Match Report - 12th December 2004

Another defeat for Headstone Manor, but after losing 1-12 to Pitshanger in September, this was a much better display by Headstone. Pitshanger played some excellent football and were well worth their win though the score flattered them slightly.

Pitshanger started much the better team and with their fluent passing game Headstone struggled to get any possession in the early stages. All the play took place in the Headstone half, Pitshanger were faster to the ball and strong in the tackle to force Headstone back. In the 9th minute they took the lead springing through the Headstone defence and as Jordan Wright came off his line their forward tucked the ball underneath him.

But that goal spurred Headstone into playing themselves. As soon as they started passing the ball and pressing Pitshanger's defence they realised that they could create opportunties and that confidence inspired them to push forward and battle more strongly for possession. Josh Street had a very good game at left back, solid, strong, determined and constantly looking to get the ball forward up the left wing. He started combining very well with Brett Swinton-Bland who attacked Pitshanger down the wing.

Brett had a good opportunity when Thomas Green's fine pass over the defence put him through. Brett raced in on goal but his shot went over the bar. A little later Joe Jordan had a good shot that went just wide. But it was Jamie Brown who got Headstone back into the match with his first ever goal for the team. Jamie picked up the ball on the right side of the area and shot goalwards. It wasn't a hard shot but it deceived the keeper and crept in at his near post. Later Rory Carolan also had a shot but he couldn't find the power to beat the keeper. Headstone were well in the match going in 1-1 at half time.

The second half though was much harder for them as Pitshanger stepped up their play and Headstone struggled again to pass the ball fluently. Headstone still battled hard but it wasn't enough to put the pressure back on Pitshanger and they failed to get any shots after the break. Pitshanger had most of the play and more of the corners which Headstone struggled to clear quickly enough. But for all their possession they created few chances. The difference was that they scored from most of the shots they had.

Five minutes after the break Pitshanger took a 2-1 lead as they broke through the Headstone defence and slotted the ball home. Another break in the 43rd minute saw them seal the win with another shot that they squeezed past Jordan Wright. The fourth goal was disappointing for Headstone to concede as it came from a Headstone corner. Pitshanger collected the ball with ease, swiftly broke through the defence and scored with a shot aimed at the centre of the goal.

The size of the scoreline didn't do justice to the effort Headstone put in and, but for Jordan Wright, it could have been even worse right at the end. Josh Street was judged to have fouled one of Pitshanger's strikers as they challenged for the ball in the box. The referee instantly gave a penalty but Jordan dived low to his right to save the kick and the game ended 1-4 to Pitshanger.

Josh was the manager's man of the match for his very good performance in defence and Jordan Wright took the player's award.