blocking the way to goal. Robinson, Brayne and Riley played well forward, doing their bit to achieve a break through. At last it came. Carless-Turland was the one who finally found the back of the net, steering the ball successfully through the throng of players. 

Fired up by this success the Magpies virtually camped in the Coreley half of the pitch. Attack followed attack with all the Magpies playing up front.. But the forest of legs again barred the way. Worst, it left the Magpies exposed at the back. Coreley launched a counter attack down the left touch line. Brayne in defence saw the ball go out of touch, but the referee waved play on and a Coreley striker advanced menacingly on the Magpies' goal. Holtz rushed out and smothered the ball. But the referee judged that he had impeded the Coreley attacker and awarded a penalty. The penalty was calmly taken and shot into the left corner of the goal, making it 2-1. The goal was very much against the run of play and the infringement for which the penalty was awarded was seen only by the referee, leaving the Magpies and their supporters perplexed. 

Upset by the failure of the linesman to judge that the ball had gone out of play, Brayne stormed of the pitch in tears and was replaced by Groom. The Magpies continued to play very hard to get back on even terms. But the Coreley defence also played very hard to keep the Magpies out. They were quick on the ball and good at just thumping the ball out of play, thus averting danger. Manager Smith made a tactical switch, replacing Carless-Turland by Case. Though continuing to attack the Coreley goal, passes often still went astray and few shots actually landed on target. The Magpies attack became somewhat disjointed. Coreley launched a number of counter attacks. On a couple of occasions Holtz ran out to gather or deflect the ball. But on one occasion he only managed to palm the ball away and Coreley's central striker shot the rebound back into the net to make it 3-1. 

The final whistle blew shortly afterwards. It was a thrilling game, but a very disappointing one for the Magpies. What Coreley lacked in skill they made up with passion. Pulling players back into defence made it difficult for the Magpies to see much of the goal. While the forward positions taken up by the Magpie defenders left them exposed at the back. The lucky breaks all seemed to go Coreley's way.

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