chris@tmseurope.co.u
04-13-2009, 11:48 AM
12th April 2009
Abbey Lane 1 SWYO 8
Scorer. George Morfitt
This bottom of the table Easter Sunday clash was the last opportunity for Abbey Lane to start winning games and progress out of the bottom three. Abbey Lane had an opportunity to build on their last performance against Brinsworth and stop this run of 12 consecutive defeats. However, only 10 players could play with Sean Froggatt, Sam Beech and Ben Pond all absent but a welcome return for Goalkeeper Chris Marshall and Liam Pashley. Another disappointing turnout of players but the team had performed well against Rawmarsh last Sunday with the same number of players. Once again Oliver Ledger was positioned up front on his own with a 4-4-1 formation.
The pitch was hard and rutted and it was evident from the start that passing was going to be difficult. The game started and no real chances were created from both sides with Abbey Lane struggling to match their performance level against Brinsworth and the opposition unable to capitalise on their one player advantage. SWYO defence caught Oliver Ledger offside on a couple of occasions and it was only some good wing play by Chris Davis-Smith with two good crosses which created anything like an opportunity for Abbey Lane. The first 30 minutes brought a stalemate but SWYO had posed no threat to the Abbey Lane goal. However, this was to dramatically change during the last 10 minutes of the half when SWYO took a 4-0 lead. The first from outside the box when the unchallenged Brinsworth player was allowed to shoot and the ball was directed into the corner of the net. The second from a cross with a header directed into the penalty that was put away by a diving header from the SWYO forward. The third from a mistake by George Morfitt with a pass back to Chris Marshall falling short and the fourth from a ball passed through the Abbey Lane defence and the offside forward finished well. A mad 10 minutes that totally changed the format of the game.
For the second half Abbey Lane made some fundamental changes, Liam Pashley was reverted into a back three with Ashden Morely and Chris Howe, George Morfitt was to partner Oliver Ledger up front with Richard Hirst going into centre midfield. Goals had to be scored and at this stage the game was still on, everybody felt confident at half-time and the first 20 minutes of the second half saw Abbey Lane press forward with the rampant George Morfitt flattening anything that got in his way even though the ball was in the other half. Abbey Lane pressed forward but only a couple of corners for reward, one of which saw a Chris Davis-Smith shot cleared off the line. For all their effort the SWYO goalkeeper had little to trouble him and the opposition’s resilience was rewarded when they began another four goal onslaught. The 10 men of Abbey Lane tired and the opposition took full advantage extending their lead to 8-0 within another 15 minute period. The out stretched back 3 could not cope with the 5 players running at them on every counter attack with the Abbey Lane midfield tired and being out run.
George Morfitt scored a consolation goal for Abbey Lane and James Halliday’s shot late on from outside the penalty area brought a fine save from the SWYO goalkeeper.
This was a very disappointing result after two good performances against Rawmarsh and Brinsworth, however the players that turn up every game and play without a full team deserve the upmost praise for their commitment and loyalty to Abbey Lane football club.
Abbey Lane 1 SWYO 8
Scorer. George Morfitt
This bottom of the table Easter Sunday clash was the last opportunity for Abbey Lane to start winning games and progress out of the bottom three. Abbey Lane had an opportunity to build on their last performance against Brinsworth and stop this run of 12 consecutive defeats. However, only 10 players could play with Sean Froggatt, Sam Beech and Ben Pond all absent but a welcome return for Goalkeeper Chris Marshall and Liam Pashley. Another disappointing turnout of players but the team had performed well against Rawmarsh last Sunday with the same number of players. Once again Oliver Ledger was positioned up front on his own with a 4-4-1 formation.
The pitch was hard and rutted and it was evident from the start that passing was going to be difficult. The game started and no real chances were created from both sides with Abbey Lane struggling to match their performance level against Brinsworth and the opposition unable to capitalise on their one player advantage. SWYO defence caught Oliver Ledger offside on a couple of occasions and it was only some good wing play by Chris Davis-Smith with two good crosses which created anything like an opportunity for Abbey Lane. The first 30 minutes brought a stalemate but SWYO had posed no threat to the Abbey Lane goal. However, this was to dramatically change during the last 10 minutes of the half when SWYO took a 4-0 lead. The first from outside the box when the unchallenged Brinsworth player was allowed to shoot and the ball was directed into the corner of the net. The second from a cross with a header directed into the penalty that was put away by a diving header from the SWYO forward. The third from a mistake by George Morfitt with a pass back to Chris Marshall falling short and the fourth from a ball passed through the Abbey Lane defence and the offside forward finished well. A mad 10 minutes that totally changed the format of the game.
For the second half Abbey Lane made some fundamental changes, Liam Pashley was reverted into a back three with Ashden Morely and Chris Howe, George Morfitt was to partner Oliver Ledger up front with Richard Hirst going into centre midfield. Goals had to be scored and at this stage the game was still on, everybody felt confident at half-time and the first 20 minutes of the second half saw Abbey Lane press forward with the rampant George Morfitt flattening anything that got in his way even though the ball was in the other half. Abbey Lane pressed forward but only a couple of corners for reward, one of which saw a Chris Davis-Smith shot cleared off the line. For all their effort the SWYO goalkeeper had little to trouble him and the opposition’s resilience was rewarded when they began another four goal onslaught. The 10 men of Abbey Lane tired and the opposition took full advantage extending their lead to 8-0 within another 15 minute period. The out stretched back 3 could not cope with the 5 players running at them on every counter attack with the Abbey Lane midfield tired and being out run.
George Morfitt scored a consolation goal for Abbey Lane and James Halliday’s shot late on from outside the penalty area brought a fine save from the SWYO goalkeeper.
This was a very disappointing result after two good performances against Rawmarsh and Brinsworth, however the players that turn up every game and play without a full team deserve the upmost praise for their commitment and loyalty to Abbey Lane football club.