Saturday 14 October 2006

Calstock 2-4 Grampound

(Duchy league Division 3)
Back to Fixtures

Grampound went to Calstock knowing they needed to carry their recent good form into the match with the league leaders. The first half was evenly contested, with Grampound looking dangerous around the Calstock area but with their midfield unable to control the game. Calstock looked dangerous when in possession and it took some good defending to keep them at bay. On 20 minutes Grampound snatched a lead when new signing Matt Fletcher's flick on released Glyn Ford. With Calstock claiming offside, Ford went on to bundle the ball into the net after hitting the keeper with his first shot. Calstock were back on level terms within two minutes when poor positional play in Grampound's defence allowed a Calstock player the opportunity to cross and Darren Barford headed low into the net. For the remainder of the first half Grampound had to battle to stay in the match as Calstock forced a series of corners and free kicks to put the visitors under pressure. A couple of good saves by Grampound's Tony Ford and some brave and determined challenges by defenders managed to keep Calstock out so that the teams went in at half time with the score at 1-1.

After some adjustments and stern words by the manager at half time, Grampound were transformed in the second half as they showed a lot more belief in completely outplaying the home team. Following a corner Fletcher was unlucky when he hit a powerful shot into a crowded goalmouth for it to be stopped by a raised Calstock arm. To Grampound's dismay, no penalty was given. After an hour a patient series of passes around the home penalty area set up Ryan Maker, back after missing the last five weeks, to hit a left foot shot into the corner from 25 yards. Five minutes later, the move of the match extended Grampound's lead. From their own half a series of passes put Ford away down the right. He beat his man and crossed to the near post to Matt Fletcher, starting a Grampound match for the first time, who reached the ball before the defenders and sent a thumping header into the top corner. The confidence began to flow among the Grampound players and with the score at 3-1 there looked no way back for Calstock. The Grampound midfield were now controlling the game and any lethargy from the first half had long disappeared. More goals seemed likely and Glyn Ford was disappointed when put clear by Fletcher, only to be stopped by shirt pulling by the last defender. The Calstock player was fortunate to not even receive a word from the referee, let alone the red card expected by both sides. Out of the blue, with 10 minutes remaining Calstock put themselves back in the match with a good shot by Alan Elliott into the far corner and Grampound then prepared themselves for an onslaught as the hosts tried to rescue a point. Any nerves in the Grampound team were soon put on one side as a sweeping move released Greg Dunn and the youngster's far post cross from near the left corner flag was met by a crowd of players. The ball ended up in the back of the net with Shane Weeks claiming his first ever headed goal. Grampound did not mind who had scored it and it was a jubilant squad who played out the remaining minutes before the long journey home.

Squad

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

Goals

Ford G, Maker, Fletcher, Weeks

Man of the Match

Shane Weeks

Yellow Cards

Red Cards

Nonen of the Match Yellow Cards Red Cards