Match Report - 16th January 2005

First the good news. Headstone have now scored in their last four matches and led at half time in the last two. They held their own for half the match against a very good Kensington Dragons team who had won eight of their nine matches this season. But in the end Kensington were too strong and clinical in their passing, movement and finishing and punished Headstone with six second half goals. Headstone's problems were in being second to too many balls, struggling to clear the ball out of defence effectively, not able to pass the ball well enough to keep possession and not testing the Kensington defence enough.

Headstone brought Joe Cowan into the defence as Niall Corcoran was ill. But after a few minutes Joe twisted his knee and had to come off which meant a re-organisation for the team. Thomas Green switched to right back and, though he played well, he was sorely missed in midfield. Jordan Coleman moved to the centre of midfield and Federico Jaramillo came on to play on the right wing. Early on Kensington attacked strongly and took the lead after just five minutes with a swift break and shot from the left.

But after that, though Kensington had more of the play and moved the ball well, Headstone worked hard at the back to keep them at bay. Charlie Wingate made some very good saves to keep the score at 0-1. Then, on fifteen minutes , Headstone attacked and lost the ball and a Kensington defender played the ball back to the keeper who picked it up. The referee awarded an indirect free kick. The same occured in the first game against the sides but this time Headstone took full advantage. Jordan Coleman laid the ball off to Thomas Green who cracked a powerful shot high into the net. It was the type of shot we have been looking for all season and it gave the keeper no chance. The whole team need to take confidence and belief from this as they all have the ability to do this and need to show it on match days.

Six minutes later and the game got even better for Headstone. Rory Carolan collected the ball in the Headstone half and played an excellent pass through the defence for Brett Swinton-Bland to run on to. Brett made a superb run for goal and as he raced into the area was brought down by a clumsy challenge by a Kensington defender. Jordan Coleman took the penalty and slotted it low to the keeper's left into the corner. Headstone continued to battle hard and won four corners but, apart from the goals, only Daniel Lynch managed a shot on goal in the first half.

Headstone's problem in previous matches has been to concede goals early in the second half. The aim was to hold the lead for as long as possible to give them a chance to build on it. But, yet again, within a minute of the restart Kensington breached the defence and drew level. Worse followed as a minute later they did it again to take a 3-2 lead. Headstone's heads didn't drop but as they were finding shots so hard to come by it was expecting a lot to come back again. Seven minutes later Kensington scored two more and the points were won. One of the goals was particularly disappointing as a Kensington striker walked through three defenders before sliding it home. The defence and midfield players must be much more positive and determined to face up to the ball, win it and clear it as, too often, the opposition have too much time to create chances.

At the back Charlie made a couple of brave saves diving at the striker's feet and got hurt in the process. One of the saves was from a Kensington penalty awarded after Russell Butlin, chasing and tackling back, slipped and handled the ball. The penalty was hit low and straight, Charlie blocked the ball well and as he dived to collect it got a kick on his stomach. Later he got a kick on his back as he dived to prevent a goal. Both Russell and Daniel made several very good clearances and tackles.

Jamie Brown came on for Rory and played on the right. Francis Nkhoma went up front with Tom Wrigley and Federico moved to the centre. Towards the end Headstone created a few chances to break through. Federico and Tom had chances to run on goal and Francis had a shot but they couldn't test the keeper. At the other end Kensington added two more to seal a 7-2 win.

Daniel Lynch was the manager's man of the match for a much more assured and positive performance in the centre of defence. The players' voted for Charlie for the second week running for his brave play and some outstanding saves.