Mens 3rd's vs South Notts, 17/01/2009

Following complaints from my team of “watered down match reports”, I thought this weeks match against league leaders South Notts deserved a greater report.

Going into the match there was some trepidation as South Notts had won every match in the league since their initial loss at the beginning of the season at our hands. We therefore knew that South Notts were hungry for revenge. This was certainly evident from the start of the match as South Notts attacked in numbers. Their efforts were soon repaid with a goal scored at a tight angle close to the left post. Minutes later South Notts thought that everything was going to plan when they put the ball in the back of the net from a short corner. However the umpires correctly judged that the ball had rebounded off a South Notts player’s foot before being struck into the goal. This seemed to distract South Notts and Asterdale took the initiative. Asterdale started to mark the opposition better and started to make some effective inroads on the opposition’s D. After several attacks the ball was scrambled across the line by Kyle Sev. At half time the score line was 1-1 and the team retired to the opposite goal mouth to plan our assault on the second half of the match.

After some strong words from the Captain to keep possession of the ball and keep the strong marking going, and some wise words from Pete Chesney (no sniggering please) to not feel pressured when in possession of the ball, Asterdale came out stronger in the second half. At the beginning of the second half South Notts almost scored but stand in goal keeper Nick Boulton was more than ready for them made several effective blocks. After this Asterdale had the run of the play. Left back Darren Howard even managed to make it to the edge of the oppositions D, but had to retire back to our half quickly before his nose bleed worsened. For some reason South Notts kept leaving Pete Chesney unmarked. This resulted in Pete scoring an uncharacteristic spectacular goal struck into the top right hand corner (these shots normally sail over the cross bar!). A 3rd goal was scored by a well struck shot from Dave Green. However it was probably Asterdale’s 4th goal scored by John Mann that was the most demoralising for South Notts. What looked like a reverse hit pass in the D was left unattended by the South Notts players and ended up in the back of the goal mouth.

By the end of the match Asterdale were victorious with the score line at 1-4 to the visitors. Although everybody played excellently man of the match was awarded to Pete Chesney for his calmness (or was it just indifference?) under pressure.

Next weeks match is a 12pm push back at home against Siky Union Coventry.

Conceding a goal from John is gonna be demoralising for any team!

Nice match report Chris- good to see them back to the high standard we'd come to expect... Lets keep this promotion bandwagon rolling...

Sadly Chris mine was the 3rd goal. It was perfection of a reverse stick flick double nutmeg..... was it not?

Perfect speed to not even hit the backboard.

Well thats how I would remember it

Roll of promotion