Royals Match Report 2005-06

Royals maintain challenge for league title

 Royals 7-1 Ludlow West (League, 19-04-06)
(Carless-Turland 4, Lewis 2, OG) 

Another mid-week match played under quite good conditions in spite of earlier rains. The sky remained overcast but no rain fell in the course of the match and the pitch was not too wet. Two regular players, Hearle and Robinson, were absent. Brayne replaced Robinson in defence while Groom replaced Hearle on the right wing.

The Royals went straight on to the attack. Brayne passed the ball forward to Carless-Turland who dribbled down the left side. He centred to Lewis who just shot wide. Almost a goal within the first minute! Soon after another cross by Carless-Turland from near the goal line was inadvertently kicked into goal by a Ludlow West defender in an attempt to clear, making it 1-0 to the Royals. The Royals produced some good passing movements but the absence of Hearle changed somewhat the Royals' normal pattern of play. Still, a low cross from Groom from the right across the goal mouth almost allowed Carless-Turland to score. There were more occasions where the Royals came close to scoring. 

Around half way through the first half the goals did start to come. The first one was quite remarkable. Lewis crossed from the right and Carless-Turland appeared to flick the ball into the net with his heel while facing the touch line! Lewis then scored himself. The ball was headed by the Royals three times in front of the Ludlow West goal before it came to Lewis who headed home to make it 3-0. A penalty kick awarded to the Royals was shot narrowly wide by Carless-Turland. 

Ludlow West had their first real scoring opportunity when they were awarded a free kick a few yards outside the Royals' penalty area. But the kick came in too high and sailed harmlessly over the cross bar. Generally the Ludlow West attack did not present much of a threat. Brayne and Riley coped well and Holtz had only two easy shots to save. But there was a final twist in the tail at the end of the game. 

Though 3-0 ahead at half time it was not one of the Royals' better performances. They were slow to the ball, not getting stuck in and against a stronger team would probably not be leading 3-0. 

The second half started with two excellent long shots on goal by Groom which, however, were fielded by the goal keeper. But more goals were not long in coming. A good passing movement by the Royals in the approach to the Ludlow West goal ended with a fierce shot by Carless-Turland to make it 4-0. Some loose defending by Ludlow West left Carless-Turland unmarked and with only the goalkeeper to beat. He made no mistake. He added another goal shortly afterwards at the end of a good passing move by the Royals. He then added yet another goal, the fourth, to his name. An exquisite corner kick taken by him curled in over the goal keeper's head and into the far top corner of the Ludlow West goal. 

Carless-Turland then turned provider. He crossed the ball from the left to Lewis. From still far out Lewis unleashed a strong shot to make the tally 7-0. Smith then came close to scoring, hitting the ball just past the left upright. Groom too came close to scoring when he headed a cross from Carless-Turland just wide. 

As mentioned, Ludlow West did mount a few attacks on the Royals goal. A couple demanded saves by Holtz. But towards the end of the game they launched their best move by far. They attacked the Royals goal in numbers, passing the ball well and for once outnumbering and outfoxing the Royals' defence. A final pass in front of goal provided an easy goal scoring opportunity which they took and which gave them a great deal of pleasure. Inspired by their goal they played their best football in the dying minutes of the game. They worked very hard to add to their tally, but lacked the skill to break through a second time. 

Although not at their best, still a good win for the Royals, adding three points to their league total and improving their goal difference. Had they been at their best the Royals could have scored several more goals.

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