Royals Match Report 2004-05

Magpies Class Brings Them Out On Top

Clun 2-4 Church Stretton (Groom 2, Carless-Turland, Hearle) (League 08-05-05)

Magpies travelled to Clun for this, the last fixture of their 2004-05 league campaign. Clun had forced a surprising 3-3 draw in the teams' prior encounter at Stretton and it was important that the team came away with the three points. Three changes from the previous match were made. Rory Smith came back into the centre of midfield, replacing the out of form Robinson; Ed Groom replaced Tom Lewis at centre forward, and Harvey Carless-Turland came in for Jack Case on the left wing.

A heavy shower just 15 minutes before kick off gave the pitch a fast playing surface which was of benefit, due to the otherwise long grass at Clun. This led to the Magpies playing some excellent football and they could have scored more than four goals. The opposition also produced some first class moves. If it weren't for some stout defending by Riley, Brayne and Holtz they might also have scored more often. 

If there had been any nervousness at the start among the Magpie players it was dispelled by a beautifully crafted goal within three minutes. The Clun defence was caught off-guard by a delectable little pass from the advancing Groom to the unmarked Hearle to his right. He controlled the ball masterfully, steadied himself and then blasted the ball past the Clun goalkeeper to make it 0-1. Just three minutes later they made it 0-2. A corner by Hearle found the Clun defence unable to clear. A scramble in front of goal ensued which ended with Carless-Turland hooking the ball into the right corner of the Clun goal from close range. 

Clun, however, did not take this lying down. They responded by going onto the attack and for a while it was the Magpies who could not get the ball out of their own half. A first sign of real danger came when Clun was awarded a free kick near the half way line. The shot went just wide. But moments later the Clun defence cleared the ball away and following a mistimed clearance from Brayne, the ball ended up at the feet of their centre-forward. He dribbled forward with great assurance. Holtz came out to meet him but could not get close enough before the Clun striker unleashed an accurate shot to make it 1-2. More attacks followed by Clun but the Magpies defence coped well.  

In the final period of the first half the Magpies began increasingly to control the game. The pitch had dried out a bit further and the Magpies started passing the ball around more and more. One sensational passing movement found the ball going from player to player and from one side of the field to the other. No goal resulted, but the move was a delight to behold. Clun found themselves pinned into their own half with the Magpies quick to the ball, denying Clun possession. At one stage there was a succession of corners as Clun only succeeded in clearing behind their own goal line. But Clun defended obstinately and at the same time kept their deadly effective striker well forward, presenting an ever present danger of a quick counterattack. 

During the half time break Manager Smith encouraged his team to continue to pass the ball around as much as possible. He also encouraged them to pursue the second ball more vigorously.

The second half got underway with some dangerous moves by both sides. But the Magpies increasingly controlled the game. Clun was particularly unfortunate with their goal kicks which lacked power and often failed to go to an unmarked player. This made it difficult for Clun to quickly get the ball forward. The few times the ball did go through to them some resolute defending was required by the Magpies. At the other side, Holtz's goal kicks were some times too hard or too long, going into touch, thus losing possession. But at other times they proved an effective launch pad for Magpies' attacks. 

After 10 minutes Magpies scored their third, when a superb header by Groom to Hearle on the right wing was then crossed into the Clun box. Groom headed the ball backwards into the corner of the goal as the goalkeeper watched helplessly.

This was followed shortly afterwards by a fourth goal for the Magpies. A perfectly timed pass by Carless-Turland to Groom who dribbled it forward, drew the Clun keeper out, rounded him and shot into the empty goal. A well deserved goal for Groom, revelling in his new position of centre forward.

Some more delightful passing movements by the Magpies involving a string of players. But it was not a one-sided game. Every now and then Clun did counter attack, though Brayne and Riley proved difficult to beat. The Magpies mid-fielders also willingly helped out. Smith was outstanding in midfield, covering every inch of the pitch and making many vital challenges and clearances. In one thrilling move he pursued a Clun attacker all the way down the right touch line, finally dispossessing him within touching distance of the corner flag. 

In the final minutes of the game Robinson came on for Brayne, Lewis for Hearle and Case for Carless-Turland. Clun then produced their best move of the match, passing the ball from the left touch line across the Magpies goal to the right where one of their strikers produced an excellent strong shot past Holtz into the left corner. A well deserved goal. Invigorated by this goal Clun mounted some more attacks while the Magpies players who had just come onto the field were still finding their feet. Play moved from one side of the field to the other. The Clun players were quick onto the ball while the Magpies were equally quick to retake possession. Groom almost scored again when on dribbling forward he delayed his shot just a split second too long and a Clun defender succeeded in clearing the ball. At the other end the Clun centre forward again came close to scoring but Holtz just managed to stick out a leg and deflected the shot for a corner. The final whistle came shortly afterwards with Magpies deservedly winners. 

Manager Smith was very pleased with the performance of his team. Playing like today, the Magpies were well capable of winning the cup final against Coreley in two weeks time. Defence played well, midfield played well, the forwards played well. Some excellent crosses came in. There were some exquisite passing movements. The end of the league ended on a high note indeed. 

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