Barrel
23-12-2007, 20:11
WHITTLESEY UNITED RESERVES 6CHATTERIS TOWN RESERVES 3The Manor was the venue for an enthralling football spectacle on Saturday as Whittlesey continued their vibrant start to the league campaign with three points at home to Chatteris Town.We knew before the game that this would be a difficult encounter against a youthful side such as ourselves and we would need to be at our best.We started very brightly and took the lead within the first minute as Adam Moore burst into the box and looped the ball over the Chatteris goalkeeper to open the deadlock. We remained comfortable after the goal but our ball retention was poor and we let Chatteris back into the game when we failed to clear the ball inside our box and were punished as Chatteris played the ball across the box where despite the efforts of defender Scott Laud on the goal line, the visitors equalised. Chatteris were now in the ascendancy and added a second just moments later when a route one ball was not dealt with by the Whittlesey defence and in stepped the Chatteris forward who lofted over the advancing Fletcher in the Whittlesey goal. Whittlesey were denied a blatant penalty with the scores at 2-1 as Matty Heron was sithed down in the box, but despite the appeals of the home players the referee incredibly awarded a free kick against us! Just as we looked to settle down and get back into the game we were dealt a further blow when Chatteris made it 3-1 after 30 mins when their striker smashed in a shot into the far corner beyond Fletcher.Finding ourselves 3-1 down after 30 minutes was a situation the boys hadn't found themselves in for some time and it would be a good test of their character to show how they responded. The answer was that they responded in admirable fashion and set about Chatteris like a bunch of wounded animals. Hibbins hit the cross bar with a header and had a shot well saved by the visiting keeper. With 10 minutes of the half remaining, Hibbins found space in the box and slotted in past the keeper to reduce the arrears. Whittlesey created further chances and on the stroke of half time, persistent work from Smith resulted in an equalising goal that was greeted with much glee from the home players and bench. At half time the scores were all square at 3-3. The boys had not been great first half but hadn't played particularly bad, individual errors has cost us dearly in the opening period and we emphasised that we couldnt afford any further stumbles and had to step it up to the level we had played out the last 15 minutes of the first half.The home side's second half performance was controlled and exciting as they upped the tempo and got to the visitors early on, Ryan Smith maraudered down the right wing and hit a shot from 20 yards out that squeezed under the visiting keeper at his near post to put the home side ahead for the second time in the game. The home side defended better than they did in the first half and were back to their usual accomplished selves. Adam Moore made it 5-3 with his second of the game when he skipped past a home defender in the box with a deft touch and smashed a volley past the Chatteris stopper. Whittlesey were now in rampant mood and Smith added a third as he prodded home from close range to claim his hat trick and secure the three points that earlier in the day had looked a long way away.The boys ran out worthy winners in the end but were given a scare by a useful visiting side who must have thought they had us rattled at 3-1. We showed tremendous character to bounce back in such fashion and showed that we had leaders out on the pitch that are prepared to dig in and fight when they find themselves under pressure. I know myself, Bluestar and Cozza were proud of all the lads on Saturday evening as they showed a spirit and fight that Whittlesey teams are renowned for. All the lads had a few beers at the xmas do Saturday night pleased with the day's result but focused on the trip to Parson Drove next Saturday.Cheers, Barrel