Royals Match Report 2005-06

Royals grind out victory in scrappy game

  Ludlow North 0-1 Royals (Cup Quarter Final 2nd Leg, 12-11-05)
(Lewis)

The return match against Ludlow North proved something of an anticlimax after the high drama of the first leg. The football was not of the same high calibre with many errors made by both sides. The fluent passing game of the week before was only sporadically in evidence. Though it was a splendidly clear day, the pitch was hard as well as wet from rain earlier. The bounce of the ball was high and it tended to skid off the surface. The Royals were clearly the better side, both in attack and in defence, but without their usual flourish even though fielding the same side. Both goal keepers were in good form. The Ludlow North one had more to do. He pulled off some excellent saves which was a contributing factor in the Royals' bagging only one goal.

After the controversy of the 1st leg, SSJFL sent Mr Graham Simmons to referee the game, and it has to be said that it went without incident.

The early part of the game provided scoring opportunities for both teams. The Royals did launch some good attacks which, with some luck, could have produced a goal or two. On one occasion Lewis did find the back of the net but the goal was disallowed because of an earlier infringement. Finally a goal was scored by the Royals. Not one of their spectacular ones, but they all count. It came from an untidy scramble in front of the Ludlow North goal. The defence failed to clear the ball and Lewis was on hand to poke the ball into the back of the net. 

A spectacular kick did materialise a few minutes on. A free kick taken by Hearle was a cracker, just pushed over the cross bar by the Ludlow North keeper. Towards the end of the first half Ludlow North almost equalised. Some good passing by Ludlow North approaching the Royals' goal found one Ludlow North player with a clear sight of goal. The strong shot was heading for the right corner but Holtz pulled off a fantastic reflex save to divert the ball for a corner. 

Manager Smith said at half time that the Royals certainly deserved to be a goal up, but that they were playing far from their best. They were often not getting to the ball first and giving the opposition too much time on the ball. The defence was also not as solid as it has been in the past. Tackles were at times half hearted. The team all agreed that they could play better and that they would play better in the second half. 

The second half was, however, similar to the first half. There were some good episodes. For instance an excellent corner by Hearle found the head of
Carless-Turland whose header narrowly went wide. But overall there was no great improvement on the first half. The Royals were still a bit slow to the ball, the passing at times untidy, not finding the intended partner. Ludlow North had another opportunity to equalise when they were awarded a free kick on the edge of the Royals' penalty area, after Carless-Turland was judged to have used unsporting behaviour by attempting to put off his opponent. A low curling shot towards the right hand upright was only just diverted for a corner by Holtz.

In the course of the second half Groom replaced Carless-Turland and Brayne replaced Robinson. Ludlow North had a good spell for a while, attacking the Royals' goal. It seemed as if they might get back into the game. But they failed to score and towards the end of the game the Royals were again in command. Thought the passing remained somewhat ragged there were also some good movements. Groom had a golden opportunity to score but the Ludlow North keeper rushed out to smother the shot. Groom also nearly headed home from another superb corner by Hearle. Another skilful save by the Ludlow North keeper kept out a cracking long range shot by Hearle. Thus when the final whistle blew, the score was still only
1-0 for the Royals. 

It was not one of their memorable games in spite of the occasional flashes of class, but it puts the Royals into the semi finals. No goals were conceded, also an important achievement.

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