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Sean Stevenson - second half goal gave hope |
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‘Pot Shot’ leads to Malt Snooker’s Victory
Winteringham Reserves 1 - 4 Malt Snooker
Scunthorpe Sunday League Division 4
by Anthony Hubbard
On Sunday March 9th Winteringham FC Reserves met Malt Snooker in the League. It was an opportunity to move up the league, as a win would see them move up one place and put them a point behind Malt Snooker with two games in hand. Winteringham Reserves had reason to feel confident as they had put in some good solid performances in recent matches.
Winteringham seemed to start the game very nervously and didn’t play the free flowing football they had the previous week. Malt Snooker were definitely up for the battle, being first to every loose ball and winning the majority of the 50/50’s. Although Malt had the majority of possession they didn’t really create any chances to trouble goal keeper Paul Mitchell in the early stages. It wasn’t until about 30 minutes in when a Malt player toe poked a shot from 25 yards that Malt broke the deadlock, it was a freakish goal but nothing more than Malt deserved.
Manager Ian Brown tried to rally the troops and inject some of the fighting spirit they had shown the previous week, but it went from bad to worse moments later when a defensive error and a hotly disputed handball decision led to Malts second goal. Half time couldn’t come quick enough for Winteringham as it gave Ian chance to try to settle his team and ignite some passion in them. Ian made a tactical substitution, bringing on Anth Hubbard to play right midfield, switching Craig Grice to centre midfield and dropping Rory Cunningham to centre back, John Underwood was the unlucky player to be substituted.
It seemed the change in tactic was going to pay off as in the second Winteringham had a lot more of the ball and started to create some good chances. Midway through the second half Sean Stevenson raced onto a through ball from Josh Hubbard and calmly slotted the ball past the onrushing keeper. It seem like the fight back was on, but moments after the restart a failure to close down a player on the edge of the area led to Malt scoring a third. Winteringham had to really push forward now and that led to Malt scoring a fourth on the counter attack.
On reflection there were some good individual performances, but that’s what they were - individual, Winteringham failed to play as a team. Were Malt three goals better than Winteringham? Maybe not, but at the end of the day they played like a team and not as individual players and that’s what won them the game. Winteringham Reserves now have four games to salvage something from their season. Next up its Crown Inn of Messingham away on Sunday 16th March.
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Winteringham
Paul Mitchell
Ben Griffiths John Underwood (Anth Hubbard 45 mins) Ben Barker Jack Helps (Dave Bramhall 75 mins)
Craig Grice (Alex Harte 70 mins) Rory Cunningham Luke McMahon Simon Sanderson
Josh Hubbard Sean Stevenson
Winteringham’s Man of the Match: Ben Barker
Venue: West Halton
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The next Match is at Crown Inn, Messingham next Sunday
All Change! Getting ready for the game are Anth Hubbard (standing at the back, body only!) with Ben Braker right at the back, John Underwood in front of Ben. Josh Hubbard is pulling up his socks, whilst Rory Cunningham is number 8, and Jack Helps number 4.
Jack Helps
Dave Bramhall demonstrates his skill to the crowd.
Dave Bramhall (15) and Sean Stevenson (9) wait for a cross to come over.
Dave again!
Luke McMahon, Simon Sanderson and Josh Hubbard in action.
Keen fans!
Ben Barker and Ben Griffiths
Craig Grice and Rory Cunningham look on as Josh Hubbard beats his man.
Craig Grice, Luke McMahon, Rory Cunningham and Jack Helps hold the line as the cameraman captures a “Spot the Ball” moment!
Josh Hubbard (17), Rory Cunningham, Simon Sanderson and Luke McMahon get in position for a goal kick.
The management, left to right Tony Simons, with Ian Brown and in the distance acting-referee’s asssitant Anth Hubbard.
Rory Cunningham races forward with the ball.
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