Match Report

League, 17^th February 2008

Final Result – FC Brimington 2 (Home) vs. Anston Athletic FC 1 (Away)

Venue – Boundary Social Club, Jordanthorpe, Sheffield.

Managers View

The weather was sunny but cold with frost on the ground. There was little wind and the ground was solid in most parts. We walked the pitch and immediately contacted the referee for an inspection of the pitch. After much deliberation the match was allowed to go ahead. Both teams warmed up on the pitch to try and soften it before kickoff. We had been speaking all week about this game and how it was going to be different to the last game against Anston a week ago. Even more important was the condition of the pitch as this would not help our game. Team formation today 4-3-3

The starting line for today's match was as follows:  

Match day reporters – Tom Simpson, Miss. Kealey

Photographers – Sean Gardner, Sam Taylor, James Towers

First Half

The game kicked off at 11.10am and FCB managed to fall straight into their rhythm with Andrew Bath shooting at the Anston goal after 5mins which their keeper saved. After 7 minutes Matt Collier’s corner was headed wide by Ben Leversidge. Three minutes later, Simpson played Tom Brooke in on the wing that chose to cross it first time but missed.

After 11 minutes, Bathy chose to shoot from 10yds out, but unfortunately the shot went wide. FCB were in control of the game at this point. With Anston stuck in their own half the surface was rock hard so it was hard for the players to get a grip. After 15 minutes Elliott Christie played Kealey who was deemed offside. Four minutes later, Bathy shot from the edge of the box but the Anston defender headed it away to safety. In the 23^rd minutes, Collier decided to strike from 40yds out but the keeper managed to save it.

25 minutes in, and a rare Anston venture outside of their own half gained them a corner. The ball was delivered into the FCB box and was missed by all except Gabbitas of Anston who was on the edge of the box. He struck it hard and low using the solid surface. With Simon Newton, the FCB keeper, unsighted by the number of bodies in the area, Gabbitas’ shot beat Newton and he scored.

0-1 Anston – FCB

FCB were stunned and annoyed with conceding the goal, and so set about recovering straight away, but Anston knew we were the better football team and placed everyone behind the ball. In the 30^th minute, a corner to FCB was awarded which Collier takes but we shot wide. Another wide shot came in the 34^th minute from a free kick taken by Dave Simpson

A promising run in the 39^th minute by Leversidge on the left resulted in the ball being played to him in the box where he tried to chip the oncoming keeper under a severe challenge. Unfortunately he hit the bar where Christie tried to react with an acrobatic overhead kick which went over the bar view it here. Brooke burst into the box in the 40^th minute and received the pass but shot wide view it here. Six minutes later, Collier took a corner which was delivered to Christie in the box and promptly headed over the bar.

That was to be the last action of the half and the score remain 0-1 FCB – Anston. We spoke about the overplay during halftime, and how what we needed was quicker more decisive play because of the pitch condition.

Second Half

2^nd half

One minute into the second half, Crossland crossed into the Anston box and Christie headed the ball over the bar view it here. FCB continued the pressure and Anston parked the bus in font of the goal leaving everyone behind the ball. A wide shot came from Gartlan in the 50^th and another miss from Bathy came in the 59^th which sailed over the bar which was joined 4 minutes later by a shot from Chris Kealey.

FCB were in total control, moving the ball from flank to flank probing and looking for a way in behind the defence. The Anston keeper was measuring up to all FCB’s shots on his goal. Time was ticking away but Anston were resolute and defending well. Our best opportunity came in the 68^th minute, where Bathy received the ball in the box some 13yds out. With the Anston keeper fast approaching, Bathy agonisingly shot just wide of the post.

Our first substitution came in the 76^th minute sending Crossland and Kealey off and bringing Sam Taylor and James Towers on Taylor was pulled immediately into action out wide right, delivering a low cross into the Anston box with Christie latching onto the cross and scuffing the shot wide past the post view it here. Another FCB corner taken by Collier was delivered to the near post to the waiting Taylor who got in front and headed it out wide.

A golden moment came in the 78^th minute sending FCB attacking on the right wing. Gartlan overlapped to receive the ball and tried to deliver the cross into the Anston box. It took a deflection and looped up where Gartlan continued his run and Bathy headed down towards goal but it back dropped to Gartlan who drilled it home view it here.

1-1 FCB – Anston

78 minutes into the match, and the third substitution took Brooke off and Tom Simpson on at right back. Minutes later, straight from the restart, FCB attacked and Christie picked up the ball. After a run past three Anston players on the left from 35yds out, Christie entered the box where the Anston keeper approached him quickly. Christie shot across the keeper but hit the post view it here. Six minutes later, sensing the team could still get the 3 points, FCB were forcing the game and Anston had no reply. FCB was awarded a free kick which Collier delivered into the box and Christie met but headed high.

With two minutes plus stoppages left, Christie trooped up the left side and entered the box. He attempted to cross and the shot took a deflection to Bathy who nodded it down. Taylor took just one touch some 14yds out and shot hard and low across the keeper. The shot hit the post and went in.

2-1 FCB – Anston

The celebrations were fantastic. Even the keeper raced off the line to join in. With 1 minute left, FCB saw out the game and duly took the 3 points.

Summary

The team deserved this as the game was as one sided has it gets but it highlights that possession alone and controlling the match does not guarantee 3 points but scoring goals when you create many chance does. The team showed character and an urgency to win this game and could yet be the game we reflect on at the end of the season in our quest to be champions. Michael Gartlan was voted man of the match for a captain’s performance which showed leadership when needed. Simon, albeit with little to do, pulled off an impressive save.

Every player did their bit to this win in conditions that did not suit our technical players. Special mention to Sam Taylor who has been out twice this year for long periods both times. A victim of challenges that went unpunished Taylor has not played since the 4^th November 2007 and this was his comeback game so to score his first goal for the club in competition at the time he did showed his quality and his desire to be part of this squad.

Well done to everyone

Thanks to all supporters and the Brickmakers’ Arms for the very warm welcome and after match food.

Cliff Thomas