Match Report - 18th March 2007

Headstone hadn’t played for six weeks and it really showed. They never got to grips with the conditions or the game and forgot the basics. Princes Park handled the conditions well, showed much better control and never looked threatened at the back. But despite this, they rarely tested Headstone keeper Daniel Lynch and struggled to turn possession and attacking opportunities into clear cut chances.

It was a bright sunny morning but a strong wind that never relented and a dry, rutted pitch made it very difficult to control the ball. Passing on the ground was tricky as the surface caused the ball to bobble and the wind put the defenders at one end under extra pressure.

Too many of Headstone’s players looked rusty after the long break. Russell Butlin was a major exception. He stood out with a commanding display winning tackles, headers and fifty fifty balls and tried his best to lift and motivate the team. Alongside him Joe Jordan put in a solid performance, battling hard against the Princes Park strikers. Up front Brett Swinton-Bland worked really hard but found himself having to do too much on his own.

Up front and in midfield Headstone failed to play as a team. The midfield of Jordan Coleman, Thomas Green, Francis Nkhoma and Kyle Giles-Brown battled away individually but never combined and as a result couldn’t get the better of their opponents. They also failed to get forward to support Brett and Conor McBreen up front and so the strikers were always outnumbered.

The pattern of the game was established from the start with Princes Park, who had the wind behind them, pinning Headstone back and the Headstone defenders working hard to get the ball away to safety only for it to come straight back again. Princes Park might have scored in the opening minutes as a couple of long high balls down the middle were misjudged by Daniel. He left them to the defenders who struggled to clear and Princes Park won a couple of early corners. After that Daniel soon got into his stride and dealt comfortably with the attacks. It was fortunate for Headstone that Princes Park didn’t press Headstone’s defence as much as they would have wanted.

At the other end Princes Park’s keeper was never threatened. Brett was Headstone’s liveliest attacker and had one shot as did Kyle but neither came close.

Headstone hoped to make use of the strong wind behind them after the break. But Princes Park continued to hold and use the ball better. Too often their job was made easier as they weren’t put under any pressure to win the ball. This allowed them more time at the back and in middle than they allowed Headstone.

The game’s only goal came after 40 minutes with an attack down the centre. Princes Park’s striker got behind the defence but Daniel came out quickly to parry his shot. The ball bounced out to another striker following up who was unmarked and he tucked it away comfortably. Headstone did muster a few more chances this half. Russell had a free kick thirty yards from goal but his shot, though on target, was not as powerful as he had intended. Brett and Thomas also had goal attempts but, again, the keeper wasn’t tested.

Headstone made a couple of changes midway through the half. Nicholas Furquim came on up front for Conor who had struggled to get into the match. Ciaran McDougall replaced Francis who had run out of gas. Kyle switched to the centre. Nicholas provided a bit more of a threat and used his strength and control to create a couple of chances for him and Brett.

At the other end Princes Park had a chance when they won a free kick twenty five yards from goal. But the kick was mis-hit and the wall got it clear. Headstone’s final change was Jordan Wright who came on in the centre of midfield for Kyle. Jordan was involved straight away and was busy winning the ball and trying to get it forward quickly. With time ticking away Headstone tried to get an equaliser. Brett came close with a high cross shot but the keeper saved and Princes Park took the points with a deserved but narrow win.

Russell was deservedly chosen as man of the match. He was very strong at the back and did all he could to lead and inspire the team.