Saturday 20 January 2007

Grampound 2-2 Saltash Utd

(Duchy League Division 3)
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Grampound went into this promotion battle having not played for a month and the rustiness showed in the opening exchanges as Saltash were given the time and space to pass the ball around. Saltash went ahead after ten minutes when hesitation in Grampound's defence allowed Stuart Taylor to nip in and head home from close range. More uncharacteristic sloppiness presented Saltash with a chance to extend their lead a few minutes later but sound goalkeeping by Tony Ford kept them out and from that point Grampound began to impose themselves on the match. It was the determination of Grampound top scorer Shane Weeks that set up Grampound's first real chance when he pressured a Saltash defender into a mistake which led to fellow striker Glyn Ford being released down the right. His perfect cross was met by Paul Trethewey at the far post and his powerful headed effort scraped the crossbar. This move seemed to inspire Grampound and minutes later Ford's pass through the Saltash defence put Weeks clear and he held off the chasing defenders before calmly slipping the ball past the Saltash keeper for the equaliser and his thirteenth goal of the season. Grampound nearly took the lead when Weeks again wriggled away from defenders into the penalty area. With Dai Moseley ten yards from him and facing an open goal he chose to shoot rather than pass and his drive was parried by the goalkeeper. Just before half time Saltash took an unexpected lead when a long looping speculative shot from Jay Vickers deceived Tony Ford in the sun and dropped in.

The first moments of the second half saw Saltash's last real threat on the Grampound goal and it took a tremendous last ditch tackle by Greg Dunn to stop them going further ahead. Manager Glyn Leaney's decision to bring on Ross Turton up front for the second half gave Grampound increased potency and with man of the match Paul Trethewey driving them on they pushed Saltash back in the search for an equaliser. Turton went close with a couple of powerful shots, Weeks shaved a post from the edge of the area and Moseley hit the woodwork three times with headers, on two of those occasions the Saltash goalkeeper making wonderful fingertip saves to divert the ball just enough to keep it out. Grampound kept plugging away and eventually scored their deserved equaliser when a corner from the left was diverted by Ford and the ball fell to Turton who made no mistake from eight yards. There was still time for Grampound to create further chances and the pace and movement of Turton continued to cause problems for Saltash. The second half made exciting viewing for the sizeable crowd but at the final whistle it was the visitors who were relieved to have escaped with a point, with their thanks going to their goalkeeper for an outstanding display.

Squad

Ford T
Webb J
Leaney
Cooper
Dunn D (sub Turton, 45)
Moseley
Maker
Trethewey
Dunn G
Weeks
Ford G

Goals

Weeks (25), Turton (70)

Man of the Match

Paul Trethewey

Yellow Cards

Red Cards

Nonen of the Match Yellow Cards Red Cards