Tuesday 25 April 2006

Grampound 2-0 Probus

(Duchy League Divisional Cup)
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The opening exchanges in this close local derby were always going to be well-contested, but Grampound were surprised with the intensity of the Probus football and were fortunate to survive in the first 5 minutes when a 25 yard shot came back off the post. With its makeshift strikeforce, Grampound found it difficult to hold the ball up and wait for support, but Brunt battled gamely and created a few half-chances. The first half ended 0-0 but marginally in the favour of Probus. It was a little surprising that some intimidatory tactics were used when playing football seemed to be the visitors' most likely route to success. The Grampound back 3, though, remained resolute and did not allow Heywood and associates a look at goal.

Grampound started the first half in very determined mood and for the first ten minutes dominated play completely. Maker, finding space about 25 yards out from a throw, hit a crisp low shot which somehow eluded the Probus keeper and nestled into the corner of the net. An increasingly confident Grampound ignored further intimidation and now took the game to Probus and were well on top. On about 65 minutes, Probus seemed to commit suicide when stalwart Phil Webster, for no reason other than to intimidate or hurt his opponent, followed through very late with a leading elbow on Webb. Fortunately Webb was not seriously hurt, but Webster received a deserved straight red card. There is no place for such an approach in any level of football. A goal up and with Probus down to 10 men, Grampound seemed to relax a little and Probus were able to press although they rarely looked like opening up a very strong Grampound defence. Alex Brunt won two good headers in the Probus area, one going just over and one shaving a post, and his combatative presence gave Grampound the edge. Minutes from the end, Toms pressured a very rattled set of defenders at a long clearance. He was presented with the ball, rounded the Probus keeper and strolled the ball home to confirm Grampound's superiority on the night, although there was still time for Liam Paddock to collect a second Probus red card for abusing the referee.

Squad

1 Ford T
2 Webb J
3 Leaney
4 Harris
5 Weeks
6 Prall
7 Maker
8 Brooker, John
9 Dunn G
10 Brunt
11 Toms

Goals

Maker (55), Toms (85)

Man of the Match

Alex Brunt

Yellow Cards

Red Cards

Nonen of the Match Yellow Cards Red Cards