Stogursey 4-4 Bridgwater Sports Colts

27th October 2007 @ Stogursy FC

Team: Howes, Criddle, Savage, Walford, Young, Monaghan, Selway, Curren, Frost, Fearn, Redman

Subs: Townsend, Birch, J. Gardner

Scorers: J. Gardiner (3) Redman

Star Man : Jamie Gardiner for his second half hatrick

W*nker: Nathan Criddle - More Jamie Carragher & less Rio Ferdinand please!

Donkey: Andy Farkas for blowing a gasket at half time & then having to go home after the agem with a Migraine

After suffering their first defeat of the season on the previous Saturday, it was important that the Colts reaffirmed their attentions and credentials for their league campaign, with a positive result, in a tough away fixture at Stogursey.

Iaine Selway was given his first league start in 8 years (!) and Rob Fern was given a welcomed opportunity to regain some fitness, following an injury lay off, and with the Colts continuing to benefit, at this level, from having a strong bench, offering a number of options, there was a quiet optimism from the management for a quick return to winning ways.  4-5-1 was the selected option with a reminder that it was this system that created the best opportunities during the previous week’s game – when properly employed!

The game began and thoughts returned to the early goal gifted to the opposition on the previous weekend, however, this weekend it was different………………we gifted TWO early goals!!

The first goal – and here’s a surprise! – came from a simple cross into the box that should have been dealt with by any half-witted defender………..I’ll stop there!!  For further details into this exact method which we employ to concede our goals, please refer to all previous match report (excl. Swallofield) from this season!!

The second goal, still with only 5mins having been played, was an individual mistake/misjudgement by Nathan ‘Attack First Defend Second’ Criddle, who’d pulled wide to receive the ball  from his keeper, with time and space available he chose to draw the attacker and tried to cut inside him.  The attacker dispossessed Nathan in the tackle and was free to run through, under no pressure, to slot past the helpless Gazza.  The only credit can go to the rest of the players for not slaughtering their young team mate for such a schoolboy error – although they have permission to do so should he do it again!

The fortunate thing was that the goals had come so early.  This gave the Colts plenty of opportunity to get to grips with the game and create their own chances to score.  Unfortunately, they decided not to take up this, or any other opportunity, to compete in the first half.  With every basic footballing skill/requirement having gone missing from so many players in the side, it was not possible to effect a change from the sidelines and I’m quite happy to name Spenny and possibly young Walfey as the only individuals to escape this criticism.

Stogursey lacked any real quality but made up for this with honest commitment and a winning desire and their third goal came as no surprise.

With time running out, the Colts were handed a lifeline.  Iaine Selway chased down and harassed the opposition defence, forcing them into a hurried clearance which fell to Kev Curren.  His simple square ball found Redders on the corner of the box, from where he neatly lobbed the keeper and reduced the deficit to 3-1.  But as the players came off at half time they were hardly recognisable from those that had been training hard together since June and had put together six worthy, straight league wins.

During the interval the management were unable to bite their tongues over the first half debacle, despite the obvious and urgent need to regroup, refocus and effect some change in order to get the team playing football for the remaining 45mins.

Two substitutions were made ahead of the restart.  Olly came into the back four to raise the tempo and install some urgency into the game, and Jamie Gardener joined the growing band of 16/17 year olds to make their debut this season, was sent on up front to play alongside the significantly older Steve Redman.

The reality check at half time may have hurt some pride but the players showed great character in accepting the criticism and having the will to want to do better, and the change in attitude of the players, as the 2nd half began was clearly noticeable. 

The whole team had changed up 2 or 3 gears and, as such, began to dominate procession, and, as such, chances began to come.  At just the right time, 10mins from the restart, the Colts pulled another goal back.  A through ball from Rob Fern saw the centre back appear to be trading treacle as Jamie’s turn of pace put him yards in the clear and through on goal, but could the youngster hold his nerve?……………oh yes!  A tremendously well struck left foot shot flew passed the keeper and into the net for 3-2.

Stogursey were now as much on the back foot as we were in the first half, and it was vital, while on top, that we kept our foot on the pedal and pressed home this advantage, and that’s exactly what we did just 5mins later.  More good possession football saw the ball driven into box where Jamie was quickest to react to strike the ball home from 10yrds out and from 3 nil down, the scores were level at 3-3.

Would the Colts now feel that the job was done and pause for a breather?  Fortunately, the answer was no and with Robbie now pulling the strings in mid-field, the money was firmly on the Colts to go on and complete the task, and incredibly, with only 25 minutes gone in the second half, the Colts took the lead when Jamie Gardner capped a perfect debut by completing a second half hat-trick.  Since his introduction at half time the Stogursey defence simply could not cope with his pace, movement and trickery and where again just bystanders as Jamie’s accomplished finish put the Colts ahead.

Since the restart it had been all one way traffic.  Stogursey could only rely on a few long balls and dangerous long throws to test our defence, who were much more determined in this period, and it only seemed likely that any further goals would be scored by the Colts.  Unfortunately, this wasn’t the case.  With 10mins remaining the opposition ventured into our final third of the field and hit a cross field ball. The cross took a wicked deflection which caught our defence wrong footed but allowed the centre forward to take the ball in his stride.  Off balance, tackles were missed and the capable striker ran through to shoot past Gazza’s gallant effort for 4-4.

In the final minutes, Jamie proved to be human after all, taking one touch to many when through again on goal, and missing the opportunity to completely take the p!ss by scoring four!  But also at the other end, following another long throw, Gazza produced a quality reflex save from close range to keep the final score at 4-4.  So, over the full 90mins I suspect that both teams would accept a draw as a fair result.

As inept as the 1st half performance undoubtedly was, the 2nd half performance was correspondingly impressive.  The turn around was huge and I couldn’t have hoped for more from the players.  Jamie’s hat-trick was superb, but the whole team stood up to be counted in that 2nd half, and Stogursey, despite their own great belief and endeavour, were no match in any area of the field.  Another performance to learn from!

Final Score:     4-4                   Scorers:          Jamie Gardner (3)       Steve Redman

Team – inc. Dream Team Ratings

G. Howes         8         

N. Criddle         6         

C. Savage        7

A. Walford       7         

A. Young         6         

G. Monaghan    6         

I. Selway         7         

K. Curren         6

S. Frost           7

R. Fern            7         

S. Redman       7         

Subs:                           O. Townsend 7           L. Birch 6         J. Gardner 9    *Star Man

Donkey:                      N. Criddle  -     More Jamie Carragher, less Rio Ferdinand please!

W**ker:                   A. Farkas   -      Blowing a gasket at half time and going home with a                                migraine after the game!