Match Report

Bargate Rovers (1) v Derby Ams (4)

Date: 01/09/07
Team: 1sts
Match Type: League
Venue: Away
Opposition: Bargate Rovers

Our opposition today would be Bargate who were currently sat rock bottom of the division without a point to their name, but knowing that complacency killed the cat (or something like that), it was something we could ill afford as we haven’t started much better ourselves.

All season we have been plagued by one common factor in every game. Not it is not the fact that our keeper has been in top form, it’s not even that we have the mardiest captain in the history of the world… but we are yet to field the same team for two games running due to the Swain rotation system. But with the confident way we went our work last game, a change to all the changes was needed, for a change.

The defence lined up as last week with the experience of Yarnall, battling abilities of Bradly and the composure of Morris forming what should be on paper a strong defence. In midfield we had the in-form Strickson plating in what is now considered to be his best position, ball playing wingers in Tweddle and Hurst but with a tactical change for captain Colley, who was asked to play the holding role to accommodate the eagerly anticipated debut for Gary Magee who started in the ‘SS’ role. Lewis and Whittaker started again upfront after impressing as a duo midweek. Subs named were Broughton, Swain and Dibbsy (who can’t even speel his own name), meaning that every position could be accommodated (make your own joke here) in the event of an injury or when Grant needed a pie.

Away games are always harder to play than home games, but when we turned up and saw that the pitch we were playing on had more of a slant on it than a certain goalkeeper’s nose, we knew we would be in for a game of two completely differing halves. Defending the slope, wind and sun in our eyes in one half and the attacking with the same trio of vices in the other. Getting it tactically right would play a major part of the game. Fortunately for our captain (and saviour), it was purely a heads or tails call, although he genuinely did ask for advice (in future Ady, remember, tails never fails).

That match got underway, and even playing uphill, the gulf in quality was obvious. We monopolised possession, and put them under constant pressure and a goal soon came. The corner was played in by Morris and was met by the head of Bradders who put the ball inside the Bargate netting. 1-0.

The same two combined ten minutes later to get our second but this time it was a more drilled in corner which saw Bradders have a free header in the box, and power the ball past the keeper and a defender on the line. 2-0.

Half time arrived and we were buzzing. The banter was flowing, as were the bottles of water, as it was a hot day. The kind of day that would see some nice flowerage and make for interesting ornithology outings, light breeze, beaming sunshine. You know the type. We had successfully defended a clean sheet in what should be the harder of the two halves, and even better than that we were two to the good.

At this point I would like to give a special mention to vice captain and manager Adam Morris as he did soldier on and play for us despite suffering a horrific injury. I warn you now, what follows may make you feel physically sick and is not for the faint hearted. Really small graze on his right thigh that he openly admitted to having to shower with a plastic carrier bag stuck to his leg to prevent the nasty water getting at it. Sometimes Ads, you make me feel less of a man.

The second half got underway, and credit to Bargate they did have ago at us despite being reduced to ten men. A long ball came into our half for which our keeper shouted free head to Bradders. As it turned out it wasn’t a free header at all and Bradders suffered a clash of heads and very possibly a broken nose. But i'm sorry, I will not apologise. Derbyshire replaced him in a like for like role. Strickson was replaced by Swain and Whittaker with Broughton.

Swains first touch on the pitch assisted our third goal and saw Broughton open his account for the season. The ball came in from a corner to which Broughton jumped the highest (he was the only one who jumped at all) and nodded the ball home into the roof of the net in yet another free header in the box. 3-0.

The changes had, however, unsettled us at the back and gifted Bargate their goal. A ball played over the top of our defence got held up by their forward who passed the ball square to an oncoming midfielder who took it first time and slotted the ball in the bottom corner. 3-1.

Some nice ball work on the floor saw us grab our fourth and final goal of the game. Nice interplay between Twedds Morris Swain and Colley saw us keep the ball for about fifteen passes and then a through ball to Broughton who played another pass into the path of Lewis who sprinted away from their defence and slid the ball low past their keeper. 4-1.

The final whistle was blown and ended a game which we deservedly won and didn’t do our goal difference any harm at all. Still a few things to improve, talking is still not always present although it is getting better, and at times we resort to playing a long ball game, but overall is an improvement from prior weeks and now means we have an unbeaten run of two games.

BONK of the match – James Whittaker. You must have known this was coming. Great first touch saw him with his back to goal; he turned, skinned the defender only to be brought down under a heavy challenge from the wind and even stayed down injured. And he’s meant to be our target man upfront????

Man of the match – Lee Bradly – scored two good goals and was solid at the back, not loosing a single header all game. Could well have had our first hat-trick of the season but for an injury.