Saturday 11 November 2006

St Austell 3-1 Grampound Res.

(Duchy league Division 5)
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The Reserves made the short journey to St Austell and were on the wrong end of the result in yet again a close game against a decent St Austell outfit that are sure to be amongst the promotion contenders in this league on this showing. Despite only picking up 5 points so far this season nobody can fault the high level of commitment that the Reserves have shown this season. St
Austell had the majority of the possession early on as Grampound failed to get their passing game going. After 15 minutes St Austell won a free kick on the edge of the Grampound penalty after the referee awarded a rather a generous free-kick to St Austell after a foul by Woodman. The well struck free kick was well held by Cooke however in the Grampound goal.

St Austell made a number of half chances although Cooke, who had a fine game, was equal to every effort making a number of smart saves to keep the score at 0-0. Grampound started to come more into the game as the half progressed with Chris Prall being involved in most of Grampound's good play. Grampound created a number of half chances but failed to severely test Tyrone Stephen
in the St Austell goal; Orchard, after a good turn, had a decent strike from distance but his shot was straight at Stephen. Ian Varnell, full of running as usual, drilled a superb low cross straight in front of the St Austell goal. Had someone gambled they would have had the easiest of tap ins. Joe Dunn had a decent shot from distance and Dave Juleff in a rare venture forward had a crack with his left foot but neither effort really threatened the St Austell goal.

St Austell opened the scoring after 30 minutes when Phil Hutchings picked up the ball some 45 yards from goal and for once Grampound failed to close down quickly in midfield. Hutchings unleashed a fierce low drive from 25 yards which found the bottom left hand corner of the net to make the score 1-0.

St Austell with Hutchings and Lee Allen prominent in midfield looked to add a second before the break. Hutchings was denied by a last ditch tackle by Woodman and by a superb stop from Cooke in a one-on-one as St Austell's danger man twice broke through the Grampound defence.

Half-time came and Topham could not fault the side's commitment with every 50/50 being contested and Grampound at times playing some football. The side however were at times overplaying and failed to get in a shot at goal or a cross when well placed. Both sides began the second half slowly without a real clear-cut chance
being created at either end in the first 10 minutes. Grampound though looked most threatening at a number of set pieces they won throughout the half. Following a well flighted corner from Dean Dunn on the right Woodman's header cleared the top of the St Austell goal. Grampound had an even better chance to equalise
moments later as Stephen in the St Austell goal spilt the ball at a corner after being severe aerial pressure from both Varnell and Woodman. The ball fell to the feet of Topham who hit a rising shot that eventually cleared the bar by some distance.

St Austell added a killer second goal on 65 minutes. From a corner Dean Dunn unfortunately headed past Cooke for an own goal after beating his man to the ball although Allen of St Austell claimed he got a touch.

Grampound substitute Alister Berry tested Stephen from another corner but his well-struck volley was tipped round the post. Hutchings added a third for St Austell 10 minutes from time. After a fine individual run he slid the ball underneath Cooke with a crisp finish. However Grampound Reserves never give in and after pressure from young substitute Anthony 'Mouse' Leaney,
Stephen spilt a high ball that landed at Alister Berry's feet and he was able to sidefoot the ball into the unguarded net.

Despite this defeat the Reserves have been in every game, and hopefully soon commitment, determination and at times some decent football will be rewarded with more wins and more points.

Squad

1. Cooke
2. Woodman A
3. Berry M
4. Juleff (sub Leaney A, 78)
5. Yeo
6. Dunn. D
7. Topham
8. Varnell. I
9. Prall
10. Dunn. J (sub Berry A, 67)
11. Orchard R

     

Goals

Berry A

Man of the Match

Harry Cooke

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Red Cards

Nonen of the Match Yellow Cards Red Cards