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The Chequer dominated this match throughout yet came away
with nothing due to a combination of poor finishing, lazy
defending and questionable refereeing.
Taulke Finance by no means played poorly,
they were a decent footballing side, who created several
scoring opportunities, forcing a fine tip on to the crossbar
by David Kennet from a venomous strike within 5 minutes
of kick off.
Chequer though created chance after chance
in the first half, but some good saves and poor finishing
meant the score was 0-0 approaching half time. Warren
Partridge, brother Lewis, and Danny Gainsford were all
guilty of missing good chances.
Then with two minutes of the half remaining
the referee awarded a penalty after a shoulder to shoulder
challenge by Sean Hourigan, that was never a foul, and
who himself had been manhandled off the ball prior to
the challenge and should have been awarded a free kick
in his favour. The spot kick was converted and we were
trailing 1-0.
In the second half, whilst Taulke threatened
on the break, exploiting gaps between the midfield and
defence, Chequer continued to have the better of the game.
With 20 minutes to go and chasing the game, Tom Pickford
who was on for the injured Gareth Dutton, pushed into
a five man midfield to leave three at the back. The plan
backfired as within 30 seconds Taulke added a second goal
exploiting a gap down our left. Lewis Partridge dived
in leaving a simple square ball and finish to leave us
a mountain to climb.
Shortly afterwards though a fine Chequer
move ended with a Warren Partridge close range finish,
and with 15 minutes to play and dominating the match a
draw seemed likely. However despite numerous further chances
from open play and set pieces, Chequer continued to squander
everything in front of goal. Aaron Comber twice failed
to finish from close range, Danny hit the post and Warren
dragged a shot just wide.
Chequer must have had twenty five efforts
at goal to Taulke's eight or nine, but fair play to them,
they took their two best chances and though their goal
led a charmed life, they fought hard for their victory.
Five games, three defeats, six points...
any hope of a title challenge is fading fast. On a positive
note at least the team played far better than last week
and looked more cohesive today.
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Squad:
(4-4-2)
David Kennett
Adam Price
Sean Hourigan
Steve Duffett
Gareth Dutton
(Tom Pickford 45)
Lewis Partridge
Danny Gainsford
Adam Searle
Si Price
Aaron Comber
Warren Partridge
Subs:
Tom Pickford (45)
Goalscorers:
Warren Partridge
M.O.M.:
Sean Hourigan
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