Results 16/12/2006

[stretfordendling©]

Hayes Reserves 5 - 0 Waltham Forest - Suburban League Cup

As our first team were not in action this saturday I felt the need to watch the reserves as I heard that some of the first team were gonna be played in this match. So infront of a capacity crowd of around 25 we had a pretty tetchy first half only finishing it 2-0 up. The second half was much more entertaining as we quickly went 3-0 up. Soon made 4-0 by Josh Scott with his second of the game. Our last goal was scored by the impressive substitute Junior Thompson who I think could push for first team chances in a few seasons time.

I was pleased with this match because it meant I actually witnessed a 5-0 thrashing on the right side for a change!!!

Proper tinpot attendance this was. Beats 76,000 at Old Trafford any day

[coops]

Heath Town Rangers 2-4 Penn Colts

A shock result as the West Midlands League Division 2 leaders are outplayed by mid-table Penn.

Attendance: Approximately 45 of the hardest looking fans since the heyday of Cold Blow Lane! This is the first time I have been offered drugs at a football match! It's also unusual for the home team centre-forward to come out after half-time still supping from a can of Stella!

Good fun but I reckon they eat groundhoppers so beware.

[Giggy of Telford]

Grantham Town 0-1 AFC Telford United

Telford jumped back on the horse following the 1-3 home defeat to Whitby last week with an unconvincing performance but a deserved win against2nd from bottom Grantham Town.

First half was a boring affair but for a few dodgy tackles which led to bookings and some Grantham fans turning nasty. What started off as simplle banter was returned by a Telford following of about similar size the the Grantham home support. Grantham fans took offence to the returned banter and a few started to get a bit agitated, credit to the Telford fans nearby who didn't rise to the bait. The Grantham fans managed to wind themselves up when they realised that Telford fans weren't reacting, resulting in one Grantham fan landing a punch on a Telford fan. Other than that it was a dull first half, few good chances for either side and those that did happen were dealt with very well by both goalkeepers and defences.

The Telford squad seemed an odd selection with wingback Dean Craven who has been impressive this season starting on the benchwhile recently signed striker Tyrone Barnett was not in the team while top scorer Steve Foster who had been out with an injury and was unlikely to play had started. Wingback Lee Vaughan and midfielder/skipper Steve Palmer had both passed fitness tests on Thursday. Vaughan & Palmer each got a booking for their efforts however, Vaughan for a challenge in which he and a Grantham player went at each other with their elbows, both were booked after quick treatment for each by respective physios and a free kick was given to....Grantham. Palmer was booked for arguing with the ref too much. Jai Stanley was taken ill less than half an hour before the match meaning substitute Scott Willis was promoted to the starting XI while Ben Twigger was put onto the bench in place. Willis was booked for a rash challenge on a Grantham player and another Grantham player was booked for a revenge attack later in the game. A 2nd Gratham player was booked i nthis incident for kicking the ball away.

In the second half we had moved away from the angrier Grantham fans, both sets of fans were along the sides to get closer to the pitch than at either end due to a running track plus other athletics stuff. Both teams attacked a bit more with Telford keeper Stuart Brock making one particularly good save. Lee Vaughan's, Steve Palmer's and Steve Foster's injuries all got the better of them and were replaced by Ben Twigger, Dean Craven and Justin marsden respectively, all are expected to be back for Hednesford. Dean Craven picked up a booking for a late challenge

The breakthrough came on 88 minutes when Dean Craven put in a brilliant pass to Jusin Marsden who was just outside the 6-yard box. Marsden cooly slotted the ball past the keeper for the only goal of the game. Practically all the telfrod squad, more out of relief than anything else ran across the running track and began to celebrate with the away support. you could have heard a pin drop on the other side of the ground where the previously angry Grantham fans were stood.

After scoring Telford never looked likely to surrender the lead, there was time enough for the bloke on the tannoy to name their number 6 as man of the match, almost straight after he was booked and lucky not to be sent off for an off the ball incident.Full time came and we had won, albeit with a poor performance.

Final Score: GTFC 0-1 AFCTU

My MotM: 1) Stuart brock
Followed by: 8) Steve Palmer - he may have came first if he'd managed 90 minutes.
The by: 7) Scott Willis.

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On one final note I'd like to say the problematic Gratham fans were a minority and were talked to by a steward. There were some children brought in from local schools who behaved perfectly throughout the match, cheered their team on for the full 90 minutes and even congratulated us at the end of the match. They will bring nothing but good to the club over the years.

[samd]

Blyth Spartans 0-1 Moor Green

First half incidents: Moor Green penalty 0-1
Second half incidents: Moor Green player gets second yellow for kicking the ball away

referee rating: bucket of knobcheese

attendance: 561 (10-15 brummies)