MATCH REPORTS FOR 2006/2007 SEASON

Match Report for Sunday 3rd September 2006

HAYNES RESERVES 1-1 Yorkie

The first league game of the season was finally upon us. Unfortunately it bought with it the worst possible weather for a football match; strong wind! Everyone was eager to start the campaign following all the pre-season friendlies and training.

Haynes started with Mark Kelly in goal, a back four of Antwon, Mark Endersby, Ben Stagg & Bardo. In midfield Stu Kelly and Carl started out wide with myself in the middle with the long lost hairy Mexican. Up front we had the two Tims.

The game started off with a decent tempo as both sides seemed eager to impress in the early stages. It became a fairly physical affair as well with some strong challenges going in all over the park. Haynes dominated the ball in the first and were almost camped in the opposition half at times. Despite all the possession, corners free-kicks etc we couldn’t make a breakthrough despite having the wind in our favour. Highlights of the first half included Carl Bennett being booked for a late challenge on the keeper and Ben Stagg getting away with a free-kick whilst being the last man! We finally got the breakthrough about 4 minutes before the break.

It hadn’t been easy to play any sort of football in the conditions. However the first time we managed to put a few passes together saw Timmy pick the ball up at the edge of the box. He took a touch and then neatly curled it around the keeper and inside the far post to put us one up! Incidentally this was the second great goal Timmy had scored in recent weeks despite his habit of scoring pretty ugly goals.

The second half saw a reverse of fortunes as Yorkie threw everything at us with the wind now in their favour. It was their turn it seemed to take up camp on the far side of the village hall field. Some resolute defending and a fantastic performance by Mark in goal saw us hang on for a while. Eventually though Bardo was adjudged to have felled the opposition striker in our box and a harsh penalty was awarded!! The Striker took it himself and tucked into the corner giving Mark no chance. 1-1.

Yorkie continued to dominate the possession but as the game wore on we managed to create the odd counter attack. With the game in the closing stages both sides could have won it. Mark again kept us in it with some fine saves and we failed to convert our few chances at the other end.

In the end we should be pleased with a point. Nobody can play football in those sort of conditions and a drew was the fair result. A good start to the campaign though so well done to everyone.

Player Ratings

Mark Kelly – Absolutely genius performance at the start of the season. He deserved the point we picked up for this result for his performance alone! MOTM – 9

Antwon – Solid as ever from last years player of the season. Even managed the odd run forward in a desperate attempt to justify his wild £20 flutter with Timmy – 8

Mark Endersby – A good performance in a busy back-line. Did well considering his lack of pre-season matches – 7

Ben Stagg – Very good performance from the new boy. Organised and made a few very important interceptions. Highlight was his demise after being taken out by the sniper on the village hall roof – 8

Bardo – Solid at the back and some good balls forward. Gave away the penalty, but even the opposition admitted the decision was harsh – 7

Stu Kelly – Caused problems first half down the right, but faded in the second after picking up a knock early in the game – 6

Adam Fernandes © – Same height as Makelele and played in the same role. Effective and vocal performance – 7

Dan Lawton –

Carl Bennett – Good outlet on the left first half and then on the right second half. Fancied himself as a forward late on – 7

Tim West – Some good runs and created a few opportunities. The start of a promising partnership – 7

Timmy Lawton – Battled very hard and took his goal very well. Very strong in the air as usual. Strong performance - 8

Subs

Ryan Simpson (replaced Stuart Kelly)
Michael Forrd (replaced Ben Stagg)
Peter Sharman
Peter Allen
Simon Peet

OLD REPORTS

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