Barrel
11-12-2007, 20:01
LEVERINGTON SPORTS RESERVES 1
WHITTLESEY UNITED RESERVES 4
Whittlesey picked up another valuable three points on Saturday in a tough encounter at Leverington Sports. As we prepared for this game we knew that the home side would be looking to avenge the 8-1 defeat at the Manor earlier this season.
The game started slowly for the visitors with Leverington looking to stamp their physical presence on the game from an early stage. After 10 minutes though Whittlesey began to adapt to the gameplan being put into practice by the home side and started to stand up the to challenge. On 20 minutes a wicked ball delivered into the box by midfielder Danny Baxter was flicked on by Paul Hibbins and at the back post Ryan Smith stabbed home to make it 1-0. Following this goal, the visitors applied the pressure, Micky Burch worked an excellent opening out on the right wing and delivered an inch perfect ball for strike partner Hibbins to head at goal, only for the keeper to make a point blank save. Whittlesey were defending well and starting to win the midfield battle that was developing on a rain soaked pitch as the tackles flew in, this in turn resulted in the creation of a number of chances for the visitors to increase their numerical advantage. Despite this pressure the we went into the break a goal to the good.
In the second half Whittlesey started well and continued to sustain their pressure, this was rewarded when Micky Burch fired home a tremendous goal that was fit to grace any game, he nonchantly lifted the ball over the oncoming Leverington centre half and then pulled the trigger on a venemous right footed shot that flew into the home keeper's right hand side and nestled into the back of the net.
Whittlesey were continuing to be dominant with midfielder Adam Moore covering every blade of grass and tenaciously challenging every ball. Leverington were provided with an avenue into the game though when the referee awarded a penalty for handball against our skipper. The Leverington forward stepped up and smashed the ball into the back of the visiting net, only to have to retake the penalty for encroachment against a home player, Fletcher couldnt reach the ball though as the player again smashed home to reduce the arrears.
The Leverington goal was to be a great test of our character and we responded in the best possible way. Bobby Dart returning to the side after an injury to Lee Baker raced down the left hand side and smashed a thunderbolt that cannoned off the Leverington crossbar. Dart's disappointment was only short lived though as he delivered a cross come shot that deceived everybody and looped over the despairing lunge of the home keeper to restore Whittlesey's two goal advantage. Whittlesey pressed for another and this came when Paul Hibbins delivered a knockout blow 'Floyd Mayweather' style and made it 4-1 to put the game beyond doubt.
For me this was one of the most satisfying wins of the campaign. Make no bones about this was a tough encounter against a very physical and competitive side who tried to outmuscle us and affect our game, but the boys stood up to the challenge and as the now infamous comment in the Big Ron series 'When its a battle you fooking battle' was never more in evidence than Saturday afternoon from our boys. Micky Burch secured the MOM for a fantastic performance and Adam Moore was also tremendous on Saturday but this was a real team effort and was a very good win.
This week we travel to Langtoft for what i'm sure will be another tough game and hopefully another three points :dsc:
WHITTLESEY UNITED RESERVES 4
Whittlesey picked up another valuable three points on Saturday in a tough encounter at Leverington Sports. As we prepared for this game we knew that the home side would be looking to avenge the 8-1 defeat at the Manor earlier this season.
The game started slowly for the visitors with Leverington looking to stamp their physical presence on the game from an early stage. After 10 minutes though Whittlesey began to adapt to the gameplan being put into practice by the home side and started to stand up the to challenge. On 20 minutes a wicked ball delivered into the box by midfielder Danny Baxter was flicked on by Paul Hibbins and at the back post Ryan Smith stabbed home to make it 1-0. Following this goal, the visitors applied the pressure, Micky Burch worked an excellent opening out on the right wing and delivered an inch perfect ball for strike partner Hibbins to head at goal, only for the keeper to make a point blank save. Whittlesey were defending well and starting to win the midfield battle that was developing on a rain soaked pitch as the tackles flew in, this in turn resulted in the creation of a number of chances for the visitors to increase their numerical advantage. Despite this pressure the we went into the break a goal to the good.
In the second half Whittlesey started well and continued to sustain their pressure, this was rewarded when Micky Burch fired home a tremendous goal that was fit to grace any game, he nonchantly lifted the ball over the oncoming Leverington centre half and then pulled the trigger on a venemous right footed shot that flew into the home keeper's right hand side and nestled into the back of the net.
Whittlesey were continuing to be dominant with midfielder Adam Moore covering every blade of grass and tenaciously challenging every ball. Leverington were provided with an avenue into the game though when the referee awarded a penalty for handball against our skipper. The Leverington forward stepped up and smashed the ball into the back of the visiting net, only to have to retake the penalty for encroachment against a home player, Fletcher couldnt reach the ball though as the player again smashed home to reduce the arrears.
The Leverington goal was to be a great test of our character and we responded in the best possible way. Bobby Dart returning to the side after an injury to Lee Baker raced down the left hand side and smashed a thunderbolt that cannoned off the Leverington crossbar. Dart's disappointment was only short lived though as he delivered a cross come shot that deceived everybody and looped over the despairing lunge of the home keeper to restore Whittlesey's two goal advantage. Whittlesey pressed for another and this came when Paul Hibbins delivered a knockout blow 'Floyd Mayweather' style and made it 4-1 to put the game beyond doubt.
For me this was one of the most satisfying wins of the campaign. Make no bones about this was a tough encounter against a very physical and competitive side who tried to outmuscle us and affect our game, but the boys stood up to the challenge and as the now infamous comment in the Big Ron series 'When its a battle you fooking battle' was never more in evidence than Saturday afternoon from our boys. Micky Burch secured the MOM for a fantastic performance and Adam Moore was also tremendous on Saturday but this was a real team effort and was a very good win.
This week we travel to Langtoft for what i'm sure will be another tough game and hopefully another three points :dsc: