Saturday 23 December 2006

Grampound 2-1 Probus

(Duchy League Division 3)
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A taut atmosphere in this most intense of local derbies did not allow a free-flowing game and, with a number of regulars missing, Grampound struggled to impose their passing game on the visitors. Probus defended well, closing down quickly when Grampound threatened and showing that they could threaten themselves, with Jamie Trudgeon hitting the outside of the post with a long range effort and being their best player in the first half. At the other end, Grampound squandered several good crossing opportunities and although they pushed the Probus defence hard, were unable to make a clear chance. Goalkeeper Paddock saved well, diving low to his left to keep out a curving free kick from Grampound's Ryan Maker, but there were few other opportunities, with Probus intent on denying space to the hosts in midfield in open play. Grampound defender Webb and Heywood of Probus battled hard against each other and finished the half with honours shared, but it was clear that Heywood needed more support to make an impact, with Grampound's defence being fairly comfortable for most of the half.

Grampound started the second half in determined mood, epitomised by defender and Grampound man-of the-match Matt Fletcher, and the opening goal came within ten minutes of the re-start. A period of pressure around the Probus penalty area resulted in a half clearance falling to Paul Trethewey, having a storming game on his Grampound debut, and from eighteen yards he hit a crisp first-time shot into the top corner beyond goalkeeper Paddock's left hand. For the next fifteen minutes Grampound were completely on top, playing some neat football and dominating the game. Glyn Ford had a good shot headed off the line and Trethewey's first-timer from 25 yards was denied by an outstretched foot when destined for the bottom corner. Probus were just managing to hold on at this stage, but got themselves back into the game on 75 minutes when Grampound's midfield went to sleep. Heywood flicked the ball past Leaney and hit the ball into the far corner from fifteen yards for an excellent goal. After these two superb strikes, the game looked like petering out into a draw when in the last minute Grampound substitute Ross Turton, in his first appearance in a first team shirt, beat his defender and slotted a perfect pass to Shane Weeks. The striker, who has been prolific in recent matches but was having a quiet match, outpaced the Probus defence and was the coolest person in the ground as he planted the ball past the Probus keeper to give the home team all three points and maintained a jubilant Grampound's promotion ambitions.

Squad

Ford T
Webb J
Leaney
Fletcher
Dunn D
Moseley (sub Turton, 80)
Maker
Trethewy
Dunn G
Weeks
Ford G

Goals

Trethewy (55), Weeks (89)

Man of the Match

Matt Fletcher

Yellow Cards

Dean Dunn

Red Cards

Nonen of the Match Yellow Cards Red Cards