Match Report - 18 January 2004

Another entertaining match with a dramatic fightback by Headstone Manor who deserved at least a draw for their endeavour. Unfortunately for the second week running they came away empty handed but there were lots of positives to take from this game. These included the team's spirit and enthusiasm, their hardwork on a very boggy pitch, their passing game which was excellent on such a difficult surface and their determination to keep attacking right up to the end.

There were also many great individual performances with special mention for Russell who switched to defence in the second half and produced an outstanding display, Conor who worked really well in midfield and deserved a goal and Kushal who switched to attack in the second half, scored two goals and, but for the mud, would have had a hatrick.

Kushal and Daniel started in defence for the first half. Warren, Jordan Coleman and Conor in midfield and Rory up front worked the ball well together. Headstone had most of the possession in the first half. With the pitch very boggy down the middle it was difficult to pass the ball but they worked it well between them. But they struggled to create clear cut chances. Jordan Wright had little to do but Headstone were undone by Technicolor's clinical finishing when they made two good chances.

The first came in the 10th minute when their striker collected the ball unmarked in the area and tucked it in the corner. The second came ten minutes later when Headstone failed to get the ball away and again Technicolor shot home. Midway through the half Russell came on up front for Rory and Thomas for Warren. Conor had a couple of chances in the box and Russell had a powerful shot that just missed the far post but, for all their possession and passing, Headstone got bogged down in the area.

In the second half Kushal and Russell swapped positions, Warren and Rory went into midfield in place of Jordan and Conor. Two minutes into the half Headstone were stung by a third goal from Technicolor. From an attack down the right hand side they produced a sharp shot into the corner which Jordan Wright couldn't reach. At 0-3 down it looked all over but Headstone never gave up and Kushal's presence up front started causing Technicolor problems. Conor came on for Rory and the three midfield players combined well with Kushal to create a series of good chances.

In the 29th minute Conor produced an excellent shot which got stuck in the mud but Kushal was on hand to pop it home. Jordan Coleman came on again for Thomas and he and Warren were battling hard and passing well in midfield while Conor and Kushal were having the chances on goal. Kushal came desparately close when his shot across the goal hit the far post and stayed embedded in the mud. On a fine pitch it would have rebounded into the net. But Kushal wasn't to be denied and five minutes from time he scored again with another good shot.

At the back Jordan Wright had a couple of shots to save but in front of him Daniel was battling away while Russell played a great covering role behind and nothing was getting past him. He was extremely solid and very good at clearing the ball away. Headstone had a number of corners towards the end and came close but in the end couldn't find the breakthrough.

Conor and Russell were joint men of the match. But all of the players did well again and were unfortunate to come away with no points.