Match Report - 26 October 2003

Headstone Manor got a well deserved first win of the season away to a strong Ruislip Rangers B team. Rangers had previously won 2 and lost 1 of their matches but Headstone more than matched them all over the pitch and never looked like losing.

Ciaran and Daniel were stronger than ever in defence working well together to deny Ruislip chances. They also used the ball very well finding the midfield players with good passes time and time again. Conor, Jordan and Thomas started in midfield and played very well. Thomas gave everything throughout the game, he was strong in the tackle and worked hard to build chances for Russell, Brett and Conor. Jordan and Conor passed the ball well and got back to support the defence. Russell started up front and used his strength well to hold the ball and feed the midfield players. Brett was very impressive both in midfield and up front with some great runs and good shots.

Most of the play in the first half was in midfield with very few clear chances. Both teams had several corners but neither goal was threatened. Headstone's first good chance was created by Thomas who, with his back to goal, curled a high shot goalwards but it went just wide. Brett came on for Jordan in midfield and within a couple of minutes raced into the area and hit an excellent shot that the keeper saved.

Jordan came on for Conor at the start of the second half and Headstone got an excellent start with a goal on 27 minutes. Brett picked up the ball in the Ruislip half, outpaced two defenders and shot powerfully past the keeper. Headstone continued to press and Russell, Thomas and Conor also had shots on goal that went close. Towards the end of the match Ruislip put Headstone under pressure and they found it hard to clear their lines.

But four minutes from time Headstone sealed the result with a great team goal. From a long clearance out of defence the ball was passed from Russell to Jordan to Brett who produced another unstoppable shot. Ruislip never gave up and two minutes later got back into it with a superbly made and finished goal. But Headstone held on to record an excellent win. All the players were brilliant but Thomas was man of the match for yet another great performance in midfield.