Gower Allstars simply too strong for Virgin NME in absorbing top-of-the table clash.
The men in maroon’s opposition boasted 3 wins out of 3 in the run-up to this eagerly-contested match but Virgin’s expectations of a result against the current champions were to be cruelly exposed as delusional as Allstars dominated the match with a fluent, crisp high-tempo passing game and a strong physical presence which combined to mesmerise and dismay their ultimately disconsolate opponents.
With the admirable foraging of Ollie Durrant along the right and a splendidly assertive application of his rich skills by Johnny Hurly on the left setting an ambitious tone, Allstars thoroughly dominated the first half and laid the foundation for a relentlessly enthralling match. Botterill was almost unplayable, dancing effortlessly and penetratingly through the increasingly distressed Virgin ranks. With Kelly turning in another hugely convincing performance, constantly winning possession and threading perceptive passes through to his colleagues, Blandy back to his devastating best and Medley powerfully dominant alongside him, the Allstars threatened to overwhelm their opponents in the first half hour. After one tantalising run by Botterill, the perplexed and frustrated Virgin centre-back was forced to check that his men really were aware of their positions, so comprehensively had Botterill pulled them out of shape.
At the back, the flexible but resilient line up of Capone, Glyn, Byfield and Chittenden thwarted any sporadic attempts by Virgin to launch counter attacks, their chief threat coming from an occasional sweep up the flanks and a solitary direct free kick... resolutely faced this week by a determined and properly-organised wall. The cordon around the penalty area was breached rarely and, apart from a comfortable save from the free kick and a couple of routine claims, Paley’s main contribution in the first half was punting to the marauding Medley or feeding forays up the flanks. Indeed it was a short pass after an adventurous dribble in the area that kicked off the goal of the match - and possibly the season so far. Chittenden took the ball and fed Botterill who dummied left and picked out Durrant on the right. Not for the first time, Ollie “yes-I-am-happy-to-be-back-on-the-right-wing” delivered a cross of craftsman-like precision to Medley who met it with a powerful header back across the goal for Blandy to turn in on the volley. This was scintillating stuff. Medley, a constant menace to the Virgin backs, then forced several saves from the busy Virgin keeper. Hurly saw an attempt go wide and Botterill unstitched the defence again only to be denied by another desperate parry.
Virgin wouldn’t have been maltreated to find themselves several goals behind at the interval instead of just the one, and are due huge credit for attempting to swing the match in their favour in the second half. A substitution and a positional switch in midfield proved an unlikely catalyst and Virgin started to win possession, quickly mounting a succession of early attacks, one of which led to a fierce shot against the post from a narrow angle and announced their second half intentions all too clearly. Allstars’ inability to clear their lines successfully then led to a succession of Virgin corners, bravely dealt with by the ever-impressive Byfield and the uncompromising Glyn or comfortably gathered by a more active but still largely untroubled Paley.
Allstars gradually managed to weather this early second half storm and did launch some more attacks of their own but with less of the conviction and authority that had marked their imperious first half form. Hurly, injured in the first half, was replaced with Stiefel to sure up the defence. 50:50 balls kept going the wrong way for a spell and Virgin did defend well, somehow managing to contain the pervasive Allstar threat with a combination of desperate lunges and the intervention of luck. Medley raced onto one chance and unleashed a superb shot which went agonisingly wide. Another similar effort was pushed away by a lunging keeper. As the game wore on Virgin kept believing that they could steal an equaliser and a run of direct free-kicks, given by a firm ref determined to keep the physicality of the game within the law, provided them with several good opportunities to convert their lingering hopes into a precious point. Overall however, it would have been ludicrous to suggest, as did some of the Virgin team afterwards, that they were deserving of a draw. Allstars class and firepower had clearly trumped dogged Virgin resolve and late on in the game this ascendancy was finally reflected in the score-line. After an altercation on the far right in which the desperate and illegal attempts of the Virgin defence to contain Medley were rightly penalised - and Medley himself cautioned for retaliation - Kelly floated the perfect free-kick for Blandy to head forcefully into the net.
Four consecutive league wins... and the small matter of settling the score with a certain Phoenix this Sunday to attend to!
MOM. A truly difficult decision as almost everyone was in contention. Kelly was dynamic and pivotal, especially in the first half. Durrant’s crossing was impeccable and Medley’s runs exciting and unlucky not to be rewarded with goals. Botterrill’s first half performance was breathtaking. Byfield had another exceptional game. But this week’s MOTM goes to Blandy for a superb display of skill and strength maintained throughout and rewarded by a brace of well-taken goals.
Report by Rod Paley
With the admirable foraging of Ollie Durrant along the right and a splendidly assertive application of his rich skills by Johnny Hurly on the left setting an ambitious tone, Allstars thoroughly dominated the first half and laid the foundation for a relentlessly enthralling match. Botterill was almost unplayable, dancing effortlessly and penetratingly through the increasingly distressed Virgin ranks. With Kelly turning in another hugely convincing performance, constantly winning possession and threading perceptive passes through to his colleagues, Blandy back to his devastating best and Medley powerfully dominant alongside him, the Allstars threatened to overwhelm their opponents in the first half hour. After one tantalising run by Botterill, the perplexed and frustrated Virgin centre-back was forced to check that his men really were aware of their positions, so comprehensively had Botterill pulled them out of shape.
At the back, the flexible but resilient line up of Capone, Glyn, Byfield and Chittenden thwarted any sporadic attempts by Virgin to launch counter attacks, their chief threat coming from an occasional sweep up the flanks and a solitary direct free kick... resolutely faced this week by a determined and properly-organised wall. The cordon around the penalty area was breached rarely and, apart from a comfortable save from the free kick and a couple of routine claims, Paley’s main contribution in the first half was punting to the marauding Medley or feeding forays up the flanks. Indeed it was a short pass after an adventurous dribble in the area that kicked off the goal of the match - and possibly the season so far. Chittenden took the ball and fed Botterill who dummied left and picked out Durrant on the right. Not for the first time, Ollie “yes-I-am-happy-to-be-back-on-the-right-wing” delivered a cross of craftsman-like precision to Medley who met it with a powerful header back across the goal for Blandy to turn in on the volley. This was scintillating stuff. Medley, a constant menace to the Virgin backs, then forced several saves from the busy Virgin keeper. Hurly saw an attempt go wide and Botterill unstitched the defence again only to be denied by another desperate parry.
Virgin wouldn’t have been maltreated to find themselves several goals behind at the interval instead of just the one, and are due huge credit for attempting to swing the match in their favour in the second half. A substitution and a positional switch in midfield proved an unlikely catalyst and Virgin started to win possession, quickly mounting a succession of early attacks, one of which led to a fierce shot against the post from a narrow angle and announced their second half intentions all too clearly. Allstars’ inability to clear their lines successfully then led to a succession of Virgin corners, bravely dealt with by the ever-impressive Byfield and the uncompromising Glyn or comfortably gathered by a more active but still largely untroubled Paley.
Allstars gradually managed to weather this early second half storm and did launch some more attacks of their own but with less of the conviction and authority that had marked their imperious first half form. Hurly, injured in the first half, was replaced with Stiefel to sure up the defence. 50:50 balls kept going the wrong way for a spell and Virgin did defend well, somehow managing to contain the pervasive Allstar threat with a combination of desperate lunges and the intervention of luck. Medley raced onto one chance and unleashed a superb shot which went agonisingly wide. Another similar effort was pushed away by a lunging keeper. As the game wore on Virgin kept believing that they could steal an equaliser and a run of direct free-kicks, given by a firm ref determined to keep the physicality of the game within the law, provided them with several good opportunities to convert their lingering hopes into a precious point. Overall however, it would have been ludicrous to suggest, as did some of the Virgin team afterwards, that they were deserving of a draw. Allstars class and firepower had clearly trumped dogged Virgin resolve and late on in the game this ascendancy was finally reflected in the score-line. After an altercation on the far right in which the desperate and illegal attempts of the Virgin defence to contain Medley were rightly penalised - and Medley himself cautioned for retaliation - Kelly floated the perfect free-kick for Blandy to head forcefully into the net.
Four consecutive league wins... and the small matter of settling the score with a certain Phoenix this Sunday to attend to!
MOM. A truly difficult decision as almost everyone was in contention. Kelly was dynamic and pivotal, especially in the first half. Durrant’s crossing was impeccable and Medley’s runs exciting and unlucky not to be rewarded with goals. Botterrill’s first half performance was breathtaking. Byfield had another exceptional game. But this week’s MOTM goes to Blandy for a superb display of skill and strength maintained throughout and rewarded by a brace of well-taken goals.
Report by Rod Paley
posted by Gower FC @ 6:06 AM
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