Saturday 25 November 2006

North Hill 1-3 Grampound

(Duchy League Division 3)
Back to Fixtures

Grampound eased to a fifth consecutive league win at North Hill. After the heavy rain the surface was surprisingly firm, but it took Grampound some time to settle and it took a couple of some brave tackles from the visiting defenders to keep North Hill out in the opening period. Just as Grampound seemed to have found their feet, the hosts took the lead on 20 minutes. Grampound defenders were slow to react to a hopeful ball played into the penalty area and North Hill forward Matt Hoskins managed to divert it into the net. The visitors were back on terms straight from the re-start as Greg Dunn released Glyn Ford down the left. He carried the ball into the penalty area before squaring the ball for Shane Weeks to hit a low drive past the North Hill keeper. Grampound now took a grip on the match and were dictating the play, with their midfield finding much more space and the chances began to arrive. Shane Weeks scored a second from close range to put Grampound ahead and there might have been more but for some bizarre offside decisions. Ten minutes before the break Weeks took advantage of some poor defending to slam the ball into the net to complete his first hat-trick for the club and at this point Grampound looked in complete control.

In recent matches Grampound have started the second half slowly, and there was to be a repeat in this game. The ball was given away with regularity and although players could not be criticised for effort, it did invite the home team onto them, but keeper Tony Ford was never really troubled. With half an hour remaining, North Hill threw an extra player into an attacking role and Grampound manager Glyn Leaney changed the team’s shape to four at the back and this seemed to restrict further Grampound’s attacking options, but they continued to look dangerous on the break and gave North Hill few opportunities to get back into the match.

The three points lift Grampound another place in the league and they now look to be genuine promotion contenders having put their poor start to the season behind them.

Squad

1. Ford T
2. Webb J
3. Leaney
4. Fletcher
5. Cooper
6. James R (James A, 75)
7. Maker
8. Brooker
9. Dunn G (sub Dunn D)
10. Weeks
11. Ford G

Goals

Weeks (20, 25, 35)

Man of the Match

Shane Weeks

Yellow Cards

Red Cards

Nonen of the Match Yellow Cards Red Cards