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Tuesday 7th September 2010
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Matches played Saturday 7th February 2009
Weather again holds the upper hand, but it can't stop two games!!
In compiling East Riding Amateur League match reports this season, the opening gambit seems to have centred around a weather forecast week after week as, almost without fail, several matches have been cancelled as a result of waterlogged, or just to be a little different this week, waterlogged and frozen pitches, and (again) only one game escaped on a grass surface, while the reliable all weather 3G pitch at Hull University was the saviour for AFC Hull.
Although the close proximity of Paull Wanderers’ pitch to the river can make playing conditions inhospitable, the advantage of the wetness from the pitch draining into the estuary does allow the pitch to be declared playable more often than not, and Paull’s game with Geoff Wednesday was duly given the go-ahead.
With both teams recently enjoying a minor points spurt, this contest between two teams in the lower echelons of Division 1 provided an opportunity for at least one of the sides to keep moving in the right direction.
The irony of the weather is that the damage is done during the week, and at game time on a Saturday, the playing conditions are quite pleasant, and this was the case at the foreshore despite the strong wind which was blowing from goal to goal.
Geoff Wednesday won the toss and elected to play with the wind advantage, but found that invariably the ball was over hit, and wind advantage proved to be more of a disadvantage!!
Paull opened the scoring after ten minutes with a stunning goal, his first for his new club, from right back Mark Rigione whose shot from 25 yards flew into the top corner of the net.
With Paull dominating at this stage, they ought to have added to their tally, but ten minutes later Wednesday won a free kick just outside the area when Paull’s Darren Dennison handled and Adam Grimmier’s free kick hit defender Karl Smith in the assembled Paull wall, and deflected into the net past keeper Liam Smith.
Paull did not let the setback unsettle them and regained the lead before half time when keeper Liam Smith cleared the ball long downfield to Tommy Donnelly and he hit a shoot that was well parried by Wednesday custodian John Hawkes but fell to the feet of mid-fielder James Sexton who tapped the ball into the net.
In the second half, Wednesday appeared to have a greater determination about them and their play into the wind was more controlled, but although looking the better side, were unable to score until Richard Hook finally achieved the breakthrough.
With eight minutes remaining newish signing Danny Garside again proved his worth putting Wednesday in front, after which Paull battered the Wednesday goal but to no avail, leaving Paull still outside the top half of the table, while Wednesday continued to close the points gap which had opened above them.
The game at the University, with a mid-day kick off was a top versus bottom affair, and began in drab conditions of dark cloud and snow which prompted the use of the floodlights.
AFC Hull were probably looking to restore pride after dropping points in a draw with Geoff Wednesday the previous week, and began strongly utilising their neat passing game and created a number of good opportunities – fit again full back Damon Brooks having a goal disallowed on 11 minutes and Scott Buckley seeing his goal bound effort headed off the line after 22 minutes.
It was backs to the walls defending by Duke of Wellington, but they defended well and with great determination in the opening quarter despite constant pressure.
The deadlock was finally broken on 26 minutes when winger Scott Buckley lofted a great pass through to striker Tony Tummon who controlled the ball well to slot calmly past keeper John Paddison to open the scoring.
Although Duke were trying to play constructive football, they were up against a team who have played together for several years and a lot of their play is instinctive, and a scoring procession began a few minutes later when centre back Rio Buckley sent pass though to striker Sam Nicholson who ran onto the ball and shot low past the keeper.
On the half hour mark AFC Hull midfielder Dale Carty, on the edge of the box, slid a weighted pass through to striker Tummon who slotted past the keeper from eight yards out.
The scoring eased for a 10 minute spell, and Duke were looking to the interval for respite, but AFC Hull struck again with neat build up play and a dangerous pass into the box by Nicholson was met by Dale Carty from just yards out to make it four.
There was no let up from AFC Hull, who had the Duke of Wellington on the ropes, as they poured forward seeking another score before half time, and this was achieved when a Damon Brooks’ cross was whipped onto the head of Rio Buckley who left the keeper no chance with a powerful header from close range.
Half time saw some changes in the AFC Hull line up with wingers Chris and Scott Buckley being replaced by Mark Friston and Alex Albrow, the latter making his debut.
The second half saw the snow stop and the sun come out, but the weather was the only thing that changed as AFC Hull still dominated and on 52 minutes a huge throw from right winger Albrow was met by the head of Mark Friston on the edge of the six yard box and his deft flick sent the ball past the keeper and into the net.
Two minutes later Albrow was again the creator with a cross to Dale Carty who volleyed home, as the goal trail continued.
Despite being given the run around the Duke of Wellington continued to try to play constructive football and were reasonably effective going forward, but found wanting in defence, but still contested the game fairly.
Mark Friston grabbed his second of the game when he jinked through the defence to finish from close range on the hour, and five minutes later was again on the scene twisting and turning through the defence to the bye-line and then provided a perfect cut back to the on rushing Dale Carty who unleashed an unstoppable low drive that skimmed through the crowded defence and into the net.
A bemused Duke defence was again put to the sword by Friston moments later and he deceived the visitors when he played a corner short to Dale Carty on the edge of the box and Carty placed a powerful shot precisely into the top corner.
AFC Hull were given the opportunity to add further to their tally when a harsh penalty was awarded in their favour, a decision which caused considerable resentment. AFC Hull goalkeeper Craig Lindley was nominated to take the spot kick but saw his shot saved well by his opposite number diving to his right.
With points ‘in the bag’ AFC Hull are clear favourites to win the division, but with home games almost complete, their concluding fixtures may be drawn out if the weather does not improve – hopefully quickly.
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24th April 2010
17th April 2010
10th April 2010
3rd April 2010
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