Match Report - 7 November 2004

The B team met Ealing for the second week running and though they showed a much improved performance for the first 20 minutes, they couldn't sustain it. Ealing were well worth the win but the score flattered them a little.

It was a frantic start to the match with Headstone pushing forward and both teams battling strongly in midfield. It was entertaining for the spectators and Headstone produced the passing that was so sorely lacking last week. They also showed much more commitment and consequently had much more of the ball. Thomas Green and Joe Jordan were involved in a lot of the action and Jamie Brown on the right wing made good use of the ball trying to link up with Tom Wrigley and Kushal Kotecha up front. Francis Nkhoma playing on the left was up against a very strong left back and had a hard job getting past him.

However, Headstone couldn't convert possession into chances. In the first half they managed only one shot and were too often outnumbered and outbattled in the penalty area. The shot, from Kushal, was well worked on the left, Kushal lifted the ball high and though it beat the keeper it was just wide.

Ealing were much more dangerous going forward and won several corners. They supported each other better and pressured Headstone particularly from Headstone's goal kicks. Ealing broke the deadlock after 20 minutes but Headstone were well in it approaching half time. Jordan Wright kept Ealing at bay with a fine save when he was left one on one as they broke through. Jordan repeated this twice more in the second half. But right on half time Ealing pounced on a short goal kick and scored.

Brett Swinton-Bland came on at the start of the second half on the left and made a big difference. Brett got himself involved early on and made some speedy runs down the left wing. He also worked hard to defend and support Josh. Brett had a couple of shots on goal one of which went very close. Nathan Lane came on ten minutes into the half for Kushal and had one good opportunity to get a goal.

But at the other end Ealing were too strong and carved through the Headstone defence time and again. After 40 minutes the score was still 0-2, ten minutes later it was 0-6. One of the goals was from a free kick 20 yards and was headed home superbly from the well placed kick. They also scored from a penalty though Jordan made a valiant effort to keep it out getting both hands to the ball but it was too strong for him to stop it.

Daniel Lynch won the manager's man of the match award for a determined performance in central defence. He worked hard to clear his lines and made some very effective tackles. Josh Street was the player's choice and he also gave everything to the cause working very hard at left back.