Match Report - 10 April 2005

After last week's 1-7 loss at Second Division Princes Park, this performance against Kentish Town from the same division was much better for Headstone Manor. All credit to Kentish Town though as they had only ten players and were comfortable winners who missed a number of good chances. But whereas too many players last week ran out of energy early in the Princes Park match, today they all kept battling right to the end and created some reasonable chances. This was also much better than the performances earlier in the season in the League and County Cups against teams from higher divsions.

With Jordan Wright and Charlie Wingate unavailable, Nathan Lane went in goal for just the second time and gave another good account of himself. Daniel Lynch went back into defence after starting the last few matches up front and Russell Butlin went into midfield for the first time this year to add more strength to the middle of the team. Throughout the game Kentish Town worked the ball better and, yet again, were much quicker to the ball. But Headstone battled hard to deny them time and space. Thomas Green had a very good game and worked hard to chase the ball, close the opposition down and he used the ball well. Rory Carolan also did very well in midfield winning tackles and headers.

Kentish Town took the lead in the 12th minute with a gift of a goal from a corner on the right hand side. The ball was played to the edge of the area and was knocked gently goalwards. But none of the Headstone players in the box made any attempt to challenge for it and the player on the line let it go under his foot into the goal.

At the other end Kushal Kotecha had a couple of chances on goal and Thomas and Daniel also had good shots. On several occasions Headstone worked the ball down the left through Josh Street, Thomas, Rory and Kushal but Kentish Town defended well to deny them clear shots. Jamie Brown had a couple of opportunities to work the ball down the right hand side as well. Kentish Town created other chances that went close but Nathan made several good saves to deny them and Daniel, Joe Jordan, Niall Corcoran and Josh Street got some good tackles in as well. But on 22 minutes they went 2-0 up breaking through the centre of the defence and finishing well.

In the second half Brett Swinton-Bland came on for Kushal who had hurt his foot. Brett played on the left, Russell went back in defence and Daniel joined Tom Wrigley up front. Brett's pace got him into some good positions and Daniel did well in attack. Later, Jordan Coleman and Federico Jaramillo came on for Tom and Jamie. Jordan, Daniel and Rory linked up well for a good move down the right that ended with a shot by Daniel. Brett also had a shot on goal from the left.

Kentish Town made it 3-0 in the 42nd minute with another tame goal. One of Town's midfield players slipped the ball past Niall and then three defenders stood off him as he ran into the box and tucked it past Nathan. Although two of their goals were very soft they created a number of very good chances including a shot that hit the top of the bar and several close shots that went just wide. But Headstone kept trying to push forward and another move down the right involving Jordan, Daniel and Brett ended in Kentish Town putting the ball in their own net.

Kentish Town deservedly won the match 3-1 but Headstone could come off proud of the effort they put in. Thomas was man of the match for a very good game at the heart of midfield.