Match Report - 13 February 2005

After a convincing win last week over Princes Park, Headstone Manor were too over confident in the first half and paid for it in the end. The first half was extremely scrappy but the game came to life after the break with Headstone playing much better but Princes grabbing the vital goals. Neither team was helped by the conditions. There was a strong swirling wind which made it bitterly cold and the pitch was waterlogged down one entire side.

The wind was with Headstone in the first half and it helped them keep the play in Princes Park's half for much of the time. Niall Corcoran, Russell Butlin, Daniel Lynch and Josh Street, in defence, formed a solid backline and Princes Park rarely got through them. So much so that Jordan Wright, in goal, had virtually nothing to do. But Headstone did nothing with their possession as they failed to get their passing going and so struggled to test the Princes Park defence. It was kick and hope football and the ball largely flew from one block of defenders to the other.

On the right wing Federico Jaramillo made a couple of good breaks early in the game getting in behind the Princes Park defenders and with one of these his near post shot was saved by the keeper. Tom Wrigley also broke through on the right and crossed to Brett Swinton-Bland who shot just wide but he had strayed offside.

In the second half Headstone started to try to keep the ball on the ground and pass it around. The football from both teams improved and both keepers were busier. Jordan Wright made a fine diving save early on after Princes Park burst through and looked likely to score. Shortly after they did, after Headstone failed to clear the ball from a corner. As has happened too often this season, when the ball has dropped loose in the area the defenders and midfield players get in each others way and fail to get the ball to safety. In this instance, as the ball bobbled loose Princes Park's striker shot, Jordan saved but couldn't hold it. Two of Princes Park's players were much the quicker to react and between them calmy knocked the ball over the line.

Headstone continued to push forward, Thomas Green and Rory Carolan worked very hard in midfield but they struggled to get Brett going with his fast runs down the left. Niall got stronger and stronger as the game progressed and Josh was a real tower of strength at left back. He produced a lovely curling free kick from deep on the left but Headstone couldn't make anything of it. Thomas also sent in a number of great corners but Princes always managed to clear before Headstone could pounce. When Headstone did get through, Princes Park's keeper thwarted them. Then on 45 minutes, from a Headstone corner, Princes took the ball broke clear of the Headstone defence and scored with a shot from the left side of the area.

It was a blow for Headstone but they reacted by surging forward and with eight minutes to go got one back. Tom raced through on goal, his shot was deflected by the keeper straight at Rory who steered it home. Shortly after Thomas hit a cracking curling shot that the keeper pushed round his post and then Brett hit the side netting. Headstone had a succession of corners and what looked like a good penalty claim when Brett was upended in the area. Moments later Rory was also knocked over in the box but the referee waived play on. Then Tom, Francis and Brett found themselves three against two in the Princes Park half. Tom played the ball to Brett but he had run through too quickly and was offside by the time Tom passed. The game now was now quite exciting as Princes looked to hold on for their first win of the season and Headstone pushed forward for the equaliser.

As so often happens in these situations it was Princes who got the decisive goal. In the last minute Headstone's defence hesitated and Princes found themselves with two players clean through with only Jordan to beat and they scored with ease. They might have even got another moments later but this time Jordan saved well.

If Headstone had started the game as they finished it they might have been in a much stronger position by half time. But Headstone need to improve their finishing and shot stopping. With only five shots on target Princes scored three goals while at the other end Headstone weren't clinical enough to outwit the Princes Park keeper. Josh and Thomas were joint men of the match.