|
Saturday 9th. February 2008 Borrowash Victoria Res. V Long Eaton United Res. |
|
|
|
Team Long Eaton:
Daniel Graves, Callum Richards, Alex Hooley, Daniel Kilbourne, Jim Hewson {Capt.}, David Wilkinson, Kimany Gregoire, Tom Widdowson, Joe Steed, Colin Dewhurst & Tom Booth
Subs:
Mark Smith, Leon Jenas & Jason Hallam
This local derby was played in near perfect weather. The pitch had a covering of grass, but this just disguised a rutted and bobbley surface which both teams would struggle to master.
Things started poorly for the Blues keeper Graves, whose jersey of choice was a beautiful canary yellow. As the 2 teams were entering the field of battle, it was pointed out to Gravesy that the home team had changed their strip from red to yellow and therefore he was required to change his top. This had poor Gravesy incandescent with rage. Fortunately a major hissy fit was averted when the Blues stopper reluctantly poured his slender frame into his “Tangerine Dream” outfit.
The game got off to a blistering start with the action flowing from one end to the other. Gradually the Blues got on top and after 15 minutes young Tom Booth, drafted in from the Academy to try to improve the Resses goals for column, put sufficient pressure on the Vic’s Centre Half, who could only place his header in the direction of Steed. Steed stormed into the home side’s area and was duly tripped from behind. The Referee immediately awarded a spot kick, which Kimany Gregoire slammed past the Borrowash Keeper.
After taking a deserved lead, the Blues started passing the ball with great flair and when Wilkinson threaded a perfectly waited through ball to Booth, the home defence could not match his pace as he left them all in his wake before coolly slotting home from the edge of the box..
The Blue’s dominance brought about a change in emphasis from the home team. When Steed was a recipient of an off the ball kick by a Borrowash defender, referee Pashley issued his first yellow card {should have been red}. Then Gregoire was the victim of a late 2 footed challenge. To everyone’s amazement the perpetrator escaped with no punishment, Borrowash pulled a goal back just before the interval.
Half-time 1 V 2
The second half saw Borrowash pushing for the equaliser but all of their good build up play was ended by the impressive defence lead by Blue’s Captain Hewson with Daniel Kilbourne at his side { another academy star}. On the hour mark the fearless Hewson had to leave the game due to a nasty looking cut, which required 5 stitches.
Man of the Match Tom Widdowson who was formidable in midfield, deputised for Hewson in the defence and was outstanding. Hooley was switched from left back into Widdowson’s midfield position and he nearly increased Long Eaton’s lead. He burst onto substitute Smith’s excellent pass, ran half the length of the pitch only to shoot at the Borrowash keeper’s legs. The rebound went to Leon Jenas, on for Booth, but he could only fire tamely back to the keeper. Regrettably Gregoire had to be withdrawn his replacement Hallam worked tirelessly and threw his body at any attempts on the Long Eaton goal
Final score 1 V 2
Blues manager Leigh Booth was full of praise for his side’s performance and discipline. Despite loosing several key players to first team call ups and injury. “We played some good football on a terrible surface. We were able to try some of the academy lads and they all did excellent jobs. I am looking forward to giving some more a chance as the season progresses.”
|
News 
