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A dominant first half performance by
Sports and a series of outstanding saves by their keeper
in the second half saw our opponents take all 3 points
to keep them in this year's premiership title race.
Chequer were outplayed and
outfought in the first half. Sports were lively and dangerous
on the break and their wingers gave wingbacks Tom Pickford
and Adam Searle the runaround. Sports were fortunate to
take an early lead when a shot that keeper Matt Bailey
was about to collect was deflected past him by sweeper
Richard Wilkie who had a nightmare first half. The same
defender was left exposed by the rest of the defence and
was turned inside out 10 minutes later by Sports' James
Highton who finished impressively from 12 yards. Matt
pulled a muscle in his back trying to save this effort
and had to be replaced by Matt Laker, who was beaten for
Sports' 3rd by a superbly struck 20 yard free kick 5 minutes
before half time.
We had fought back 3 weeks
ago to earn a point from a similar situation against Sports,
but things looked impossible when Sports added a 4th shortly
after half time, the lively James Highton adding his 2nd.
Chequer however, reorganised at the back - Adam Searle
moving to sweeper and Jonathan Wood coming on at right
wing. Chequer looked more solid and began to create numerous
chances. Warren Partridge caught Sports on the break to
give us hope, and when Tom Pickford, who had moved into
central midfield, hit a thumping 20 yarder, Chequer looked
like they might steal a point with 15 minutes left. Indeed
Warren and Tom both missed easy chances, and Sports' keeper
made 3 superb saves including a fine reflex save from
George Trafford's point blank header, without which Chequer
would surely have got something from the game. But it
was to be his and Sports' day as Chequer failed to convert
their numerous opportunities. With 2 minutes to go Sports
added a 5th as Chequer desperatley pressed forward. The
goal shouldn't have stood as Sports' forward collided
with Matt Laker as he came to collect in a clear foul,
but by then Sports had the 3 points sown up anyway.
Our loss today means
Sport's remain 3rd, but now only a point behind ourselves
in 2nd with John Henry's still out in front 4 points ahead.
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Squad:
(3-5-2)
Matt Bailey
(Matt Laker 25)
Richard Wilkie
(Jonathan Wood 45)
Gareth Dutton
Christian Young
(Trevor Yearwood 65)
Tom Pickford
Lewis Partridge
George Trafford
Sean Hourigan
Adam Searle
Warren Partridge
James O'Neill
Subs:
Matt Laker (25)
Jonathan Wood (45)
Trevor Yearwood (65)
Goalscorers:
Warren Partridge
Tom Pickford
M.O.M.:
Adam Searle
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