Royals Match Report 2004-05

Magpies Quality Shows as they Dominate

Church Stretton 5-2 Ludlow North (Riley 2, Carless-Turland, Groom, Brayne)(League 30/04/05)
 

An overcast Saturday morning found the Magpies once more facing Ludlow North. Overnight rain had made the pitch a bit heavy, but there was hardly any breeze. 

Some changes were made from the starting line up, that could only manage a draw 3 days previously. Groom replaced the jaded Lewis at centre-forward, Brayne replaced Robinson at left back and Carless-Turland replaced Case on the left wing. The Magpies played uphill in the first half and took a while to really get going. A couple of early shots on goal lacked venom and were easily saved by Ludlow North's keeper. As the first half progressed the Magpies started to gel and had more and more possession. On 7 minutes an excellent cross by Hearle was headed towards goal by Carless-Turland going just wide. The bounce of a strong long range shot by Hearle almost found the back of the net but the keeper just managed to beat it away for a corner. A long range shot by Riley was also just wide. From a corner by Hearle, Groom headed narrowly wide. The Magpies' passing began improving and a goal began to look increasingly likely. 

The game at this stage was certainly not one-sided. One good counterattack by Ludlow North ended with the final kick going wide of the right upright. Another strong kick on goal after a corner was only stopped from going in by Groom putting his body in the way. Indeed in the middle of the first half Ludlow North had a good attacking spell, their best period of the match. But Brayne and Riley played with great assurance and on most occasions cleared competently.

Magpies' first goal was a beauty. From a corner by Hearle Ludlow North failed to clear properly. The ball came to Riley 10 yards out. He let loose a cannon ball of a shot which had the Ludlow North net bulging to make the score 1-0.

Ludlow North however equalised within minutes. From a free kick not that far within the Magpies half Ludlow North's burly defender had a strong shot on goal. It bounced once, in front of Holtz and went over his head into the back of the net.

But it was not long before the Magpies restored their lead. It was once more Riley with a long range shot which was possibly even more stunning than his first one. Again from a corner by Hearle the ball was passed back to Riley who once more fired home, giving the goal keeper no chance whatsoever. 

By now the Magpies were fully into their stride and Ludlow North was on the defensive most of the time. They did defend quite well, but once more it was Riley who was their Nemesis. From a corner taken by Ludlow North the Magpies got the ball back and broke forward at speed. Riley's strong shot on goal was this time straight at the keeper. He failed to hold on to it and Carless-Turland stormed in and whipped the ball into goal. 

Half time followed with the Magpies on top of their game. Manager Smith complemented his team for playing great football with lively attacking passing in front and solid defending by Riley and Brayne at the back. Groom proved a great success at centre forward while Hearle, Smith and Carless-Turland controlled the midfield. 

In the second half the Magpies played down hill and brimful of confidence. It was a joy to see them move the ball about even if against a team which was not the strongest in the league. The first chance in the second half actually fell to Ludlow North. A dangerous attacking move ended with a striker hooking the ball just wide of the Magpies' goal. But it was the Magpies who soon added to their tally. Another excellent corner by Hearle found Groom who banged it passed the hapless keeper. 

The Magpies now dominated play, though it was not as if Ludlow did not make frequent forays into the Magpies half. From one corner they almost scored, the ball scuttling just past the right upright. from another they did score. A long shot from quite far out did not seem menacing at all. But their appeared to be some confusion there between Riley and Holtz about who should deal with it and the ball ended in the back of the net to make it 4-2. 

In the final phase of the game Lewis came on for Hearle, Case for Groom and Robinson for Riley. More excellent passing movements followed as the Magpies now overshadowed their opponents, adding a final goal to their tally. A beautifully taken corner by Carless-Turland found Brayne who leapt up to head the ball home.

A brilliant effort providing a suitable ending to a heart warming display of open, passing, attacking football, although it was a great shame to once again concede goals that we should really be dealing with. 

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