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On a sunny, pleasant, warm day, Church hosted Lodge Park of the Second Division in the first round of the Terry Cup. The stakes were high as not only was there a passage through to the second round at as the prize but also an opportunity to play fierce local rivals Church Hill Athletic and the bragging rights of Church Hill. The game got underway with a much different side to the one that played last week against Woodies FC. Joe Troth, James Beauchamp (holiday) and Ashley Bunn (injured and on the touchline with crutches) all missing with the returning Brett Skinner and Joe Adams coming in alongside last weeks goalscorer Mark Wright.
The game itself was fast and frantic with very little quality on display. Lodge Park, full of enthusiasm and effort, were more than a match for Church Hill, the supposed Premier League team. It would be fair to say that a neutral would have been hard pressed to pick which team were the Premier League outfit. As the first half drew to a close a wonderful cross from the right saw Anthony Savery, who alongside Fabian Connolly had been the pick of the Church Hill player,s expertly place his header back where the cross had come from and into the net to give the home side the lead.
Amazingly, moments later, what looked a fairly innocuous challenge by Fabian Connolly, was deemed to be a foul and as the foul itself was seen in the eyes of the referee as inside the area, a controversial penalty was awarded. Lee Aldridge stepped up and placed the ball past Michael Hewitt to level the scores as half time approached. There was very little action for the remainder of the half and both sides went in level at one-one. A passionate and vocal half time team talk from assistant manager, Paul O'Brien, saw Church Hill go out with a much more positive and proactive attitude.
The game itself was fast and frantic with very little quality on display. Lodge Park, full of enthusiasm and effort, were more than a match for Church Hill, the supposed Premier League team. It would be fair to say that a neutral would have been hard pressed to pick which team were the Premier League outfit. As the first half drew to a close a wonderful cross from the right saw Anthony Savery, who alongside Fabian Connolly had been the pick of the Church Hill player,s expertly place his header back where the cross had come from and into the net to give the home side the lead.
Amazingly, moments later, what looked a fairly innocuous challenge by Fabian Connolly, was deemed to be a foul and as the foul itself was seen in the eyes of the referee as inside the area, a controversial penalty was awarded. Lee Aldridge stepped up and placed the ball past Michael Hewitt to level the scores as half time approached. There was very little action for the remainder of the half and both sides went in level at one-
Better movement and more composure on the ball saw Church Hill start to take control of the game and press Lodge Park in their own half. A change of personnel saw the rather unlucky Mark Wright, who had clearly tried his best but with little reward, be replaced by the returning, now player assistant manager, Paul O'Brien. From the introduction of Pabs to the end of the game, the gulf in class between the two sides started to show. Despite a missed penalty from Joe Adams Church Hill went onto score four goals in a blistering twenty minute spell. Another penalty, the third of the game, was expertly dispatched by Ross Kendall and then Ross later produced a worthy runner for goal of the season with a Drogba-like chip over an inspired opposition goalkeeper. A further brace of goals from Paul O'Brien saw the final score slightly flatter the home side and result in the game finishing 5-1.
Several players were missing for differing reasons today, and there is still no explanation for the missing due of Joe Torth and Alex Troth. Next week sees the return fixture with Black Horse and a huge fixture that could go along way to deciding who wins the league. A special mention must be made for Pabs who played brilliantly on his return. Ross Kendall is moving towards somewhere near his best and Fabian Connolly was once again excellent in his defensive role on the left hand side. The weeks team score is a 6.5 out of 10 and 5 of those points are for the last 25 minutes’ performance. Man of the match is not an easy decision but this week’s pick has unluckily missed out a couple of times in recent weeks and was once again almost faultless in his display. Anthony Savery is the Mom but Paul O'Brien is also definitely the 2nd half man of the match.
Several players were missing for differing reasons today, and there is still no explanation for the missing due of Joe Torth and Alex Troth. Next week sees the return fixture with Black Horse and a huge fixture that could go along way to deciding who wins the league. A special mention must be made for Pabs who played brilliantly on his return. Ross Kendall is moving towards somewhere near his best and Fabian Connolly was once again excellent in his defensive role on the left hand side. The weeks team score is a 6.5 out of 10 and 5 of those points are for the last 25 minutes’ performance. Man of the match is not an easy decision but this week’s pick has unluckily missed out a couple of times in recent weeks and was once again almost faultless in his display. Anthony Savery is the Mom but Paul O'Brien is also definitely the 2nd half man of the match.
Tuzza
CHURCH HILL 5 - 1 LODGE PARK
September 13, 2009