Match Report

League, 20^th April 2008

Final Result – FC Brimington 3 (Home) vs. Sheffield United Junior Blades Old Boys FC 2 (Away)

Venue – Boundary Social Club, Jordanthorpe, Sheffield.

Managers View

The weather was cold and damp with rain looking likely, the pitch was soft but rolled the day before to ensure the game went ahead. FCB used the top pitch today at the boundary ground which is bigger and suits our style. Victory today would guarantee promotion to division one in our first season as a club. We had our biggest and most vocal crowd today which was a nice surprise. Our opponents today SUJB was going to be a difficult team to beat we had played them on two previous occasions winning one 4-2 in the league cup October 2007 and we got defeated 4-3 in the league in December 2007. On both occasions we found SUJB to be a good footballing team with great sporting ethics. Team formation today 4-3-3

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

Match day reporter – Cliff Thomas

Photographer – James Gebbie

First Half

The game kicked off at 11.00 am. FCB soon started to see more of the ball after the early exchanges in the first 15 minutes with the early shots on the SUJB goal coming from Gartlan and Gordan. Blades created minimal opportunities in the early stages but had some joy in the middle of the park where the ground was soft which made it hard to keep your feet. Bath, Crossland and Collier took time to adapt to the boggy surface in the middle.

10 mins into the game the opening goal came when a free-kick was awarded to FCB for a foul on Bath in the corner near the edge of the blades 18yds box. Collier delivers a great ball near post some 10yds out and Crossland volleyed it home 1-0 FCB view it here.

Chances were spurned by Christie who followed up from a strike from 18yds by Bath which the blades keeper could only parry Christie went to head the ball but seemed caught in two minds he headed wide of the post but the ball remained in play he tried to recover and shoot but only into the side netting view it here. Further strikes by Gartlan and Gordan ensued with Crossland launching a blistering strike 19yds out from the moment it left his boot it was goal bound in the top left hand corner but the blades keeper was having none of it and launched himself in the air and got his fingers to it pushing it over the bar.

Leversidge and Brooke were both patrolling the wings and the wingback position extremely well and Towers and Simpson started to work well together. FCB continued to search for the 2^nd goal realizing Blades in the previous two games came back well after such a start. Gartlan, Christie and Gordan all missing opportunities to increase the lead. On one such occasion Gordan ran through into the box skipping past the Blades defence only to fall guilty to an excessive touch allowing the blades keeper to just get there before him. At no time did FCB feel in danger of conceding until Blades finally won their first corner after a long ball into the corner which came off an FCB player. The corner was delivered into the box hard and low eluding all FCB players but finding a Blades player who duly tapped in 1-1 SUJB.

FCB dismayed by this as it was against the run of play stabilized after a few minutes and set about trying to regain the lead this did not happen and half time came. The score remains 1-1 at half time.

Second Half

The pace of the game needed to be increased to stretch blades, we have trained well over the season and knew we could go up a gear. FCB did just that getting at blades early in the 2^nd half, we took control of the game pressing Blades at any opportunity switching play and keeping possession Gartlan received the ball some 40yds out and accelerated down the right leaving a trail of players behind he turned the last player in the box and shot over the bar if only he realized he had more time.

More chances followed with Crossland blazing just past the post from 23yds Christie heading straight at the keeper some 14yds out from a Gordan cross from the left. Brooke also had a great chance to put us in front when a Crossfield pass from Collier who was back to his best today found Brooke sneaking in on the right Brookes first touch took him past the Blades defender and heading towards goal but he stubbed his foot into the ground when he shot and the ball hit the side netting. FCB were getting tense as we had not got the goal to put us in front after all the possession but the chance came when Bath ran into the Blades box but was overrun, and the Blades defender made a tackle Bath was loosing his footing but manage to pass the ball to Christie who spun and played Gartlan in Gartlan skipped past a defender and paced the ball in the bottom right corner goal 2-1 FCB view it here.

We knew a one goal lead would be not enough and continued to put blades under pressure Gordan was instrumental with his tenacious display linking up well with Leversidge and Collier on many occasions, Gordan played the free role which is the first time we have done this as a team he roamed all over making it hard to mark him.

FCB now are on their game running Blades all over, Gartlan is substituted when he has a coughing bout and Fadiga comes on with 20 mins to go. A few minutes later another substitution Bath off and Maloney came on and we reshaped the team Christie went into midfield Maloney, Gordan, Fadiga went up front other chances followed Christie chipped the ball over the Blades defence to Gordan who was being challenged by the keeper and a defender he manage to get his foot to the ball before the keeper got there he chipped the ball over it was going over the line when a blades defender got back and scooped it off the line and away to safety view it here. Another Gordan run on the left eluding the Blades defence into the box but his shot is saved by the impressive blades keeper view it here.

The 3^rd goal came when a rare Blades attack was snuffed out and Newton the keeper quickly played the ball out to Gordan who ran the ball out towards the half way line, Crossland appealed for Gordan to pass to him on the inside but Gordan had other thoughts he saw Christie free some 30yds out. He passed 30yds to Christie who instinctively knew Gartlan was off to his right shoulder and headed the ball over the top into Gartlans path, Gartlan accelerated past all Blades defenders and drilled the ball home hard and low in the bottom right corner to make it 3-1 to FCB view it here.

Maloney gets put free on the right he normally shoots but elected to play Gordan in but the ball is taken off his feet by a blades defender. Fadiga always gets a chance and he did not disappoint Collier put him through on the left Fadiga accelerated in the box drawing the Blades keeper off his line Fadiga skips past the keeper leaving him stranded on the near the 18yd line he had just two defenders to deal with one defender proceeded to the goal line the other went to block Fadigas shot. With Gordan free on his right Fadiga elected to try and curl it round the defender this was the wrong option and he put the ball past the right hand post Fadiga immediately slumped to the ground in disgust with himself Gordan turned away with flailing arms in the air view it here. 

Blades were not buried yet and with 4 mins left earned themselves a rare corner which should have been a goal kick as a Blades player kicked it out but with referee unsighted the decision went against FCB and yet again poor marking allowed blades to score 3-2 FCB. With a minute left blades earn themselves another corner and the Blades keeper joined in on this one but thankfully the cross was deep and eluded all.

Final whistle went immediately afterwards. Full time 3-2 FC Brimington.

Summary

FCB are now promoted in their first season as a club and  with results going our way on the day are also confirmed runners up to the champions Civil Service with a game left to play this young team will achieve their ultimate aims of winning a title but for now our growth is underway every member of the squad today did brilliant. Collier and Crossland were back today with great performances Gartlan and Christie telepathy is further underlined. Simpson and Towers work well together. Leversidge and Brooke looked impressive as attacking defenders,  Newtons kicking is so much better. Maloney who plays also for Miners FC in the Chesterfield league has been fantastic over the last two games he as come on and fitted in well in midfield.

Man of the match Gordan who was everywhere today linking play making attempts on goal and defending a goal would have capped a tremendous performance. We need to defend corners a lot better for future improvements. Kealey was present today and it was fitting he witness the team being promoted, Taylor came for the first time in many weeks since his knee injury we can't wait until he's back in preseason. The fans who turned out in force were a credit to the team we salute them all it would be great to see the fan base increase.

Phil and Isabelle at the Brickmakers Arms who have supported the team since we formed in march 2007 they have been an inspiration, they gave the team its base in Brimington of which we are immensely proud of. They provide food for the battle wary troops on match day, its our spiritual home. We are proud to bring the first of many trophies and awards back to the pub for display.

Cliff Thomas