Match Report - 20th February 2005

What a performance! OK so we lost, but every one of the Headstone players left the field with pride at what they had put into the match. They were unlucky not to get a draw out of the game having carved out many good opportunities down the left in the second half and created enough to win it. But Kodak are a good, strong side who used the ball effectively, worked well for each other and took their chances well. They had more than enough chances in the first half to finish the match but Nathan Lane in goal made several miraculous saves to keep Headstone in the match.

Headstone came into the match with seven players unavailable including both goalkeepers. Nathan went in goal having not played there at all throughout this season or last season. Yet he produced one of the best displays we've seen in goal this season. Joe Jordan who played at right back for the first time two weeks ago against Princes Park played in central defence for the first time and looked assured throughout the match. Francis Nkhoma and Jordan Coleman played up front together for the first time.

In the first half the wind was with Kodak and they pushed forward repeatedly. Thomas Green and Rory Carolan in midfield worked hard but with Brett Swinton-Bland and Federico Jaramillo very wide, Thomas and Rory were constantly outnumbered and overpowered. So the defence found themselves with Kodak running at them and through them again and again. In the 7th minute they played a ball behind the defence, raced through and slid it past Nathan.

Federico came very close to getting an equaliser with a shot from the right that hit the post. There were more good chances in this match for both teams than in any of our games this season. Thomas, Rory, Jordan and Brett all had chances but Kodak's keeper was very good and was equal to all of them. Jordan's chance was probably the best. Put clean through the keeper raced off his line and Jordan snatched at his shot and steered it wide. At the other end Kodak kept Nathan very busy and he also had to race off his line to clear the danger. On one occasion he completely missed his kick but the ball slowed down allowing him to race back and collect it before it crossed the line. His drop kicks were very long but Kodak were much quicker to the ball so Headstone failed to take advantage.

Although the defence was under pressure they worked really well together. Russell was outstanding, but Joe, Josh Street and Niall Corcoran also had great games. Nathan also made several good saves when it looked like Kodak would score.

After the break Headstone took advantage of the wind and it was Kodak on the back foot. Most of Headstone's attacks came down the left where Brett was a constant threat. Thomas and Rory worked much better together winning the ball to create chances. Thomas had probably his best display of the season and used the ball really well. Josh also supported Brett much more to keep the pressure on. Headstone had a very timely equaliser two minutes after the break. Thomas started it off winning the ball in midfield, feeding it to Josh who played the ball through to Brett who raced through and tucked it into the net.

There then followed a period of constant Headstone pressure and chances set up by Brett. Rory, Francis, Jordan and Brett all came close. Brett sent over some excellent crosses but there was no-one on hand to head it home. Rory was battling away supporting the attack as Headstone pressed forward. After 40 minutes Jamie Brown replaced Federico on the right.

Kodak grabbed the points in the space of two minutes punishing Headstone for losing their concentration. On 44 minutes from a Kodak corner Headstone cleared the ball but only to Kodak's powerful midfielder who picked it up midway into the half. But Headstone stood off him and he lofted it high over the defence and over Nathan who was stranded off his line. Then Headstone's defence got caught too far forward, Kodak stayed onside and had three players clear through on goal and they made it 1-3.

But Headstone continued to press and create chances. Kodak's goalkeeper made several good saves and Headstone weren't quick enough to follow up. Five minutes from time Headstone got one back and, yet again, it came from an attack built down the left involving Brett. Brett raced into the box and shot, the keeper saved it but the ball fell to Jordan who shot home. Like last week, the last few minutes were exciting as Headstone pressed for an equaliser but Kodak held firm and took the points.

Russell was man of the match and he gets better with every game. He takes charge of the defence and battles for everything. But there were good performances all round in particular from Nathan and Thomas. The league season has now finished and Headstone ended up second from bottom so, hopefully, next year the only way is up. Next week the Supplementary Cup starts where we are against two teams from the bottom of Divsion 2, Kentish Town and Princes Park B.