Post by redway on May 10, 2010 19:27:39 GMT
Match Report: 9th May 2010:
NPTFC Lions 2 v 1 AFC Dunstable
Half – Time: 2 - 1
Scorers: Liam Scott 2
A second Liam Scott brace in the space of 4 days saw the Lions finish their league campaign with another win in the League and a record of P16 W14 D2 L0!
I think everyone knew that this game had other significance than just another league game given the Cup Final in 2 weeks and that so many players from both sides are school friends and past teammates. That was why it was great to see one or two of the local AFC players joining us after in the club to watch the conclusion of the Premier League.
We have already done the issuing of plaudits, but thanks to the League Vice Chairman for his time yesterday and kind words, when presenting the League medals.
In truth the game wasn’t anywhere near our best performance of recent weeks in some part due to our opponents work ethic but mainly because we lost sight of the style of football that got us to the top of this league.
I think that our workmanlike performance wasn’t helped by the early goal we scored through Liam. I don’t think the match was more than 5 minutes old when we worked the ball from the right into Westy and his pass to Liam was instant and the latter’s turn and sprint took him clear before the usual clinical finish.
It all seemed a bit too easy a bit too early and so it turned out to be. AFC Dunstable are a good side and with Claudio and Steve Blood having excellent games and pulling the strings in midfield a reaction to that goal was inevitable. For the next 15 minutes we struggled down our left to contain Claudio’s bursts and Brandon spent more time in defensive mode than as an attacking force. So that threat plus Steve Blood and his central midfield partner bossing the midfield areas meant we were under a period of sustained pressure.
We still managed to stay strong and although it was ragged at times we kept AFC away from Dan’s goal. Down our right we did get more joy as Dan and Eben constantly got the latter in behind the Dunstable defence and Liam could have scored from a pullback but his shot lacked venom.
What we did have through all this was a cutting edge with Liam and Westy working the AFC defence throughout. It was however as we pushed forward that we looked our most fragile and after one warning when Nathan shot straight at Dan, the second time around he made no mistake. This drew some improvement in our play and the introduction of Crox and Mitch also made us more combative. What we still lacked was quality until that was until John urged by JT to push forward took a short goal kick, drew the AFC defender and slid Liam in and he made no mistake. Minutes before the break and a crucial time to score.
At the break I didn’t hear the precise details of John and Michael’s message but I think they were disappointed that we had failed to show any of the qualities of recent games. Our defensive line was poor as people switched off; we were too deep in midfield and therefore didn’t have a chance to support attacks, and just not where we have been in recent games.
The 2nd half was better and whilst we were against the wind we did at least play some football getting Luke and Dan and Jack A into the game more. Eben was still the main outlet and he terrorised the AFC Dunstable left back who was probably sick of the sight of him running at him. I doubt the AFC linesman was that happy having to keep up with them either. I must confess to wincing once or twice when Nathan took off down my wing...shall we say I may have come a close second....alright not close.
In midfield we did get the ball down and play and on a couple of occasions we managed to free Mitch and his final ball just eluded our attack. When AFC pushed Claudio forward our dynamic duo Alex and Ross had to be alert to restrict him to shots from the edge of the box which they duly managed to do. We did create some good chances and Kevin once or twice looked to have broken clear but was driven wide and his angle was acute when he shot. Both sides drew their fair share of corners and free kicks but whilst the ball bobbled about there was no clear sight of goal.
As the game drew to a conclusion the football did improve thank goodness. Both sides huffed and puffed and apart from a near miss when Mitch headed away out of Dan Shaw’s hands the Lions saw off the danger.
Both sides will know they can play better and the opportunity is there in 12 days time in what should be a decent game. I hope that the Lion’s learn from this game and put in a display more like that from Leighton last Thursday. When they play football and focus then they are a much more difficult proposition than they showed in this 80 minute effort.
Anyway one game left for this season, a season that has shown the Lion’s grow in stature and strength. So just one more TEAM performance please to round off an exceptional season by anyone’s standards.
Next game CUP FINAL – 22nd May Luton Town FC v AFC Dunstable.
Squad: Dan Shaw, Luke Parker, Matty Cullis, Dan Booth, Liam Scott, Jack Westbrook, Kevin Feldman, Mitch Tofts, Brandon Banda, Jack Allen, Johnny Harman, Eben Darko, Ross Wheeler, Jack Croxford and Alex Collard
PS: Karen I am still very thirsty!
NPTFC Lions 2 v 1 AFC Dunstable
Half – Time: 2 - 1
Scorers: Liam Scott 2
A second Liam Scott brace in the space of 4 days saw the Lions finish their league campaign with another win in the League and a record of P16 W14 D2 L0!
I think everyone knew that this game had other significance than just another league game given the Cup Final in 2 weeks and that so many players from both sides are school friends and past teammates. That was why it was great to see one or two of the local AFC players joining us after in the club to watch the conclusion of the Premier League.
We have already done the issuing of plaudits, but thanks to the League Vice Chairman for his time yesterday and kind words, when presenting the League medals.
In truth the game wasn’t anywhere near our best performance of recent weeks in some part due to our opponents work ethic but mainly because we lost sight of the style of football that got us to the top of this league.
I think that our workmanlike performance wasn’t helped by the early goal we scored through Liam. I don’t think the match was more than 5 minutes old when we worked the ball from the right into Westy and his pass to Liam was instant and the latter’s turn and sprint took him clear before the usual clinical finish.
It all seemed a bit too easy a bit too early and so it turned out to be. AFC Dunstable are a good side and with Claudio and Steve Blood having excellent games and pulling the strings in midfield a reaction to that goal was inevitable. For the next 15 minutes we struggled down our left to contain Claudio’s bursts and Brandon spent more time in defensive mode than as an attacking force. So that threat plus Steve Blood and his central midfield partner bossing the midfield areas meant we were under a period of sustained pressure.
We still managed to stay strong and although it was ragged at times we kept AFC away from Dan’s goal. Down our right we did get more joy as Dan and Eben constantly got the latter in behind the Dunstable defence and Liam could have scored from a pullback but his shot lacked venom.
What we did have through all this was a cutting edge with Liam and Westy working the AFC defence throughout. It was however as we pushed forward that we looked our most fragile and after one warning when Nathan shot straight at Dan, the second time around he made no mistake. This drew some improvement in our play and the introduction of Crox and Mitch also made us more combative. What we still lacked was quality until that was until John urged by JT to push forward took a short goal kick, drew the AFC defender and slid Liam in and he made no mistake. Minutes before the break and a crucial time to score.
At the break I didn’t hear the precise details of John and Michael’s message but I think they were disappointed that we had failed to show any of the qualities of recent games. Our defensive line was poor as people switched off; we were too deep in midfield and therefore didn’t have a chance to support attacks, and just not where we have been in recent games.
The 2nd half was better and whilst we were against the wind we did at least play some football getting Luke and Dan and Jack A into the game more. Eben was still the main outlet and he terrorised the AFC Dunstable left back who was probably sick of the sight of him running at him. I doubt the AFC linesman was that happy having to keep up with them either. I must confess to wincing once or twice when Nathan took off down my wing...shall we say I may have come a close second....alright not close.
In midfield we did get the ball down and play and on a couple of occasions we managed to free Mitch and his final ball just eluded our attack. When AFC pushed Claudio forward our dynamic duo Alex and Ross had to be alert to restrict him to shots from the edge of the box which they duly managed to do. We did create some good chances and Kevin once or twice looked to have broken clear but was driven wide and his angle was acute when he shot. Both sides drew their fair share of corners and free kicks but whilst the ball bobbled about there was no clear sight of goal.
As the game drew to a conclusion the football did improve thank goodness. Both sides huffed and puffed and apart from a near miss when Mitch headed away out of Dan Shaw’s hands the Lions saw off the danger.
Both sides will know they can play better and the opportunity is there in 12 days time in what should be a decent game. I hope that the Lion’s learn from this game and put in a display more like that from Leighton last Thursday. When they play football and focus then they are a much more difficult proposition than they showed in this 80 minute effort.
Anyway one game left for this season, a season that has shown the Lion’s grow in stature and strength. So just one more TEAM performance please to round off an exceptional season by anyone’s standards.
Next game CUP FINAL – 22nd May Luton Town FC v AFC Dunstable.
Squad: Dan Shaw, Luke Parker, Matty Cullis, Dan Booth, Liam Scott, Jack Westbrook, Kevin Feldman, Mitch Tofts, Brandon Banda, Jack Allen, Johnny Harman, Eben Darko, Ross Wheeler, Jack Croxford and Alex Collard
PS: Karen I am still very thirsty!