Virgin NME vs Gower Allstars - match report

The Gower Allstars recorded their first Premiership victory with a fine counter-attacking performance against a well-established talented Virgin NME.

The game began with Gower dominating the first 20 mins, with some fine interchanging between midfield and attack, which created one or two early chances for the boys in Maroon.

And it was the excellent midfield battling of Ricky and Street that stood out for the Gowers – winning loose ball, tackling hard and turning defence into attack.

Gowers domination resulted in a breakaway goal, when Botterill making an unfamiliar appearance at left-mid, sent Medley through into a one on one with the keeper, and Medley rounded the stranded keeper in style, and finished with his left foot to make it 1-0.

This early goal gave Virgin the kick up the ass that they needed – and their quality began to shine through shortly after.

A highly skilful left-winger tormented Chittenden throughout the remaining 25 mins of the half, and it was from the left wing that Virgin’s equaliser came. Some fine skill down the flank, drew the centre backs toward the breaking winger, and a perfect low cross from the attacking winger, found their striker free in the box – who finished with precision and composure.

1-1

Virgin almost took the lead when a deflected clearance fell to the Virgin striker, leaving him one on one 20 yards out, but a fine last-ditch sliding tackle by Glyn and a good save from Paley, denied the striker.

Gowers bounced back with 10 mins of the half remaining when the lethal combination of Kelly and Medley worked yet again, with Kelly slotting Medley behind the full back and centre back, into an angled one-on-one, and he finished coolly to give the Gowers a 2-1 lead at HT.

The beginning of the second half was always going to turn the game, and Gowers knew one more goal could finish Virgin off.

The next 15 mins was Gowers best of the season so far – with Ricky winning nearly every tackle he went in for and the Allstars counter attacking with true Premiership quality.

It was a break-away turning defence into attack, when Street sent Ricky down the left into acres of space. He took it down the wing, waited for Medley to arrive in the box, and planted a perfect left foot cross onto Medley’s foot – and Medley finished with class to give Gower a vital 3-1 lead.

5 minutes later, Gower surprised Virgin yet again when Botterill slotted a finely executed through ball (between centre back and full back), to send Durrant through onto a one-on-one – and surprisingly Durrant finished in style.

4-1 practically game over.

Although Virgin, to their credit, battled on, they were never really in the game, once there was a 3 goal lead.

And even with a late penalty with 7 mins to go, Virgin could not score, with a rare and brilliant double-save from the ever agile Paley.

So 4-1 it finished – and there was no question that Gowers thoroughly deserved this victory.

An extremely solid performance by defence, midfield and attack – providing organisation, communication and ultimately domination. I am sensing that this will not be the last time, I report on some fine defending combined by some lethal counter-attacking by the Gowers this season.

MOTM = Ricky – the heartbeat and driving force of the team and Medley – precision goal scoring, what else…

Next week – Red Star, Regents Park 2.00pm KO – the ultimate test. Be ready to send shock waves through the league…Impossible is nothing.