Headstone Manor YFC

Match Report - 8th November 2009

On paper this should have been a home win. Princes Park are bottom of Division 4 and the Bs third in Division 3. But football, as any pools punter knows, is rarely so straightforward or predictable. Princes Park gave a decent impression of a Division 3 team and the Bs were a shadow of the team that won so convincingly a week earlier.

This was no fluke, the visitors did more than enough to merit their win, took their chances well and had two good opportunities to have added to their tally. At the other end the Bs produced fewer chances than in any of their games this season and the Princes Park keeper was seriously threatened only once.

The Bs started with Russ partnering Jay at centre back. In the second half he switched to play up front. The Bs started slowly last week but got going in the last 10 minutes of the half. This week the first half display was very disappointing as they never managed to get going. Play kept breaking down with passes going astray and players repeatedly losing the ball in possession. As a result CJ and Sid were left chasing shadows. CJ worked hard to link with the midfield but the midfield struggled to get a hold on the game.

Princes Park’s pressure on the ball made it hard for the Bs but they also created little mustering just two chances neither of which tested Stephen. The Bs only chances fell to CJ, Thomas and Shomari but none were on target. Princes Park opened the scoring on 16 minutes when the Bs failed to react to a headed clearance by Russ. Princes Park picked up the header and had time to look up and play a diagonal pass behind Joe picking out a runner who brought the ball down and scored with a low shot into the far corner.

At the break the Bs made three changes. Russ went up front to partner CJ. Sid came off. Kyle came on at right back and Joe switched to centre back. Josh came on at left back in place of Nick. Shomari came off, George switched to the left and Francis partnered Thomas in the centre. Like last week there was an improvement in the second half but this time it wasn’t enough. There were short spells where the Bs produced some impressive moves and built possession around the pitch. However, there was precious little threat from this as the final ball was too often overplayed.

Again the Princes Park defence looked comfortable and only Thomas, Nick and Russ went close. On 55 minutes Princes Park gained breathing space with a well taken second goal. Built down the right wing they sent over a great cross from the bye line and buried it impressively from close range.

There was still plenty of time for the Bs to get back and they have shown often enough their character to overturn deficits. But today they seemed too flat and there was virtually no communication, direction or encouragement on the pitch. As the half progressed the Bs made changes. Sid returned on the right in place of Conor, later he went back up front and CJ made way. Nick returned on the left and George switched to the right. Towards the end Shomari came back on and George made way. It was all to no avail.

One goal would have been enough to get the Bs back on track. They had chances to get it. Three free kicks around the box, but only one, from Nick, went close. They also had a couple of corners which also gave opportunities but couldn’t take advantage.

At the end it was an off day for the Bs and Princes Park deserved their win. The Bs have shown enough this season to bounce back and produce the football they are capable of. It wasn’t easy to pick a man of the match as there were few players who stood out. Thomas took the award as he produced one of the more effective performances. He rarely gave away possession and was always on hand to close down and win the ball back.