Match Report - 3 April 2004

A hard fought, tense and exciting match which Headstone won by the narrowest of margins. Apoel came into the game after a superbly successful season that has seen them convincingly win Division 6 in Phase 1, Division 5 in Phase 2 and remain unbeaten throughout. So for Headstone to beat them in the final week of the season was a tremendous achievement for the players who battled themselves into the ground to keep Apoel at bay.

Headstone came into the match without Conor and Warren so the pressure was on the midfield players, Jordan Coleman, Thomas and Brett, to perform well. Ciaran returned to defence alongside Russell and Rory started up front. Headstone started much the quicker of the two teams and in the opening minutes they pinned Apoel back and won several corners. Apoel were playing up hill and, early on, found it hard to get the ball out of their half. But Headstone found it hard to turn the pressure into clear cut chances. Rory and Thomas both had shots but they went wide.

Headstone's passing was more effective than it was last week against Ruislip Town, and they made good use of Brett's pace to break down the left wing. From such a break Headstone took the lead in the 11th minute. Brett raced into the area and crossed the ball to Jordan Coleman whose shot was parried by the keeper but he couldn't stop it hitting the post and crossing the line.

Kushal came on for Rory up front and Daniel replaced Ciaran in defence midway through the half. Headstone continued to pass the ball well and push forward but Apoel were much more of a threat as the half continued and created several good scoring chances. They had a some good shots which went just wide but they also forced Jordan Wright to make several good saves.

At the start of the second half Rory replaced Jordan Coleman in midfield and Ciaran went up front in place of Kushal. Apoel started the half with two players up front and with the slope in their favour Headstone faced a strong threat. Daniel and Russell were particularly strong and determined and defended well. Russell did a good job as captain of the team to keep them organised and focussed. Jordan Wright made an outstanding save from a strong high shot to push the ball over the bar and later he raced out of goal to clear an Apoel attack.

To counter Apoel's attacking threat, Kushal returned up front, Ciaran went into defence alongside Daniel and Russell and Brett came off. Jordan Coleman returned in place of Rory. Headstone did create some good attacking breaks from neat passing between Jordan, Thomas and Kushal that might have sealed the win. Both chances fell to Thomas. Kushal found him unmarked in the area with an excellent pass but Thomas's shot went agonisingly close.

Apoel attacked again but couldn't find a way through and Headstone held on for the victory. Sadly, the game finished on a sour note as Apoel disputed a decison by the referee to award a goal kick after Apoel's final attack. But all the Headstone players can feel proud of bouncing back from a hard defeat last week to produce such a determined performance that sealed the win. They were jointly awarded man of the match as they all played so well.