First Team Match Report - Saturday 1st September 2007
MSFL - Div 2
Ardingly 2 - 0 Willingdon Athletic II
by Dave Port
A real team performance, everyone working together
in harmony.
Excellent early goal - Dave Williamson, put through
into the inside left channel by ????, gave a delicate ( yes delicate!!!) touch
of the outside of his right boot to lift the ball pass the goalie. The second
goal, early in the second half, was thanks to a goalie failure to pick up the
ball when under pressure from Jon Quick (who has claimed the goal without
touching it !!!).
From the top. Toby was faultless in goal and gave
early and clear calls when coming for the ball. Andy M at right back made good
headed interceptions throughout whilst at left back the Chairman made many
forays down the left wing, followed by some excellent crosses. Like the other
senior pro in the side, Dean, he lasted the pace extremely well and felt
untroubled throughout. Dean not being so nippy held the ball up well and made
it difficult for the opposition to get it off him.
What a captain, Mike Sinfield led the team by
example, winning virtually every tackle that he made. Alongside him Ben didn't
allow space to the opposition forwards by marking them very tight. He also won
everything in the air. In fact all along the back line the defending headers
were strong not played into 'trouble' areas.
The central midfield played fluently. Matt Wright,
Dale West and Dave W played good football and most importantly, covered for
each other and not once were the back four left exposed. Dale took some
excellent free kicks and corners that were difficult to defend and had a
couple of cracking shots well saved by the Willingdon goalie. Matt was his
usual composed self, nicked the ball well, and Dave W had a higher than normal
ratio of shots on target compared with over the bar.
Up front, Jon worked hard, held the ball up
extremely well and brought the advancing midfield sensibly into the play.
MOM: Mike Sinfield 9
Toby Smith 8, Andy Majcher 8, Ben Whitehouse 8, Neil
Cooper 8, Dale West 8, Dave Williamson 8.5, Matt Wright 8,
Andy Lestrange 8, Jon Quick 8, Dean Allen 8