Match Report

Calverton Miners Welfare (3) v Derby Ams (1)

Date: 27/09/08
Team: 2nds
Match Type: League
Venue: Away
Opposition: Calverton Miners Welfare

This week’s fixture against Calverton miners’ Welfare ended in a 3-1 loss, a scoreline which flatters the opposition and does not reflect the game.

Starting the game with a 3-5-2 formation which, on reflection, was the wrong choice. We conceded two early goals, one a poor penalty decision, the other punishment for our poor defending. This led to us trying a change in formation, switching to 4-4-2.

Whilst this did not have an immediate effect, as the first half progressed we emerged as the stronger team playing better football, and being tighter at the back led to us scoring late in the half.

The first half was not without its dramas. Shortly after the formation change Fisher went of dazed and confused after receiving a hefty Clay clearance square in the face. Clay’s reign of chaos continued when an opposing player decided to run straight into Clay as he cleared a 50/50 ball. At the moment of impact with Clay’s not unconsiderable bulk an audible ‘POP’ was heard by nearby players.

This proved to be the sound made by a nose breaking as is smashes into a solid object.

The proverb says things happen in threes – this proved to be true by Cartwright aggravating a previous injury whilst clearing a ball, leaving him needing to leave the field. Substitutes, Kumar and Blackburn, came on and played well.
With renewed enthusiasm the second half began as the first had left off. Our continued style of play, whilst creating opportunities, failed to lead to a goal but frustrated the opposition into long clearances.

A free kick towards the end of the game led to another goal for Calverton, and ultimately our defeat.

The recent high levels of unavailability of players which has left both teams short should be resolved next week with several players remaining.