Saturday 22 March 2008

Probus 2-2 Grampound

(Duchy League Division 2)
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Grampound again started very slowly in this local derby and a Probus team were allowed far too much space in the first half. Although Grampound were poor, the goal that gave Probus the lead was very fortunate in the way that it beat Ford in Grampound's goal. A long speculative shot bounced awkwardly in front of Grampound's keeper and he failed to keep the ball out as it hit his leg and bounced past him. Probus's Liam Paddock was sent off aboutfive minutes before the interval after he, allegedly, used foul and abusive language towards the assistant referee. Probus had failed to take advantage of the very strong wind during the first half and Grampound's defence were under little real pressure until a corner was not cleared and Phil Webster's shot evaded all on the line to give the hosts a two goal half-time lead.

The second half was almost entirely one-way traffic as Grampound, at last, imposed their superior football on to the game and pressed Probus back into their own penalty area for long periods. Clements' long cross from the left was met by Ford but his effort well saved by the home keeper, and Grampound were now dictatingalmost all the play. Shots from Weeks, Varnell and Maker had he home defence at full stretch, but the goal that pulled the game back into Grampound's reach was as odd as had been Probus's first. A free kick from Clements fro 30 yards evaded everyone and went into the far corner to record the midfielder's first goal for Grampound. The visitors were now rampant, with Cotterill and Maker feeding the dangerous Clements and Weeks. The equaliser came when neat work down the left resulted in a cross which Cotterill drilled home from 15 yards. It looked as if only Grampound would win the game from then on, but the goal would not come although several half-chances presented themselves. The Probus defence held on to win a point, but this could have been more when Harris had to block well after Probus had broken away. In the final minute, Grampound were convinced they had scored the winner when Maker played the ball up to Emery. The tackle came in and Weeks picked up the ball and shot home from 20 yards. The Probus linesman, though, had raised his flag for offside and Grampound were forced to settle for a point after this slightly dubious decision.

Grampound will be less happy with the point than Probus, as it could and should have been more.

Squad

1. Ford T
2. James A (sub Cotterill, 45)
3. Webb
4. Fletcher
5. Dunn G
6. Ford G (sub Dunn D, 63)
7. Maker
8. Harris
9. Clements
10. Varnell M
11. Weeks

Goals

Clements (50), Cotterill (70)

Man of the Match

Matt Clements

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