Saturday 21 January 2006

Grampound 3-2 North Hill

(Duchy League Div 3)
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Grampound were missing several regulars through injury and suspension for this 'must-win' match against North Hill but welcomed new signing Alex Brunt. The home side started very brightly on the heavy surface but clear-cut chances were hard to come by. Grampound's game-plan was working well, wide players Dunn and Weeks getting plenty of possession and opportunities to cross. It was North Hill, though, who had the first clearcut opening but Tony Ford was quick to come out and block the shot. After 20 minutes North Hill did take the lead against the run of play. James Webb on the left touchline made his only real error of the afternoon when he allowed a North Hill player past him. The low cross was not dealt with properly and after a couple of fortunate ricochets the ball ended up in the back of the net. The next 20 minutes saw Grampound play their poorest for some weeks -- lots of effort but the game-plan seemed to have been forgotten. Eventually, they clawed themselves back into the match when a long Weeks free kick from wide on the right was met by Moseley. His goal-bound header was only parried by the keeper and Brunt was on hand to thump the ball home from close range for his first Gramound goal on his debut.

Getting back on terms just before half-time was important and Grampound began the second period with renewed confidence. Glyn Ford began to find more space and run at defenders and this gave Grampound more impetus. Again, though, North Hill managed to nick a goal against the run of play when a cross from their lively left-sided midfielder was headed goalwards. Ford made a good reflex save and Grampound looked to have survived the only North Hill attack of note of the half, only to see the ball roll agonisingly over the line from the resulting scramble when it should have been cleared. The visitors were now the team playing with confidence but Grampound's heads did not drop. Glyn Ford's long cross from the left was collected by Weeks. He moved past a static defence to slam the ball into the net from 8 yards with North Hill defenders looking at each other wondering how it happened. From then on, there looked to be only one winner. Grampound were threatening to overwhelm North Hill at times, but the deserved winner, when it came, had a bit of good fortune about it. Weeks was released down the right and his pull back was met by Allen 15 yards out. His shot was partly blocked by a desperate North Hill defender but found its way into the net and Grampound, ahead for the first time, were not now going to let it slip. In the final quarter of an hour Grampound adjusted their formation as the visitors threw an extra man up front and should have extended their lead on a number of occasions on the break, only to be denied by some very determined defenders, a couple of highly dubious offside flags (one where a defender was keeping forwards onside by at least 20 yards!) and a slight lack of composure on crosses and around the North Hill penalty area. Even though Grampound looked secure at the back the final whistle was still a relief to home ears and 3 very vital points had been deservedly won.

Squad

1 Ford T
2 Webb J
3 Leaney
4 Cooper
5 Weeks
6 Moseley
7 Allen
8 Brooker, John
9 Dunn G
10 Brunt
11 Ford G

Goals

Brunt (43), Weeks (60), Allen (70)

Man of the Match

James Webb

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