Match Report

League, 24^th February 2008

Final Result – Civil Service FC 3 (Home) vs. FC Brimington 5 (Away)

Venue – Sheffield Civil Service, Green Lane, Ecclesfield, Sheffield.

Managers View

The weather was mild today dry with no wind to contend with. The ground was soft underneath but flat and rolled, the pitch was one of the largest we have played on apart from bulls head. This game was an extremely important one as we saw it as a marker in our quest to be champions. Civil Service being at the top of the league most of the season and not beaten at home in the league was to prove our sternest test to date. Civil Service rightly are the team to beat to win the league with them losing only one game so far in this league campaign and conceding only 15 goals all season showed the task  my young side was to face today.

We are a talented squad with match winners in all positions and a deep desire to achieve something in our first season we knew the task we had when we went out of the county cup in the last 16 a game we started off badly but finished strongly but ran out of time, A game we should have won. The disappointment of the cup competition exit in the last 16 in both cups has given the whole squad a determination to succeed in the league. Civil Service was without their prolific goalscorer who had his leg broken a few weeks ago. The league chairman Keith Firminger came along to watch the game today but ended up refereeing the game due to the non appearance of the allocated referee. Team formation today 4-3-3

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

Match day reporters – Tom Simpson & James Towers

Photographers – Lawrence Wragg

First Half

The game kicked off at 11am. Civil Service went straight on the attack and shot wide,  Gartlan the FCB captain runs through but is forced out of play for a corner which Collier takes but nothing  comes of the corner. There is not much between the two teams the game ebbing and flowing with service showing why they are the leaders of the division. FCB are not on their usual game this is maybe due to the magnitude of the game and the opponents not allowing us to dominate the possession.

15 mins Service plays a long ball into FCB half near the 18yd box Cosgrove goes to clear but scuffs the shot and the ball falls to the Service forward Leversidge recognizes the danger and tracks the Service forward and makes the challenge and puts the ball out for a corner. Service takes the corner and a sweet ball is delivered near post the service forward Hall comes across the FCB defence and heads powerfully into the top corner of the nearpost 1-0 Service.

FCB stunned by that goal regroup and step up their game FCB start to get a foothold in the middle of the park and start to have more possession the team realizes that this game cannot go against us or the title may be out of reach. A substitution is made when Kealey of FCB seems to suffer from light headedness after he ran into the Service defender some 3 minutes earlier, Taylor comes on in his place. After 25mins Brooke receives the ball on the right wing and progresses before passing to Christie in the Service 18yd box some 14yds out but Christie slips and goes to ground but he somehow gets his head to the ball and flicks it on to Gartlan who is running in and Gartlan coolly takes the ball and shoots past the Service keeper who is surprised by the speed of the attack and the determination of Christie in recovering the situation. 1-1 FCB.

Brooke playing right back again runs up the right wing and attempts what can only have been a cross to Christie but it ends up as an attempt of the Service goal some 40 yds out but his shot sails over the bar. 43mins and Bath has shot on the Service goal goes wide.

Another Brooke attempt on the Service goals goes wide, Brooke is playing magnificently.  A great bit of skill by Crossland in the middle of the park delivering a fantastic ball to Christie in the service box the pass was that precise that it split the Service defence and Christie shoots on goal the Service keeper parries the shot to his left but only to Taylor of FCB who is following in, Taylor makes no mistake and drills the ball home to put FCB in front 1-2 FCB this goal came two minutes from the end of the first half and gave the team a massive lift at the interval.

Half time score 1-2 FCB

The team talk focused on the tempo of the game which was not at our usual pace and the importance of keeping the ball and playing it wide with the two wide strikers. We spoke about reducing the set pieces we were conceding and keeping it tight and scoring the first goal in the 2^nd half.

Second Half

The game resumes at 11.57 am, FCB get straight into the tempo I promised the team that the drinks were on me if we won today and this seemed to be the catalyst that propelled action.54mins FCB free-kick is taken by Collier. A run on the right side of the Service defence by Taylor is unchallenged and Taylor plays a great curling ball across the box which Gartlan duly capitalize on and finishes goaal 1-3 FCB, the important goal in our eyes.

Just 5 mins later another Taylor run down the right is not dealt with by Service and the cross is not met by any FCB player. A Taylor run down the right again and another superb delivery into the service box is met by Christie who goes for the nearpost with his shot but is only just wide of the post. Christie, Gartlan and Taylor have created Service a problem with their movement up front. Crossland who has been superb today calculating all his movements and passes and the ratio of pass quality is back in his game this week. Crossland makes a run through the middle of the park evading two challenges and unleashes a powerful shot that is deflected wide.

A Service free-kick is awarded on the edge of the 18 yd box Newton organises his wall with great authority Service opt to go over the wall on Newtons blind side with the free-kick the strike is good and it seemed destined to be a goal but somehow Newton got across and just tips it over the bar a fantastic save worthy of an England call up. An FCB attack seemed to be thwarted by service but the clearance is poor and the ball goes to Brooke on the right side of the attack Brooke plays the ball down the line to Bath who came across the box, Bath then delivers a fantastic low drilled cross which evades the Service defence and Christie runs on to the cross and drills home from 5yds out goaaal. 1-4 fcb.

FCB then continue to press seeing attack as the best form of defence. A great pass by Collier is gathered by christie in the service box Christie tries to go round the keeper but is fouled a penalty is awarded Gartlan steps up to take the penalty and dispatches with confidence in the top corner 1-5 FCB.

80 mins two substitutions are made with Gartlan and Leversidge making way for Wragg and Tom Simpson. Simpson goes to left back and Wragg to attack wide striker. Gartlan had received a knock in his face and his nose was bleeding and needed attention. A Service cross into our box is left by our defence as the service player is deemed offside by our defence but it is not the case and the ball is drilled into the top right hand corner 2-5 Service.  

FCB are too relaxed and are loosing the ball to Service who have found some impetus and are forcing the game. Service possession on the left from 30 yds out is not dealt with and the ball is delivered into the FCB box with 3 FCB defenders and one service striker the cross should have been cleared but Simmo steps in front of his man and the ball is brought down and coolly finished 3-5 service.

FCB realizes that they cannot concede any more goals and regrouped, the game is seen out at 3-5 to FCB

Full time

Summary

The whole team displayed a real desire today every player did well, the man of the match was Andy Crossland for his commanding display in the centre of the park. Special mention to James Towers who did not get a game today but he showed the commitment that this squad is all about. A mention to the big man Elliott Christie who may be should have had a couple of goals more today himself but when he is not scoring as many he is assisting as you can see with his stats. Christie is a handful for any defence and if we can perfect his finishing then he can double his already impressive 25 goals in 21 games. It’s a hatrick from Elliott this week. A Gartlan hatrick gives him is 3^rd hatrick of the month that’s 11 goals in 4 games.

Thanks to all the fans who travelled to watch us and a special mention to Ben Leversidge’ dad who came along after being seriously ill recently. Thanks to Phil and Isabelle at the Brickmakers arms for the great support they lend the team with the after match food.

Who dares loose!

Cliff Thomas