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Match Report - 3 April 2005
Definitley not one for the purists. A stop start game with too many offsides and free kicks which broke up any flow to the game. Acton deserved the win after totally dominating the first half, playing the more controlled football and creating more chances. But Headstone improved as the game went on despite being hit by head injuries to two significant players, centre back Russell Butlin and goalkeeper Luke McNamara, which forced both of them off. Acton really pinned Headstone back at the start of the match. Their team was much improved over the one that Headstone played earlier in the season - bigger, stronger and much quicker to the ball. Headstone struggled to get the ball away from their box and during the opening ten minutes rarely got into the Acton half of the field. But despite creating several good chances they couldn't break through. The Headstone defence, Joe Jordan at right back, Russell and Nicholas Silva in the centre and Josh Street on the left worked hard to clear and block the chances while behind them Luke also made several saves. A number of chances were hit just wide and one came back off the post. Headstone's defence didn't help themselves by giving away corners cheaply or throw ins near the goal when they had time to clear further away to safety and with the wind in his face Luke struggled to get his clearances far enough upfield. But it was Headstone who took the lead against the run of play with their first decent attack in the 20th minute. Nicholas took a free kick following an offside decision and launched the ball over the top of the Acton defence. Rory Briton raced onto it and finished in style with a powerful shot over the Acton keeper. It was Rory's second goal in just his second game. Later on Federico Jaramillo, playing on the left wing, had a shot but there was little else to threaten the Acton goal. Thomas Green and Tom Wrigley worked hard in central midfield but were too often overrun by the Acton midfield. As the interval approached Russell challenged for a boucing ball on the half way line and was caught in the head by the studs of a high Acton boot. Russell was dazed by the blow and came off the field. Daniel Lynch switched back into defence and Brett Swinton-Bland came on up front. But Acton dealt Headstone a further blow equalising in injury time. At the start of the second half Daniel went back up front, Brett switched to his normal postion on the left wing, Federico moved to right back and Joe Jordan took Russell's place at centre back. Acton sealed the win with two goals in a two minute spell early in the half. Rory Carolan then came on for Jordan Coleman to play in the centre of midfield and Tom played on the right. As the half went on Headstone had more of the play and threatened Acton on several occasions. But both sides got caught offside too easily and there were a huge number of throw ins as attacks were quelled by clearances into touch. Brett was Headstone's most dangerous player racing onto several through balls. One was well saved by the keeper and Brett went very close with another. Rory Briton also had a shot on goal later on. Then Acton looked likely to score with a through ball and speedy run that Nicholas couldn't reach. Luke bravely dived at the feet of the striker and both players ended in a heap and needed treatment. Luke took a kick in his head and, like Russell earlier, couldn't continue. Daniel went in goal, his third position of the match, Tom went up front and Jordan came back on the right wing. Acton looked forward to taking advantage of the change but it was Headstone who looked the more likely to score and Daniel wasn't tested.
After nearly eight minutes of injury time Acton were unable to add to the lead and held firm at the back to seal the |
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