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Winteringham v Pepperells
Winteringham 1 - 5 Pepperells
(Half-time 0 - 1)
Scunthorpe Sunday League Division 1
by Anthony Hubbard
After the previous weekend's bad weather it must have been a relief to Winteringham Manager Tony Simons when he awoke to bright sunshine on Sunday morning. Unfortunately that’s where the good fortune ended, the weather may have been on Winteringham's side but everything else seemed set to go against them. Instead of being able to go through his usual pre-match routine Tony spent the majority of the morning on the phone to players. Due to illness or injury four players who were named in the squad called on the morning of the game to say they weren’t fit to play, also to make matters worse new striker Allan Ingledew had been called into work so he too was unable to play. This was very unfortunate and considering Matty Durnian and Lee Markham both who are ‘chomping at the bit’ to get back playing, are both still struggling to recover from serious injuries.
This unforeseeable situation left the management team with some tough decisions to make, to either call on some reserve teams players, who also had a game scheduled for the same time, or ring round to try to acquire some new players. Tony chose the latter option and called Craig Lindsey and Mark Grimbleby, both players had expressed an interest in signing for Winteringham next season, but it seemed their debuts would come sooner than they thought.
Come kick off time Winteringham had managed to put a squad of twelve players together. Despite not getting off to the best of starts Winteringham battled well during the first forty minutes, matching Pepperell’s tackle for tackle and refusing to let them bully them. Midway through the first half the bad luck continued when Dave Moulds got injured during a tackle and had to go off for lengthy treatment. This put Winteringham down to ten men for around ten minutes, but the management team had to get Dave fit to go back on if possible considering they were limited by only having one substitute. Moments after Dave got injured a very bad tackle on Robbie Parker led to him needing some treatment, Robbie was able to continue but the knock had taken away some of his sharpness.
Considering they were down to ten men for a period of the first half Winteringham still created some very good chances, the majority falling to sixteen year old Jack Cardy. He struck the post, forced the keeper into a very good save and can feel very hard done by not to have received a penalty when he was brought down in the box. The score was 1-0 to Pepperell’s come the half time whistle. The Winteringham players could feel proud of their first half performance as despite all the adversity they had held a team made up of ex-professionals and semi-pro’s for the majority of the first half and had limited them to a one goal lead.
The second half saw more of the same Winteringham battling hard but not getting the rub of the green. The Winteringham back four had another very good game and considering the average age is 17¾ they should take pride from their performance. Robbie Parker's injury in the first half caught up with him and he had to be substituted during the second half. As the game wore on and the Winteringham player’s energy reserves dwindled, Pepperell’s made their experience show. They just passed the ball around, never dwelling on it too long or trying to beat their opponent they just let the ball do all the work. Although at 3-0 debutant Craig Lindsey scored a very good goal, which gave the Winteringham players a lift and moments later they struck the post through Jack Cardy. If Jack's shot had gone in maybe things might have turned out different, but it wasn’t to be.
The final score was 5-1 to Pepperell’s, the score line wasn’t really a true reflection on the game, but when it mattered Pepperell’s used their experience and were clinical in front of goal. It is another lesson learned for the young Winteringham side, but this season was never going to be easy as the side were only put together last September and the majority of the players are still under 19. The players just need to learn from this season, stick together and come back stronger next season, its clear to see they have the potential they just need to believe in themselves and each other.
Dave Moulds got Man of Match for another fine performance in midfield; he has developed the ability to break up the opponents play very well. Dan Hubbard had another very good game at centre back, a mention must also go to Jack Cardy playing his second game of the day and still only 16 put in another good performance and can feel a little unlucky not to have scored. There are now four games remaining and with first division survival now assured, with Warren Lodge dropping out from the league. The Winteringham players have the opportunity to regain their belief in themselves and lay some foundations for next season, as all four games are more than winnable.
The next game is at home as against Barge Inn, 6th April at 3pm Low Burgage, Winteringham.
Winteringham
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Rick Watson
Liam Syron Dan Hubbard Carl Hull Adam Sparrow
Mark Grimbleby Dave Moulds Craig Lindsey Rob Watson
Robbie Parker Jack Cardy
Sub: Wally Grice (Robbie Paker)
MOTM: Dave Moulds
Venue: Low Burgage, Winteringham
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