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Sunday 5th September 2010
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Matches played Saturday 5th December 2009
Quaddy mark Manager Taylor's return with a hard earned win.
Heavy overnight rain cast a shadow over the Amateur League fixtures last weekend, and although several Parks pitches were declared to be waterlogged, few coincided with scheduled matches and, in view of the impending Christmas break, it was a relief that only three matches were lost.
The playing conditions at Hull University looked remarkably firm, and provided Quaddy Rangers’ manager Nigel Taylor, who was available again after being incapacitated for several weeks, with the opportunity retake control and restore confidence in his team which had ebbed away following a string of inconsistent performances in the Premier Division.
The sides response to their manager’s encouraging words was immediate, and a revitalised side produced a great passing game against Sutton Fields Rangers carving out multiple chances but they found the Rangers keeper Steve Smith in inspired form, and he was equal to every shot which came his way, as too, was Mark Foster in the Quaddy goal on the odd occasion he was tested in the first half.
A goalless half did not worry Quaddy, though they felt they deserved more, but the restart produced a very different game. Whether Quaddy felt they had to press further upfield to force home their earlier advantage, is unclear, but the played with a very high back four, and Sutton Fields were quick to spot attacking opportunities and defence splitting passes soon became the order of the day with speedy winger Lee Jones relishing clear runs on goal – much to the consternation of the defenders – but keeper Foster stepped up to the mark and bravely beat away numerous efforts until, eventually, Jones was able to make one count.
Sutton’s lead was short lived, as Quaddy continued to attack, while tightening defensively, and Simon Start’s well struck shot soon nestled in the net beating keeper Smith’s despairing dive.
A heavy collision between keeper Smith and Dave Bettney stopped the game for several minutes, before a throw in was put into the Rangers’ penalty area which Louis Nagi flicked on, and Bettney, doing a half backflip smashed the ball spectacularly into the top corner of the goal, finally giving Quaddy the lead after about an hour’s play.
Sutton Fields almost drew level shortly after this setback, but when faced with another one-on-one situation, keeper Foster got a finger to the ball to deflect it against the post and deny Sutton, arguably, a deserved equaliser.
The game remained on a knife-edge until the last minute when a cross into the Sutton box was called for by keeper Smith, but he inexplicably dropped the ball under pressure, and Mike Nagi, who had replaced brother Louis, was on the spot to turn the ball into the goal, and make the points safe, and Manager Taylor’s return a satisfactory one.
Pinefleet Wolfreton were soon dominating play against AFC West Hull on their visit to Pickering Park, but had to be wary as West Hull broke away on occasions, but failed to actually cause keeper Dean Brown any problems.
After 20 minutes a tackle in the middle of the park put Louis Clark through on goal and from an acute angle he finished well with his unfavoured left foot.
Further chances came and went as half time approached, and when Pinefleet won another corner, Dave Towers swung a great cross in and Callum Harrison, who was making his full debut, scrambled the ball home to make it 2-0.
The second half started pretty much even though Pinefleet’s spirit had seemingly stayed in the dressing room and West Hull created a couple of chances, but nothing too clear cut.
After these wake up calls, Pinefleet settled down again and played some really good football and after his introduction, Andy Pegden, who, along with Liam Stafford, Graham Waudby and Gareth Monkman, had been omitted from the starting line up due to an internal disciplinary matter, set up the chance for Callum Harrison to score his second and Pinefleet’s third goal.
The introduction of Graham Waudby appeared to be an inspired move by manager Glenn Holmes, as his first touch saw him race clear of the defence and slide the ball past the keeper - something he appeared unable to do in the midweek training sessions - so practice maybe does make perfect!!
Pinefleet still pushed forward, but were unable to increase their tally and were made to pay as West Hull scored a very good, possibly offside, consolation goal with almost the last kick of the game. The result saw Pinefleet move clear of AFC West Hull by eight points and remain five points ahead of their nearest rivals, Quaddy Rangers.
The non-attendance of a referee at Oak Road for the game between Cavalier Wanderers and AFC Preston delayed the start of the game, which went ahead with a volunteer official from Cavalier.
Early exchanges on a slightly heavy pitch were good, with Preston playing the better football, and, following two disappointing weekends really had the bit between their teeth.
The end result was lacking, however, and rustiness showed and an uncharacteristic mistake at the back left Cavalier striker Dan Poppleton with time to pick his spot and he made no mistake.
Preston did not allow this setback to dampen their spirits and immediately hit back with a screamer - Craig Holiday returning to the team after a few weeks out due to work commitments, picked up a clearance from Cavalier keeper Mark Stanley on the half way line, and moved forward, and with the keeper struggling to get back in his goal, let fly from 40 yards and his shot sailed into the back of the net.
This buoyed Preston and the ever impressive Danny Shakesby who worked tirelessly up front, picked the ball up and glided past a couple of defenders before striking a shot from 20 yards into the top left corner leaving the keeper no chance. The score then remained unchanged to the break.
After a few words of encouragement, Preston came out for the second half looking to kick on, but were pegged back when a penalty was awarded against them, and Ian Richardson levelled the scores.
Preston continued to press but had to remain wary of Cavalier hitting them on the break, but good defending and excellent keeping once again from in-form keeper Rob Wilkinson, defused anything that Cavalier threw at them.
The game became a little fractious leading to a succession of free kicks. From one of the free kicks, Holiday rose well but saw his header tipped on to the bar, however, the quickest to react was Shakesby and he made the scores 3-2.
The game was getting a little nervy, until Shakesby rounded off the day with a absolute stunning hat-trick goal. Lee Wilson played Shakesby in, but his run took him to the corner flag. Undeterred, he looked up and saw keeper Stanley off his line, thereby striking an inch perfect shot over the keeper to make the final score 4-2.
Swiss Cottage and The Lair fought out a tough battle on the West Campus at Hull University with the honours eventually going to the home side. Swiss had the lead twice during the game but failed to contain a well-drilled Lair side that refused to give up.
Swiss took the lead on 15 minutes with a well-taken drive from striker Shaun Scotthorne, but The Lair responded and pressed hard on the Swiss defence and on the half hour equalised with a well taken header from a corner.
The Lair thought they had gone in front when another header from their second corner of the game found the net, but referee Simon Hunt ruled the ‘goal’ out for offside.
Swiss played some neat football down the right hand side and a shot from Clint Brant rebounded off the Lair keeper but returned to hit him on the shins, and roll into the net, giving Swiss the lead at the break.
The Lair came out determined to put pressure on the Swiss defence and they equalised on the hour with yet another well-taken header.
There were plenty of chances at both ends of the pitch with Swiss keeper John Scott pulling off some fine one-on-one saves to keep his team in the game.
Disaster struck for Swiss with five minutes remaining when The Lair broke down the right and a fine low shot from the Lair striker, for once, beat the Swiss keeper at the far post.
Swiss pushed forward for the remainder of the game, trying to salvage a point, but The Lair held on to take the points and revenge for an earlier cup reversal.
The Division 2 match between Okapi and Orchard Park United was completed in trying circumstances, also after going ahead without an appointed referee.
Okapi opened the scoring, amid claims for offside, but Orchard equalised, after Ryan Prescott was brought down on the edge of the box, and a penalty awarded. Prescott picked himself up to convert, but disagreement continued as to the exact position of where the foul occurred.
A change of referee followed, and the game settled and see-sawed. Orchard took the lead after good work by Gary Graham but this time Okapi drew level and the fiercely contested match continued to the break – which brought a few minutes respite.
Soon after the restart Okapi took the lead, but more good work by Orchard resulted in Graham scoring again.
With the scores again all square, the contest re-commenced, and Okapi regained the lead but when Graham was brought down in the box and a penalty awarded, further disputes arose, but were eventually calmed and Graham converted from the spot to tie the scores again.
Okapi continued complaining as the match resumed until regaining the lead, then, with time running out, a late attack by Orchard brought the reward of a goal for Dave Taylor and again the match was balanced at 5-5 - with very little time remaining.
Enough time however, for Okapi to be awarded a penalty, but Orchard keeper Matty Welham covered himself with glory with a magnificent point-saving block from the spot kick.
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Match Reports
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24th April 2010
17th April 2010
10th April 2010
3rd April 2010
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