Saturday, February 7, 2009

Frustration as L'Orange scrape through!

League Knock-Out Cup 07-02-09

Pot Black F.C- 2

Pakefield Re-United- 0

Match Overview- This was the first time that these two summer sparring partners had ever came face to face in competition, and the home side were clearly favourites based on their league standings and the fact that Re-United were robbed of several regulars for one reason or another, furthering Pot Blacks confidence.

Pot Black manager Danny McKinley, despite rotating his squad again demanded a good performance after two below average displays in recent weeks, but even with his pre-match battle cry being well received, the desired outcome failed to materialise, as L'Oranges spluttering football did little to light up the pitch let alone the imaginations of those on the side lines.

Pakefield's excellent blend of youth and experience started very well as at times the men in claret left their opponents looking rather silly as their breaks down the wings caught the home side cold. Although P.B thought they had dealt United an early blow when the linesman who took his eyes off play, missing, the keeper spilling a Rob Cooper header into the net before kicking it up field, leaving an unsure Referee the only option but to continue play despite a baffled Pot Black side venting their frustrations.

Max Wall was back in the starting line up after the disappointment of his early injury versus Kirkley, and looked keen to continue his good form with a couple of strong runs finishing by screwing his shots just wide. Although Pakefield would have entered half time the happier side after two close calls for the home side from corners were dealt with by P.B's number 1 Kev Sherwood.

The second half started much as the first finished, with hard work just about covering for the lack of creativity and craft on display. Scotty 'Too Hotty' Reynolds and Rob Cooper were soon replaced (as some days nothing go's your way), by Adam Bird and for the sake of his image rights and his witness protection scheme, a player we may have to call for the rest of the season... Estaban Juan Carlos Mendoza the 3rd.

Still lacking any real rhythm and the visitors starting to tire due to their lack of substitutes, Pot Black began to dominate the possession with the play slowing down and the number of touches decreasing, as one of P.B's few polished looking moves came together as Vinny Terry's quick feet in the box left him the task of firing under the big United keeper, which he did for the second match in succession, as he yet again lapped up the adulation and relief of his team mates.

With only a few minutes left on the clock, with the division 2 side going for broke, a quick throw from Kev Sherwood, found Estaban Juan Carlos Mendosa the 3rd who placed the ball perfectly in front of Adam Bird who shrugged off a heavy challenge from the keeper to slot the ball home.

All in all, we should be pleased with a place in the next round, even though we know we have much room for improvement, but nothing should be taken away from our opponents, who even with a scratch side did not bottle it, worked hard, threatened, and with a few more players could of easily embarrassed us, I just hope they are not too despondent at the result, and wish our friends well for the remainder of the season.

Goal Scorers- Vinny Terry & Adam Bird

G.H Windows & Doors M.O.M- Paul Taylor, with the ground very heavy in the middle of the pitch and the ball in there most of the match his work and effort proved pivitol.