Post by redway on May 4, 2010 7:13:53 GMT
Match Report: 2nd May 2010:
Sundon Park Rangers 2 v 3 NPTFC Lions
Half – Time: 2 - 0
Scorers: Matt Cullis, Brandon Banda and Alex Collard
Well after the disappointment of the County Cup semi final loss I suppose actually getting to the final is at least good news. However if there was ever an example (and a bad one) of after the Lord Mayors show then this was it.
Two goals down after the first half even the most die hard of Lions supporters were wondering what had gone on and more importantly could they turn it around? A powerhouse 2nd half showed all that was good about the Lions this season and was a stark contrast to the 1st period.
As mentioned above the first half was very poor and the tone was set in the opening 5 minutes. I don’t think we made one decent pass, showed any off the ball movement, tried flicks, tricks and well the throw ins were embarrassing. There were probably a couple of exceptions in particular John H again, but the rest were woeful.
We went a goal behind when we failed to be positive against another Sundon long throw – an effective weapon on the day, the home player managing to cross for a Sundon leg to send the ball past Dan. Ten minutes later we were two down when a silly free kick was conceded and the well-struck shot crept in under Dan’s bar.
We should have scored when Mitch got round the back and crossed but Kevin’s lunge was blocked on the line and then minutes later Liam had an opportunity the very good Sundon keeper blocked. Alex in the meantime had just headed over at one end from a free kick before clearing off our line to make amends for his bizarre cross field ball.....not forgotten after 48hrs as he had hoped!
I don’t want to sound as if our performance was so poor that was the reason Sundon were in front as they created a lot of this pressure through some disciplined and incisive play. We weren’t helped by too many players being on the beach.
The half time “chat!!” was 1 minute – and no surprises that Michael wasn’t a happy bunny.
We had shuffled the pack throughout the first half so it wasn’t as if the second half explosion was begun with fresh legs – more some focused minds. From the off we were a different team and the whole pace and intent was clear to be seen. The defence got to the ball first, so did our midfield and we started getting behind our opponents. Not 3 minutes gone and we had a goal back.
A good run round the left back saw Brandon cut the ball back for Matt to net from the penalty spot. We were now on the roll and we had other good chances before a move down our right saw Crox put Liam in behind the left back. Before he could cross his legs had disappeared and it was a penalty. Brandon stepped up and his shots is saved...who else but John H got there first but just as he was about to pull the trigger Brandon nipped in and hammered the ball home.....to his relief.
We were now really in control and we had shots and got round the Sundon defence but didn’t get that vital third goal. We had a series of corners and free kick but each time we over hit or fell short. That was until a corner from the right was hung up by Brandon and Alex made amends for earlier with a firm header into the top corner. Problem was now that there was 8 minutes left on the clock and would we sit back.
As it happened we didn’t with the exception of one long throw we dealt well with a reinforced Sundon attack. At the other end Kevin, Westy and Liam kept the pressure on and we ran out relieved winners.
Our reward is a final on the Saturday 22nd May KO at 6:30pm at Kenilworth Road against AFC Dunstable so it will be a good game.
I don’t think anyone needs reminding that a repeat of today’s first half isn’t going to win you anything. However in the meantime we have two league games, which I know we will be up for. The final game this Sunday at Home is against Dunstable so a good day to put down a marker for the final for both sides.
Next game v Leighton Town – Vandyke School Leighton Buzzard. KO 6:30pm
Squad: Dan Shaw, Luke Parker, Matty Cullis, Liam Scott, Jack Westbrook, Kevin Feldman, Mitch Tofts, Brandon Banda, Jack Allen, Johnny Harman, Eben Darko, Ross Wheeler, Jack Croxford, Dan Booth, and Alex Collard
Sundon Park Rangers 2 v 3 NPTFC Lions
Half – Time: 2 - 0
Scorers: Matt Cullis, Brandon Banda and Alex Collard
Well after the disappointment of the County Cup semi final loss I suppose actually getting to the final is at least good news. However if there was ever an example (and a bad one) of after the Lord Mayors show then this was it.
Two goals down after the first half even the most die hard of Lions supporters were wondering what had gone on and more importantly could they turn it around? A powerhouse 2nd half showed all that was good about the Lions this season and was a stark contrast to the 1st period.
As mentioned above the first half was very poor and the tone was set in the opening 5 minutes. I don’t think we made one decent pass, showed any off the ball movement, tried flicks, tricks and well the throw ins were embarrassing. There were probably a couple of exceptions in particular John H again, but the rest were woeful.
We went a goal behind when we failed to be positive against another Sundon long throw – an effective weapon on the day, the home player managing to cross for a Sundon leg to send the ball past Dan. Ten minutes later we were two down when a silly free kick was conceded and the well-struck shot crept in under Dan’s bar.
We should have scored when Mitch got round the back and crossed but Kevin’s lunge was blocked on the line and then minutes later Liam had an opportunity the very good Sundon keeper blocked. Alex in the meantime had just headed over at one end from a free kick before clearing off our line to make amends for his bizarre cross field ball.....not forgotten after 48hrs as he had hoped!
I don’t want to sound as if our performance was so poor that was the reason Sundon were in front as they created a lot of this pressure through some disciplined and incisive play. We weren’t helped by too many players being on the beach.
The half time “chat!!” was 1 minute – and no surprises that Michael wasn’t a happy bunny.
We had shuffled the pack throughout the first half so it wasn’t as if the second half explosion was begun with fresh legs – more some focused minds. From the off we were a different team and the whole pace and intent was clear to be seen. The defence got to the ball first, so did our midfield and we started getting behind our opponents. Not 3 minutes gone and we had a goal back.
A good run round the left back saw Brandon cut the ball back for Matt to net from the penalty spot. We were now on the roll and we had other good chances before a move down our right saw Crox put Liam in behind the left back. Before he could cross his legs had disappeared and it was a penalty. Brandon stepped up and his shots is saved...who else but John H got there first but just as he was about to pull the trigger Brandon nipped in and hammered the ball home.....to his relief.
We were now really in control and we had shots and got round the Sundon defence but didn’t get that vital third goal. We had a series of corners and free kick but each time we over hit or fell short. That was until a corner from the right was hung up by Brandon and Alex made amends for earlier with a firm header into the top corner. Problem was now that there was 8 minutes left on the clock and would we sit back.
As it happened we didn’t with the exception of one long throw we dealt well with a reinforced Sundon attack. At the other end Kevin, Westy and Liam kept the pressure on and we ran out relieved winners.
Our reward is a final on the Saturday 22nd May KO at 6:30pm at Kenilworth Road against AFC Dunstable so it will be a good game.
I don’t think anyone needs reminding that a repeat of today’s first half isn’t going to win you anything. However in the meantime we have two league games, which I know we will be up for. The final game this Sunday at Home is against Dunstable so a good day to put down a marker for the final for both sides.
Next game v Leighton Town – Vandyke School Leighton Buzzard. KO 6:30pm
Squad: Dan Shaw, Luke Parker, Matty Cullis, Liam Scott, Jack Westbrook, Kevin Feldman, Mitch Tofts, Brandon Banda, Jack Allen, Johnny Harman, Eben Darko, Ross Wheeler, Jack Croxford, Dan Booth, and Alex Collard