MATCH REPORT 17/09/16 Earls Barton vs Corby Pegasus – W 3-2
Despite winning our last match we had a well needed 3 week break. Players returned from injury and it gave us a chance to strengthen with a couple of new signings.
A new looking back 5 saw a 1st start for Bussy in goal and Simon and Peter keep their places at full backs after impressing from the bench the game before. Other than that a pretty familiar look with 2 new signings on the bench.
A very open start to the game and a good indication there would be goals in this game. Pegasus hit 1st, a rush of blood from Bussy early on gave Pegasus the lead after they rounded the keeper. Simon at full back was hitting some great angled long balls which the opposition couldn’t deal with. Dayne and Speighty were winning everything and not giving them a moments rest. Dayne hit back with a great take and leaving the defender for dead and drilling home into the far bottom corner. Similar to a chance he had moments before but the keeper saved. Opportunities for both teams were squandered as the game remained open. Barton took the lead just before the break when Speighty smashed home on the bounce. We are most definitely taking full advantage of Speighty not getting much playing time with the doughboys. 2-1 at HT.
I wanted more at the interval. Its always nice to score lots of goals but its not nice conceding so we had to fix up and get tighter. We was the better team and deservedly led but we all know how things can change.
The lads rose to the challenge and it was defensively a lot better, as were they. Bussy made some great saves to keep us up and Dayne continued to threaten at the other end.
Changes were then made(Dayne volunteering to come off – shocking) and the subs came on with a purpose. I felt we grew more and more and looked likely to go further ahead. A dazzling mazey run from Tony saw him round the keeper only to be taken down. Penalty. With no taker specifically picked for the season Kris Hall took the responsibility. Im now starting to wonder if Gareth Southgate was his idol. Penalty saved still 2-1. Minutes later Kris almost made amends when he took on the last defender and saw his effort trickle past the post.
As we have done in previous games we then got nervous. Last 15/10 minutes saw us sit back and i knew exactly what was coming. If you give them enough chances 1 will eventually go in… and it did. With 8mins left on the clock a half hearted clearance fell to their forward who smashed it into the roof of the net. 2-2 and to make matters worse Peter and Laurence both pull up making us finish the last of the game with 9men.
Id have been grateful for the point at this stage but Wardy had other ideas. He demanded the ball from Conor from 30 yards and hit it. From the moment it left his boot i knew it was in. What a beauty. We saw the last minute out won 3-2. A great way to win and was quality character from the lads to get back so late on despite having 9 men.
Team – Bussy, Simon, Peter, Laurence, Browny, Tony, Nicky, Wardy, Randall, Dayne, Speighty.
subs: Conor, Kris
Goals: Dayne, Speighty, Wardy
Man of the match: Bussy