Royals Match Report 2006-07

Royals claim points but are far from fluent
Coreley 1-3 Royals (League, 05-11-06)
(Hearle, Lewis, Bourne)

Royals travelled to Coreley for their first afternoon game of the season.  Last time, the two teams had met, in the first round of the cup, Royals scored an emphatic victory by ten goals to one.  After failing to win in their last three outings, the team desperately needed to get back to winning ways, if they were to qualify for division one in the Christmas split of the league. 

Royals were without Riley (injured), Robinson (suspended) and Kuegler (not available).  However Smith was available after returning from injury. 

Royals won the toss and elected to kick up the hill, and against the wind in the first half.  It soon became apparent that this match would not be similar to the previous encounter.  The Royals’ team were lethargic, slow and unable to maintain any decent amount of possession.  Coreley, however, were half a yard faster and played with a determination that the Royals did not possess. 

After 18 minutes, a mix up in the Royals' defence gave Coreley the breakthrough they deserved.  A clearance from the Coreley goalkeeper found a midfield player in space, who quickly passed the ball through to his forward, who neatly tucked the ball home past a diving Holtz.  The ball could and should have been cleared before the Coreley striker latched on to the pass. 

Royals soaked up more pressure during the last 10 minutes of the first half.  However Coreley were unable to double their advantage. 

The second half saw Allan and Bourne introduced replacing Green and Groom, respectively.  These changes, together with the Royals now kicking down the slope enabled them to start taking control of the game. 

Seven minutes into the second half Allan had a goal disallowed after scoring from a freekick that was unfortunately indirect.  Royals were having more and more possession, and it was only a matter of time before the resolute Coreley defence was broken down.  Hearle was the provider of a well worked goal after he was sent a pass down the right hand side of the pitch.  He then cut in, took the ball around a defender and slotted the ball home. 

Five minutes later Lewis made it 2-1 with a simple goal after he had outpaced the Coreley defender in the penalty area.

Royals were now virtually camped in the Coreley half and a third goal seemed inevitable.  With seven minutes to go Groom replaced Hearle, and Green replaced Agnew.  The third goal came with five minutes remaining and was scored by Bourne after Lewis nodded the ball on, just inside the penalty area. 

Royals will be pleased with the three points but not with the way in which they achieved them.  If they are to be a force after Christmas, then they will surely need to perform from the moment the game starts, instead of waiting until they are chasing the game.

Team: Cameron Holtz, Jack Agnew, Michael Weynberg, Michael Brayne, Joe Hearle, Luke Miles, Sam Green, Rory Smith, Harvey Carless-Turland, Ed Groom, Tom Lewis
Subs:  Will Bourne, Jacob Allan