Match report
Westwood Jets 9 - 3 Drighlington
Sunday 25th October 2009
A
game of two halves, literally. Windy and drizzly first half conditions
gave Drighlington a small advantage as they went in 3-2 up at half
time. Their first goal came early on from indecisive Westwood defending
which allowed the Drighlington No 9 to pick his spot. This
provoked a response from the home side and Connor Thompson picked the
ball up on the half way line then found Dominic Anderson making a run
on the right; he in turn sent in a low cross which found Kieran Walton
on the far post to knock home for the equaliser.
A huge kick
from the Drighlington goalkeeper led to their 2nd goal as, wind
assisted, the ball bounced inside the Westwood half taking out three
Westwood players and fell to the other Drighlington forward who made no
mistake. Again, the response was swift, great tackling in midfield by
Ross Kelly and Lewis Goldsborough allowed the ball to fall to Kieran.
With space in front and with 2 defenders chasing, he approached goal
then contrived to sit the goalkeeper down, but kept his composure and
then passed the ball past the grounded goalie. But Drighlington would
not lay down – from a corner 5 minutes from half time, the ball found
No9 unmarked again and he punished the defence once more.
A team
gathering and a Jaffa Cake each later, Westwood came out with a winning
attitude. Early pressure resulted in a good strike from James Leedale
to level the score. A corner by Callum Armitage found Ross Kelly, who
helped it towards goal – Kieran poached helped it home to secure his
hat-trick. He followed it up minutes later with a powerful shot
that was worthy of a goal but tantalisingly hit the post. Good work by
Callum and Jake Dawson on the left enabled the ball to fall to Kieran
who danced around tackles in the box and then coolly looked up to slot
the ball home for 5-3. Not to be outdone on the right, Elliot Gelder
and Connor Thompson found Lewis Goldsborough who sent the ball forward,
then a mistake by a Drighlington defender on the half way line allowed
Kieran to go forward and win a one-on-one with the keeper for his fifth
of the game.
Drighlington had one or two chances in between the
goals, but the defensive consistency of Patrick Henry and Matthew
Wardman and fine saves from Jacob Ashbrook didn’t allow them to add to
their tally. Constant pressure at the other end of the pitch allowed
Callum Armitage to fire a fantastic left foot strike from just outside
the box giving the Drighlington goalkeeper no chance. Callum got his
second minutes later and he was involved again in the final goal,
sending over a dangerous ball from a corner which was met by James
Leadale, whose powerful header had goal written all over it.
Callum
and Kieran shared man of the match, but it was a great team effort with
some good football played all over the pitch. The defence overcame
early pressure with Matthew and Patrick working as a close unit. Elliot
and Callum both had good games working the lines with Connor and Jake
respectively. Jacob in goal was constantly alert, pulling off a
fine save towards the end to thwart a Drighlington free kick. Lewis and
Ross caused problems for the opposition in midfield with some fine
tackling and good passing. James worked hard and took both his goals
well. Dominic and Kieran caused a whole load of trouble for the
visiting defenders and worked well together.
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