Gower Allstars vs Redstar Camden - Match Report
Group Cup quartfinal
This is the first tme in 10 match reports, that I write about a defeat and it doesn’t feel good.
As I’m sure all the players felt, it was a very frustrating afternoon against the ever reliable Redstar.
Allstars lined up with Rod in goal, Sav, Ossack, Gladstone, and Chittenden as the back four, Botterill, Ricky, Street, and Durrant in the midfield and Owen and Mike upfront.
Allstars got off to a strong chance with a number of half chances that didn’t find the net, the best of which fell to Owen and Botterill in quick succession, but neither finished off their chances.
The two best teams in the Premier division began to nullify themselves in the midfield, which led to some big challenges, hard chasing and plenty of work for both sides, in order to create any real chances to speak of.
Both teams were trying to play football, and it was Gowers who created more, but with no end result.
No real chances for Redstar in the first half, apart from a long throw, which led to confusion in the 6 yard box between keeper and defenders – only for the Redstar striker to capitalise on indecision, and bumble the ball into the net.
1-0 redstar against the run of play.
The score remained that way until halftime.
The Gowers knew they should have been winning at half time and knew they had to pull out a big 2nd half performance to turn this one round.
But unfortunately the first 25 mins of the 2nd half, did not go their way.
Redstar stepped up the midfield pressure & did not let the Gowers play at, and the usually dominant Ricky/Street combination was not apparent – and it led to Gower passing going astray and the usual Gower fluency was evidently missing.
And they were punished further, by a lucky goal, which was a 35-yard cross from the right wing, that dipped over Rods head, and into the top corner
2-0 Redstar.
Testament to Gowers grit and determination this season, they did not give up for one second. Infact the last 20 mins of the match were Gowers best.
Good running from Chittenden and Owen, created overlaps down the right – and chances to score.
A breakthrough finally came on 80 mins, when a perfect free-kick on the halfway line, was not dealt with by Redstar defence and Chittenden pounced on the indecision and scrambled the ball in to the net.
2-1
10 mins to play.
It was a tense finish with notable chances from Ossack, and Kelly, but neither could find the equaliser, and the game were to finish in Redstars favour.
Maybe on the balance of play, Redstar deserved victory, but it was not down to their good dominating or creative play. It was due to the Allstars’ unusual lack of fluency and accuracy of passing.
We created more than Redstar, but didn’t finish them off.
Against the top teams, we simply must take our chances.
As I’m sure all the players felt, it was a very frustrating afternoon against the ever reliable Redstar.
Allstars lined up with Rod in goal, Sav, Ossack, Gladstone, and Chittenden as the back four, Botterill, Ricky, Street, and Durrant in the midfield and Owen and Mike upfront.
Allstars got off to a strong chance with a number of half chances that didn’t find the net, the best of which fell to Owen and Botterill in quick succession, but neither finished off their chances.
The two best teams in the Premier division began to nullify themselves in the midfield, which led to some big challenges, hard chasing and plenty of work for both sides, in order to create any real chances to speak of.
Both teams were trying to play football, and it was Gowers who created more, but with no end result.
No real chances for Redstar in the first half, apart from a long throw, which led to confusion in the 6 yard box between keeper and defenders – only for the Redstar striker to capitalise on indecision, and bumble the ball into the net.
1-0 redstar against the run of play.
The score remained that way until halftime.
The Gowers knew they should have been winning at half time and knew they had to pull out a big 2nd half performance to turn this one round.
But unfortunately the first 25 mins of the 2nd half, did not go their way.
Redstar stepped up the midfield pressure & did not let the Gowers play at, and the usually dominant Ricky/Street combination was not apparent – and it led to Gower passing going astray and the usual Gower fluency was evidently missing.
And they were punished further, by a lucky goal, which was a 35-yard cross from the right wing, that dipped over Rods head, and into the top corner
2-0 Redstar.
Testament to Gowers grit and determination this season, they did not give up for one second. Infact the last 20 mins of the match were Gowers best.
Good running from Chittenden and Owen, created overlaps down the right – and chances to score.
A breakthrough finally came on 80 mins, when a perfect free-kick on the halfway line, was not dealt with by Redstar defence and Chittenden pounced on the indecision and scrambled the ball in to the net.
2-1
10 mins to play.
It was a tense finish with notable chances from Ossack, and Kelly, but neither could find the equaliser, and the game were to finish in Redstars favour.
Maybe on the balance of play, Redstar deserved victory, but it was not down to their good dominating or creative play. It was due to the Allstars’ unusual lack of fluency and accuracy of passing.
We created more than Redstar, but didn’t finish them off.
Against the top teams, we simply must take our chances.
MOTM = Chittenden – defended excellently, pegged forward and created great attacking option and scored a rare goal. Fully deserved.
A disappointing end to 2007, but there are plenty of positives to take.
1) we are top of the league, and redstar and outback still have to play each other twice.
2) Redstar know full well that we are as good as them and can beat them in any given match – something that they have not experienced for years.
3) Redstar know they cannot slip up at all – if they are to retain this league title.
Get rested, stay fit, and come back in January fresh and raring to go.
posted by Gower FC @ 5:37 AM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home