Match Report - 2nd April 2005

A game of two completely different halves. In the first half the two division gap between the teams wasn't apparent at all. Headstone used the ball well, forced Princes Park back for long periods, created plenty of good chances and might have had more than Kushal Kotecha's excellent goal. But after the break Headstone wilted and couldn't live with Princes Park's speedy number 11 who tore through the Headstone defence with ease and set up several goals. Too many Headstone players ran out of stamina too early and left the defence and keeper Charlie Wingate completely exposed. Charlie made a number of very good saves which kept the score down to seven!

On a very sloping pitch Headstone started much the better and Princes Park struggled to get the ball out of their half. There were some good passing moves down the left involving Brett Swinton-Bland, Kushal, Thomas Green and Rory Carolan. On the right Tom Wrigley linked up well with Jordan Coleman to stretch the Princes Park defence. Kushal used his strength to work an early shooting chance and Tom also went close with a shot inside the area. Brett produced some good crosses from the left wing and he also had a shot that tested the keeper. But the Princes Park keeper was very agile and quick to see the shots on goal and it would need a good finish to beat him.

With Headstone pressing forward Princes Park took the lead in the 14th minute with a long ball over the defence that Charlie was too deep to reach and the striker shot past him. But the lead lasted just 4 minutes as Rory played a fine ball through for Kushal to run on to. Kushal held off the defenders and finished with a fine shot.

Headstone had other chances to take the lead but they couldn't find a way past the keeper. Headstone had a lot of difficulty coping with Princes Park's number 11 whose pace had the beating of all the Headstone players. Princes Park scored just before the break to lead 2-1 at the break.

Princes Park had a perfect start to the second half with a goal in less than a minute. Another ball over the top to the number 11 but this time Charlie was quickly off his line and bravely dived in and won the ball. But the ball rebounded off him and bounced out to a Princes Park player 35 yards out. He hit the ball first time high towards the unguarded net and it bounced once before going in. At 1-3 down it would take a big effort from Headstone to get back into the game.

Thomas worked hard in midfield closing players down and using it well and Tom also did well up front. At the back Russell was very strong and Joe Jordan playing for the first time at left back had a good game as did Niall Corcoran on the right. But as the half went on several players visibly tired and were unable to get up and down the pitch to support the defence and attack. Princes Park punished Headstone with three goals in four minutes to cruise home.

Jamie Brown and Federico Jaramillo gave Headstone some fresh legs in place of Kushal and Brett who had run themselves out. Daniel Lynch went up front as Joe switched to centre back and Federico went to left back. Daniel looked more effective up front and late in the game had Headstone's only shots of the half. Jamie nearly had a chance following an attack down the right but the ball ran away from him. Princes Park completed the scoring with a goal on the final whistle.

Tom Wrigley was man of the match for putting in so much work up front and his good use of the ball.