| STOCKBRIDGE YOUTH 6 LUDGERSHALL SPORTS 2In the most horrendous of weather conditions Stockbridge and Ludgershall battled out a difficult league match. The players not only had to contend with driving rain but also winds which were gusting up to 70 miles an hour. The wind was blowing straight down the ground and meant that football was difficult to play with lofted balls into the wind often blowing back over the heads of the kicker!
Stockbridge played with the wind at their backs in the first half, Manager Glenn CURTIS said, “Whilst I wanted to encourage our lads to continue to play the passing football we are seeking to encourage, I felt that we would need 5 goals by half time – the wind was so strong”.
Stockbridge started brightly with Alex THOMPSON and Charlie WILLCOX enjoying the help of the weather to pin Ludgershall back in their own half. As early as the 4th minute Stockbridge took the lead with a Daniel CURTIS goal. They continued to pile on the pressure and a second goal followed when Alex THOMPSON shot high over the keepers head and into the roof of the net.
A third goal was scored with a superb finish from Hayden PENNY, he disposed the centre back and drove towards the penalty area and finished brilliantly into the corner of net with a powerful strike.
The 4th Stockbridge goal had a slice of good fortune about it – with Ludgershall pinned deep into their own half the home team left back, Elliot SHERWOOD-CLARKE was able to push into the midfield area. He was quick to react to a clearance which fell into the middle of the pitch, he struck a powerful right foot shot which with wind assistance was travelling rapidly towards the goal, a Ludgershall defender tried to head the shot but it glanced off his head and wrong footed the keeper before dropping into the goal. (The dubious goals panel have watched replays and concluded the shot was goal bound before the deflection and therefore the goal has been awarded to Elliot for his first goal for the club).
At 4 nil up the half time whistle came, but not before Ludgershall had managed some dangerous looking attacks but they were not able to trouble the stand in keeper Casper ROSHAN.
At half time Manager Glenn CURTIS used the Ludgershall attacks to highlight the importance of playing the ball along the ground and passing and moving to beat the windy conditions. He was also able to warn the Stockbridge defenders that their work for the morning was about to start. Mitchell Travers came on in a reshuffled defence to allow George SUTCLIFFE to replace Willcox in midfield who suffered an arm injury early in the first half.
Ludgershall did not immediately impose themselves on Stockbridge and Stockbridge played some neat passing football. Stockbridge scored the first goal of the half, when good work on the left from PENNY and Mali COLLORADO found CURTIS to tap home from close range.
Ludgershall responded well and forced Stockbridge back, but ROSHAN was secure in the Stockbridge goal, and kicked the ball very well considering the strong wind he was facing. Ludgershall grabbed a goal back from a corner but Stockbridge responded well and again played some neat passing football. They scored a second goal against the wind when PENNY broke down the left and passed inside to Bailey FOSTER who beat his man and crossed from the right, COLLORADO met the ball, controlled it well and calmly side footed home from the narrowest of angles.
Ludgershall grabbed what was to be their consolation goal when another corner on the left was met and tucked home at the near post. Ludgershall also brought two great saves from ROSHAN, one of them involving a save which pushed the ball into the air and the wind and then with a brilliant recovery he athletically volleyed the dropping ball over the cross bar from the goal line.
Manger Glenn CURTIS said after the game, “It is fantastic to have secured the victory and all player`s deserve a pat on the back for playing so well in such poor conditions. The high winds were always likely to make the game an ugly affair but I was really pleased that we still tried to keep the ball on the ground and pass it. Casper ROSHAN played really well in conditions that were appalling for goal keepers; he kicked the ball very well from the ground and was always quick to distribute the ball short when he could. Bailey FOSTER had a very strong performance and he held the ball up well to help ease the pressure on us. Our Man of the Match was Alex THOMPSON, he was involved in all areas of the pitch and played with a real winners desire. He was excellent”.
Our next match is away to Wolversdene on Saturday 21st November 2009, time to be confirmed |
