1st December 2007 Abbey Lane v Maltby

[Andy Schofield]

Score
4 - 2

Scorers
Joe Morley
Luke Roome
Alaistair Pickford x 2

Man of the Match
Alastair Pickford
Callum Ibbotson

Match Report

Today started for Martyn and myself at 10:30 with a pitch inspection! and it was 1 vote all!!!
So a 2nd visit at 11:30 when the sun was shining and the rain had stopped made our minds up that we would play!

So 12:45 arrives, the sun has gone and the rain looks like it is here for the day along with gale force winds!!!

1st half Abbey were kicking against the side on wind and rain! A slight tweak in the team saw Tommo up front with Aron, the rational being the lack of goals!
But because Brett made it to training he deserved a start... he had once played in a defensive role against Aston, his performance winning him the MOTM! so into defense he went much to everyones surprise.

The rest of the team remained largely unchanged and we were confidant that if we could hold on in the first half against the elements we would have a good chance.
Well.. to say we held on is an understatement... Defensively the lads were nothing short of sensational. our newest member of the back 4, Brett looked like he had been playing there for years! Adam, Jamie, and luke were also awesome and took no prisoners.
Lee, James, William and Joe did a great job batting against the wind, fighting for everything and doing us all proud.
Tommo and Aron up front had a thankless task, but did a great job and had a couple of chances....
Callum in goal for only his 4th game looked like a true seasoned goalkeeper. He kept us in the game on several occasions diving at attackers feet to save the day! SUPERB!!!
At half time there was no score.. and we had the wind... and the rain behind us!
Spirits were high.
3 inspirational substitutions saw Alaistair, Joel and Caleb take the field replacing Lee, Aron and William.
More of the same ensued and the lads were trying to play some good football in poor conditions.
Joe went on one of his scathing runs down the right looked to cross... then must have thought lets give it a go. He unleashed an unstoppable shot from well outside the corner of the 18yd Box... it was destined for only the top corner... and we were off the mark!
5 mins from the kick off and we were caught sleeping from a throwin (no offside from these chaps!!!) back of the net lands the ball.
Spirits were still high, and so was the belief that the game was not over...
James R is fouled near the corner flag, up steps Luke and curls the ball into the top corner from a very narrow angle... Great strike...
Up front Alaistair came close a few times with some really great strength, skill and determination.
1 corner later and Alaistair is on the score sheet with a great poachers goal..
5 mins after this and he heads home a shot from out wide to put Abbey 3 goals clear!
Maltby did not give up and battled to the end, capturing a late goal to Callums left, Callum got his frozen hand to the ball but could not keep it out, really unlucky, I was surprised he actually moved given how cold he was!!!

A great result lads REALLY WELL DONE!

On a personal note what was really nice to see was a player who is our highest scoring striker being put into defense in what must have seemed like a moment of shear madness... He did not complain and he did a TREMENDOUS job.
We have a team who play for each other which makes it all worth while.
Thanks Guys.

[martyn gosling]

today we were brill well done to all the boys keep it up we said it would come and boy did it.