Easton Monday 95 vs Russell Athletic 50s

Match Reports

MONDAY MATCH REPORT

Monday managed to scrape 11 (fit-ish) men to start this Cup Quarter Final which made the starting selection easy other than who was going to take the left back spot, Colonel or Ricky. Colonel got the job and Draner stepped up to go centre back replacing the injured Neil.

Stu made a welcome return from his winter training on the Austrian ski slopes with some wise words and Sheri did his normal pre match request for ‘ball-on-the-floor and press better as a team.’

The ref forgot it was 10am kick off so Neil stepped up to hobble around the centre circle until he arrived.

The game started pretty even and with a high tempo (well, for bunch of over 50’s anyway) with both sides having half chances and Russell a couple of very good chances that went begging, one attempt hitting the woodwork. As centre back Jim Philpott told waiting reporters after the game… “We started a bit slowly as both teams left big gaps in the big pitch.” Draner added… “We seemed to start where we left off the previous week, coughing the ball up too easily and inviting some needless pressure.”

It took a slick Monday passing move involving Yarrow, Sheri, Yarrow and Stu to unlock the defence and give the Blues a one-nil lead.

This seemed to energise the Mondays and Duds quickly got the second after a good run from Dr Rob down the right.

The third was created when a great ball out from the back to Yinka, as he later told reporters… “Rather than the unsuccessful over reliance on over-the-top/killer through ball, the ball was played to my feet and I was then able to turn my man and drive to the corner, cut back, look up to see Sheri begging for a pass to get his first goal of the season.”Colonel was having a steady game apart from one rush of blood that saw him sprinting 50 yards in a one man press of their centre back to no avail and a slow crawl of shame back to his position with Sheri yelling at him… “That’s just a f@ckin waste of time and energy Colonel.”

A calm half time chat for a change (missing the Brian Rance rant) established that more of the same needed, although we concluded our energy levels for the aggressive press could take a back seat. I’m not sure if this ‘casual’ attitude included the rather bizarre second half kick-off as Jim observed… “Rather than pass it back to any one the 10 players behind the ball, Sheri attempted an innovative direct through ball, which was read by absolutely no one and went directly to an opponent.”

This wavelength malfunction aside, the 95ers continued to create chances and added to the score with a comedy own goal.

Sheri looked set to finish off a good move but the keeper got his boot to it, ball hit the post, then hit the defender and into the net. Sheri tried to claim it with a smile but nobody was having it. OG 4-0.

Sub Dan arrived soon after kick off to replace Ricky who had pulled something and Draner moved up to the right wing with Dr Rob moving to right back.

The game was getting stretched and the pace dropped as the sun came out and Monday started to knock it about nicely.

A nice bit of vintage Barcelona-esque keep-ball involving Colonel, Dan and Stu passing easy and accurately resulted in Stu finding acres of space and he picked out the top corner from 30 yards out (lovely finish). 5-0. Yinka, showing his class out on the left received a lay off from Sheri on the outside of the box, firing a sweet strike that beat the keeper but not the crossbar, the rebound fell back to Yinka who instead of taking another shot laid it off to Duds. With just the keeper to beat, Duds managed to pass the ball straight to him.

The last goal was a through ball from Draner to Yinka who took the ball around the keeper to slot home. A late counter attack saw Draner clean through on goal being tracked by one of the over 60s defenders, despite Draner having a good 10 yards on him, the sight of seeing the goal keeper caused panic and instead of a cool finish, Draner tripped over himself ending up in a heap on the floor with the ball trickling to the keepers hand.

After the game Philpott told the post-match conference… “They threatened up to ruin the clean sheet throughout the game but a combination of fine handling by Mr Reliable, Sir Lee in goal and a bit of luck/help from the woodwork kept them out.”

Sheri added… “Overall good team effort with high energy levels from all. Difficult to pick out a Man of the Match and it was a great overall team effort with good energy. Colonel is a contender clean sheet, easy passes and less shouty than the usual left-back. But I’d also consider Stu for two class goals, Duds, always full of forward runs and Draner for mopping up nicely at the back and despite managing to squander a couple of easy chances, notched a couple of assists.”

Mark Drane summed up the game nicely by adding… “The whole game was played in great spirits by both teams with good weather and a top ref. A cracking Sunday morning and a cup semi final awaits.”