| Steve Beard (16.04.08) |
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FLACKWELL HEATH 3 (1) |
MAIDENHEAD UNITED 4 (2) |
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We had a bare 12 players. But didn't they do
well. Usual right back Xavier Ettienne volunteered to go in goal. With only one regular full back to choose from I decided to play him in central midfield!!!!! I moved our regular two midfielders back a position to cover the centre back positions. I gave three players their first outings in the Allied League. Up front we were strong with Lee Barney, Nathan Lishman and James Gisbourne. We obviously started a little shaky with players settling to the new positions they were task with. And on Flackwells first corner on 10 minutes we were found out through poor marking when a free man slotted home from 6 yards. As the game progressed we settled and started to dominate going close several times with one delightful outside footed curling shot from Gisbourne clipping the upright and post that would have been contender for goal of the year in anybody's books. Nathan Lishman levelled the scores in the 38th minute when great work from Gisbourne and Barney set Lishman free to slot the ball home. The same three players interpassed again in the final minute of the half for Lishman to again strike a great goal from 8 yards to give a 2-1 lead at half time. Flackwell came out of the blocks in the second half with purpose. They equalised from set play when we failed to pick up markers from a corner and their impressive number nine coolly placed his shot home wide of Ettienne. Slowly we edged back into the game and created chances. Our pace is our biggest asset and sprightly Gisbourne made it 3-2 with a stupendous run and one two to put us back in the lead on 77 minutes. On 83 minutes our hearts sank when from another set piece a loose shot looked saved from volunteer stand-in keeper Ettienne only for Xav to palm into his own net!!!! Luckily for Xav we went up the other end 2 minutes later and Lee Barney smashed home the winner after a neat quick interchange from Gisbourne and Lishman. Overall a great result. A bonus was Henley losing to Burnham 2-0. This means that if we beat Burnham in our last game in the league next Weds at York Road Henley will need 2 points from their last two games to secure the title from us. Our next match is on Monday night in the Semi Final of the League Cup against Burnham. Kick Off 7-45 Two days later we again face Burnham in a crunch League match at York Road. Please pop down and support us and see the quality football on show. You will not be disappointed. |
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Squad Tonight: Xavier Ettiene, Ben Ridley, Sam Lock, Chris Sargent, George Bond, James Gisbourne, Andy Wells, Steve Deverall, Luke Turner, Lee Barney, Nathan Lishman. Subs: David Olver for Luke Turner (65) |