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6th October 2007
Swallowfield 0-6 Bridgwater Sports Colts
Team: Howes, Criddle, Savage, Walford, Hill, Monaghan, Townsend, Curren, Frost, Taylor, P.Organ
Subs: Birch, A.Clapp, Woolridge
Scorers: Monaghan (3) Taylor, P. Organ, A. Clapp
After the cancellation of the previous week’s fixture, it may have been a concern that the momentum gained from 4 straight wins could have stuttered slightly. However, 2 minutes into the game it was clear that the team still had the appetite to perform and were keen to impress.
Swallowfield, often the leagues whipping boys, do have a spirit about them and despite losing their previous 4 games they had still scored 12 goals in the process; But they were always going to struggle against a new Colts forward line consisting of Jack Taylor and Paul Organ. This was proven to be the case when the 2 players combined, at the first opportunity, to score after just 2 minutes. Orgy made space to receive the ball before playing it in behind the defence, who thought it was safe enough but did not reckon on the pace of Jack, who frightened the life out of the central defender, when he appeared on his shoulder to nip the ball off his toe, and then shoot past the keeper, 1-0.
5 minutes later, a long ball out of defence again found its way beyond Swallowfield’s defence and again Jack was on to it in a flash. The shell shocked defender was unable to shake off the terrier like Taylor who eventually dispossessed him but saw his shot rebound off the post to safety.
With the home defence putting all their effort into containing these two front players, Gareth Monaghan was enjoying the freedom of the park on the left hand side. Unfortunately, he was unwilling to share this space with anyone else, choosing instead to keep this information to himself!! But after 15mins, (shortly after Nathan Criddle had also hit the woodwork with a 30yrd screamer) Orgy spoiled his party by knocking the ball through to him. Then, with a turn of pace and with consummate ease, he race onto the ball and with a little flick lob the ball flew over the out rushing keeper and into the net, 2-0.
This was all the encouragement he needed to join in the forward play, being purposely orchestrated by Orgy, and for the remainder of the 1st half Swallowfield would have faced less one way traffic if they had set up goal down Union Street!
The Colts defence, which had looked solid all season in open play, took a short while to adjust to the new 4-4-2 formation, but had a determination about them to play their own part in this game, and keep the first clean sheet in the Club this season. Olly was typically combative in the centre of the park, alongside Spence, who’s work rate and link up play is proving invaluable so far this season. As the game went on the back four, plus Gaz, were gaining in their own confidence and playing as a unit – and could even be heard to be communicating between themselves!
Orgy got the goal that he deserved and Gareth got his 2nd and our 4th before the ref drew a close to the 1st half.
The half-time whistle was actually a blessing for both sides. Swallowfield were able to lick their wounds, while the Colts were able to regroup and refocus on their game, which was starting to become too ragged and too predictable, as the lazy long ball was becoming everyone’s weapon of choice.
For the second half Liam Birch (the youngest of the clubs 16 year olds) made his debut and 10mins later Adam Clapp replaced the hard working Spence, but not before Gareth had completed his hat-trick with a determined chase to reach a ball, which was looking to drift past the post and run out of play, to slot it home from a tight angle, 5-0.
Dan Woolridge, making it six U17 players used in the day, came on for the last 20mins. The introduction of 3 second half substitutions seemed to disrupt the flow of the game, which was becoming increasingly disjointed. However, Adam Clapp was able to complete the scoring by helping himself to a rare goal, when heading home a dangerous cross from a Nathan Criddle corner, 6-0.
Overall, a job well done. The forward play seemed to look after itself and was excellent, but it was particularly pleasing to see the defence performing as a combined unit and taking a personal and collective responsibility to shut out the opposition and not letting them have a sniff of goal all afternoon. Thanks also to Redders, for a late call up to provide some experienced cover on the bench.
Final Score: 6 – 0
Scorers: Gareth Monaghan (3) Jack Taylor Paul Organ Adam Clapp
Team – inc. Dream Team Ratings
G. Howes 7
N. Criddle 7
C. Savage 7
A. Walford 7
M. Hill 7
G. Monaghan 8
O. Townsend 8
K. Curren 6
S. Frost 7
J. Taylor 7
P. Organ 8 *Star Man – intelligent forward play & good leadership
Subs
L. Birch 6
A. Clapp 7
D. Woolridge 6
S. Redman Unused
Donkey: M. Hill – inability to kick the ball straight & thus to keep the ball in play!
W**ker: A. Clapp – being done BIG time by a BIG player!
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