|
|
|
|
| Home | Contacts | Location & Map | Feedback | Login |
Fixtures |
 RSS Feeds
 Mobile Device (WAP) Service
|
| Team: | Mens 5A |
| Date: | Sat. 6th Feb. 2010 |
| Start Time: | 12:00 |
| Opposition: | Blackheath 5th |
| Score: | 2 - 2 Draw |
| Scorers: | Adrian Hull, Jade Pierce |
Match Report:
The 5a’s were resuming league action after a friendly last weekend, and they knew from the start they were in for a challenge when Blackheath 5’s had 14 players for the 12:00 push back at Sedgehill School. It was the away team who started the brighter on the sandy pitch, but failed to connect with the final pass in the early stages.
The defence of Michael Edwards, Nick Long, Rob Hatton and man of the match Matt Thompsett were looking comfortable in front of formidable keeper Mark Garbett. This allowed the midfield of captain Adrian Hull, Alan Green, Darren Wilders and the returning Jade Pierce to express themselves going forward and this led to the opening goal.
It came from Holcombe’s second short corner after the first was saved by a defender on the line from Hull’s strike. The push out was picked up by Pierce who committed a defender before slipping the ball to Hull. He had his stick attacked by two defenders but the umpire allowed a good advantage as Hull regained the ball and passed it into the bottom corner past a stranded keeper.
It stayed 1-0 until half time despite the best efforts of forwards Steve Caulfield, Richard Cottam and Wayne Errington, foiled by the keeper, last ditch interceptions or poor decision making with the final pass on a number of occasions.
It was the home side which started brightest in the second half and after Holcombe had surrendered the ball in midfield following a change at half time, the score was brought back level, Garbett left with no chance. The ascendancy was then with the home team as the numbers started to count and Holcs struggled to build any attacks through misplaced passes. It was no real surprise when Blackheath went 2-1 up. Edwards deflected the ball as Garbett was stepping forward to clear and the forward on hand scored an easy goal. This followed a spell of possession and dominance from the home side which Holcs struggled to break up.
However, the 5a’s have shown repeatedly this season that they will not lie down and suffer defeats easily, and the final 20 minutes of the game consisted of Holcombe attacking and applying pressure and Heath counterattacking to keep the defence busy. It was Holcombe who scored next as Wilders broke down the right, found Hull who crossed for Cottam, who’s connection saw the keeper taken out of the game and found Pierce at the back post for a tap in which he duly put away.
In the closing stages the home keeper saved well in open play from Cottam and Errington, and Caulfield and Hull had short corner efforts saved by him too, Caulfield’s in particular looking likely to win the game before the keeper probably earned the man of the match award for the home side with the save. Despite the constant pressure in the final minutes, Holcombe had to take the point back to Medway, which was slightly disappointing given the 3-0 win at Holcombe Park earlier in the season and the amount of pressure exerted towards the end.
Next week is a home tie against a Tonbridge Wells side which took all the points when Holcombe travelled for the away game earlier in the season, so Hull will be looking for a response to these dropped points and to maintain the sides 100% home record in the league this season, the only one still held at Holcombe.
