This week we have a guest writer- Mr John Dow. I have merely added the game facts at the start- Thanks JD!
WU Terrace 0- WU Salmon 3
(Half time 0-2)
Newtown Park
Referee: 074 Grieve Frank
Scorers:
Craig Ireson (2, 1pen)
Mathew Fulton
MOM:
3pts Richard Hallam- A full 90 in centre back and a clean sheet
2 pts Simon Healy- A master class in defensive headers against a team which only knows one route to goal
1pt Michael Ashby- far and away his best perfromance yet, dedicated, direct and confident
1 pt Craig Ireson- two well taken goals and won the ball back like a midfielder
MIGHTY SALMON TRIUMPH ON HALLOWED TURF
On a weekend when 5 teams were fighting for their survival in the English Premier League the Mighty Salmon were marching onto the hallowed turf of Newtown Park for the first time this season, albeit as an away team looking like a bunch of escapees from a St Patrick’s Day Parade.
Despite near perfect playing conditions, a pitch in good shape and the allocation of a real referee our exotic opposition threatened to ruin the day with their shambolic time keeping and lack of organisation resulting in a delayed kick off and the start of the match seeing only 9 Orange clad footballers on the field. This quickly became 11.
The Salmon selectors determined to learn from the painful loss to the Legends the week before, set out the team’s objectives of a clean sheet, 2-3 goals to be scored, some expansive football on the large pitch and plenty of running and effort whilst keeping one step ahead of The Terrace’s reputation for niggly, disruptive play.
In the opening period the ball was played out confidently from the back and with the midfield dominating the ball went forward quickly and efficiently to the lone ranging striker Craig who was ably supported by some mobile play from Squirt, Fulton and Ashby.
While Nick and Kahu were scrapping it out in the middle of the park to good effect they also still managed to get forward and create a few chances and Nick put 2 outstanding raking long balls to Craig which generated genuine chances that didn’t produce goals which on another day they could have.
The breakthrough finally came when John D. clipped a corner to the edge of the 6 yard box and Simon headed a dangerous ball into the goalmouth and a Terrace player handled and the referee pointed to the spot.
Up stepped top goalscorer Ireson and the keeper had no chance, 1-0.
The Salmon were dominating the match and after a useful cross from (Wozza or Squirt ??) the ball bounced loose in the 6 yard box and quick as a flash Fulton got there first and steered the ball into the net for a well deserved goal, 2-0.
A quick half time turnaround and immediately The Terrace were on attack refusing to give in and pushing forward at every opportunity only to be thwarted by the strong central defenders Richard and Simon, and the tenacious defending of Dave and Adam.
Backed up by keeper Richard the defence were committed to achieving the elusive clean sheet the selectors had pleaded for pre match while the midfield worked hard to dominate and keep the Salmon flowing forward.
However goals were proving hard to come by and a slim 2-0 lead gave The Terrace some hope and belief they could still get something out of the game.
However, with 15 minutes to go the ball broke to John D. who played a first time 40 metre pass that cut through and in behind the defence and left striker Craig on a clean break with only the keeper to beat and a clinical finish ended any hopes and dreams The Terrace were clinging to and the game was effectively won, 3-0.
There was still some more action though as another John D. corner was flicked on by Simon and Wozza was nearly in for the 4 th goal, while at the other end The Terrace striker blazed over the bar from 6 yards out with the goal at his mercy.
Overall, the pre match objectives were achieved, Simon’s return at the back greatly assisted the defence keep a clean sheet, 3 good goals were scored and a few other good chances were created, Fulton and Ashby got through a huge amount of running and their pace and enthusiasm caused The Terrace big problems all over the park, Dave got some good moves happening down the left flank while showing he could also get back quickly and his photo on the front cover of Monday’s paper was fully deserved, Adam tidied up the right back spot and also showed some pace getting forward, James managed to cover lots of ground and is still in search of his ideal position ( something the selectors are aware of and contemplating), Squirt seemed to have got over his hammy problem and made some good passes and movements as did Kahu whose fitness should benefit from his first game back after a few weeks away. Wozza showed after a disrupted start that his recent Man of the Match performance is likely to be repeated and his keenness in the penalty area will soon produce a few goals. Nick’s tackling was strong and a couple of sublime passes hinted at what could be when a little extra match fitness takes full effect. Richard H. was solid and reliable as ever and Richard the Goalie celebrated the Salmon’s first clean sheet of this season, which as a keeper you can’t do any better than that. Craig’s 2 goals were well taken and his running into space his best this season stretching The Terrace all afternoon, his goalscorer’s ego and natural sense of superiority should be well satisfied for at least a week. John D.’s fitness is improving and a few passes showed small glimpses of his form from his best ever season which was 32 years ago.
Have the Mighty Salmon turned the corner and set themselves for a majestic run of great results and with it a charge up the league ladder ??
Or was this a simple victory over a winless team who are rooted to the bottom of the table ??
What brilliant strategy and set of objectives will the selectors produce for the next match ??
Will Fulton mount a challenge to Craig to become the team’s top goalscorer ??
Are hard fought clean sheets going to become a regular occurrence ??
Will Dave Armstrong continue to keep Rachel Hunter off the front page of The Dom Post ??
