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The Chequer kept the pressure on at
the top with another three points, despite almost throwing
away a five goal lead in the final twenty five minutes.
With John Henry's drawing last week & Rustington losing
today, Chequer are currently the form team of the premier
league.
Chequer took Empire apart
in the first half, & looked like scoring every time
they attacked, whilst Empire's forwards were effectively
shut out during the first forty five minutes. Approaching
half time Chequer had strolled into a 3 - 0 lead, with
two goals from Warren Partridge and one from brother Lewis.
Most of Chequer's brightest moves stemmed from Tom Pickford
who gave the Empire left back a torrid time. With two
minutes of the half remaining a weak snap shot by Empire
was fumbled by Matt Bailey to give Lancing a hint of hope,
hope that appeared to be dashed when Chequer added a fourth
on the stoke of half time - a fine chip by Sean Hourigan
- to restore the three goal cushion.
For the first twenty minutes
of the second half Chequer continued to dominate Empire
& added two further goals. Warren hit an unstoppable
volley past the keeper from twelve yards after a fine
cross from Tom Pickford, & Sean Hourigan claimed his
second & Chequer's sixth shortly afterwards. Chequer
missed a couple of easy chances, but appeared to be cruising
to victory. That all changed in a mad last twenty five
minutes. Firstly Empire added a second when their no.
10 powerfully headed home a great cross. Then Tom, who
had been our best player, turned his ankle under a heavy
challenge. Without his pace and skill in midfield a flagging
Chequer began to concede possession to an Empire team
with a renewed desire and belief. Within three minutes
of replacing Tom, Trevor Yearwood conceded a penalty.
Matt Bailey had no chance against the spot-kick - 6-3.
Chequer were not only tired, but were panicking and conceding
possession readily. With ten minutes to go sweeper Richard
Wilkie conceded a free kick twenty five yards from goal,
which was expertly thumped home past the wall & a
flailing goalkeeper who had no hope against such a venomous
strike - 6 - 4. Immediately from the kick off Sean conceded
possession with a dangerous pass, when there were easy
options available; The ball was played forward for Empire
to smash home an unbelievably powerful volley not thirty
seconds since their last goal. With eight minutes to play
it seemed as if Empire might make a more remarkable comeback
than Lazarus. Chequer were lucky to see two late efforts
crash off the post and come away with all three points.
The result keeps us
second with two games in hand over John Henry's and four
points ahead of Rustington who we host next week. Chequer
must though learn to hold on to a lead & not fall
apart in the last twenty minutes. We have a tendency to
concede a high number of goals deep into the second half
- it happened against Azzuri, John Henry's, FC Kronenbourg,
Ashington. We have won three & drawn one of our last
five games, scoring an impressive twenty one goals, yet
conceded twenty, twelve of them in the second half. I
guess at least our games are entertaining as there has
been an average of 7.6 goals scored in the eight league
games we have played!
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Squad:
(3-5-2)
Matt Bailey
Richard Wilkie
Gareth Dutton
Christian Young
Tom Pickford
(Trevor Yearwood 65)
Adam Searle
George Trafford
Sean Hourigan
Aaron Comber
Lewis Partridge
Warren Partridge
Subs:
Trevor Yearwood (65)
Goalscorers:
Warren Partridge
Tom Pickford
M.O.M.:
Tom Pickford & Warren
Partridge - inseparable
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