Match
Reports
2nd
March 2003
Under
13's Div 13D: Bottisham 0 - 6 Brampton Spartans
We
played Brampton Spartans today, a side which beat us 24 - 0
only three weeks ago. Today they came to us expecting a walkover
and were surprised that we were up for a game.With a new goalkeeper,new
centre back pairing and a whole new system we really played
a part in a most entertaining, end to end game.Credit should
go to both sides for the spirit in which the game was played,there
wasn't a bad tackle in the match and indiscipline was never
going to be a problem for two sides which were a credit to their
respective clubs.
Brampton were a well drilled side with some very good players
who showed good close control and vision, and on the day they
turned out to be more than a match for a well organized Bottisham
team who played with great spirit and a superb never say die
attitude. Spartans ran out worthy winners of a closely fought
game which the scoreline doesn't tell the full story. I only
wish that every game I watch was as good as this one, it had
everything, good goalkeeping, great defending, some excellent
finishing, and missed chances (all at both ends). A game played
the way all games should be played, with a smile on everybodies
face, player ,coach and supporter alike. Even the referee was
reported to have smiled (could have been wind).
Final result: Bottisham 0 - 6 Brampton Spartans.
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9th
March 2003
Under
13's Div 13D: Bottisham 1 - 4 Saffron Walden Town
Well,
where do I begin ? On a day more suited to an international
kite flying championship than a football match, we took on the
league leaders just three weeks after they had whupped us 13
- 0 at their place.Since that defeat we have completely changed
our playing system, swapping from a 4 - 4 - 2 to a 3 - 2 - 3
- 1 -1. The introduction of wing backs has certainly given us
more of an attacking edge, as our last three results have reflected.
We have actually started to play in the oppositions' half of
the pitch ! After some early pressure from the visitors, we
went behind to an early goal,with Martyn Lee scoring in the
fifth minute for Saffron Walden.
In what was a fiercely contested game by both sides the home
side defended well in the face of a very strong swirling wind,
but to be fair we struggled to get out of our own half. After
camping in our half for twenty two minutes we conceded a second,
scored by Zak Rayner. We thought we should have gone in at half
time two nil down but some bad luck and a strong gust conspired
against us.Lee again broke clear through the middle and unleashed
a left foot shot which the home keeper diving low to his right
did well to parry, only to watch open mouthed as the wind picked
up and blew the ball the required two feet over the line.What
was that about an ill wind blowing no good ?
The second half brought about a brilliant fightback from the
home side. With good chances going begging from £££
££££
and ££££££ ££££££, (they know who they are). With the wind behind
them Bottisham pressed forward and defended stoutly and continued
to create problems for the Walden defence,although to be fair,
a fantastic man of the match performance from Mark Johnson and
a well drilled offside routine from the rest of the Bottisham
defence kept us in the game on many occasions as did some fine
work from Glen Lively in the home goal. With ten minutes to
go the pressure paid off for Bottisham when Eddie Robinson chased
down a backpass giving the keeper no time or space ,he could
only hit an attempted clearance against Robinson who kept his
head to square the ball for Wes McGovern to slot the ball home
from six yards.
This was only the second goal that the undefeated leaders had
conceded in 2003. Unfortunately the goal seemed to upset them
and within a minute Lee had broken through from the left and
restored their three goal lead as well as completing his hat
trick. Although the tempo of the game was dependant on the conditions,
both sides played a good game within the spirit of the game.Saffron
Walden should ease out of this division as champions and it
was very easy to see why, they are a very well drilled side
with a good teamwork ethic and although we tried hard to match
them they were just too good for us on the day,but that should
not detract from our performance with the improvements evident
week after week.
Man
of the match: Mark Johnson
Team:
Glen Lively,Luke Stannett,Rob Herring,Mark Johnson,Jamal Abutarboush,James
Duff,Eddie Robinson,Toby Parsonage,Steve Collings,Ben Paul,Rupert
Crossland and Wesley McGovern.
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