FIRST
TEAM LEAVE IT LATE AGAIN!
Fixture:
Medbourne V's Heyford Athletic
Venue:
Medbourne Sports & Social
Competition:
Northants Combination Premier Division
Result:
1:1 (Half Time: 0:0)
Heyford
Goal Scorers: Matt Barron
Line
Up:
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Mike
Scott |
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Ryan
Grant |
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James
Hemphill |
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Duncan
Harris |
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Nathan
Lacey (C) |
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Nick Brown |
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Stuart
Clarke |
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Ash
Brown |
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Daniel
Woods |
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Dave
Drinkwater |
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Matt
Barron |
 |
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SUBS
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 |
Steve
Hair
on
for Stuart Clarke 30mins
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Matt Currey
on
for Daniel Woods 65mins
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Johnny
Clarke
on
for James Hemphill 72mins
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Nick
Inwood
Unused
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|
Match
Report: (Courtesy of Nick Inwood)
Heyford
made the long trip to Medbourne looking to maintain their 100%
start to the season buoyed by last weeks late winner which helped
maintain the clubs early season form.
With
the list of absentees again long, Whittaker, Waldock, Maund,
Curley, Currier, Kamara, Reynolds, Moore and Richards to name
eight the game saw the welcome return of Ryan Grant to the starting
X1 plus there was a competitive Heyford debut on the left side
of midfield for Matt Barron who returned from holiday to become
the eighth debutante for the 1st team this season.
With
a number of other clubs not in action this weekend due to the
leagues rep sides game at the home of Harborough Town, Heyford
knew that 3 points would see them with a great opportunity of
going into next weeks Junior Cup weekend sitting on top of the
Premier Division.
For
the first 10 minutes it was Heyford making all the running,
although on the narrow, bobbly playing surface clear cut chances
were proving elusive.
As
the half progressed Medbourne came more into the game as Heyford
struggled to cope with the narrow pitch with the passing far
too tight at times.
On
30 minutes Stuart Clarke's afternoon was cut short, much to
his disappointment, as his hamstring became tight which saw
him replaced by Steve Hair.
With
his first touch Hair came close to breaking the deadlock as
a corner was only half cleared and his sweet volley from just
inside the box was well saved by the home keeper.
With
the half drawing to a close, Heyford missed what was the best
chance of the first period, as Woods broke the offside trap
to find himself through one on one with the home keeper.
With
the bench willing him to shoot, he took the decision to round
the keeper and on the bobbly surface the ball rolled out of
his control and off for a goal kick.
Half
Time: Medbourne 0 Heyford Athletic 0
With
the 3 points there for the taking, Heyford started the second
half kicking up the slope however I am unable to report on the
early stages of the half as I was otherwise engaged!
On
60 minutes the home side broke the deadlock with what was their
first serious effort on goal as from the angle the ball was
lashed high into the net despite Mike Scott in the Heyford goal
getting his hand on the ball.
Almost
immediately powerhouse striker Currey was introduced in place
of Woods, before the injured James Hemphill was replaced by
JC at left back.
The
final Heyford change also resulted in a change in formation
as a 4-3-3 was deployed as we went in search of the equalizer.
In
the end it was Medbourne who were the architects of their own
downfall as they seemed content to play out time for the 1-0
win - a clear sign of this was the lack of the multi ball system
which had been evident during the first period.
With
Heyford now dictating the play and pushing numbers forward in
search of an equalizer Medbourne squandered two wonderful opportunities
on the break to secure the points, both times Mike Scott not
being asked to make a save.
With
the clock running down, in fact we were in the 89th minute,
Matt Barron picked the ball up some 25 yards from goal and with
little on he side stepped his man before bending a wonderful
shot into the top corner of the net wide of the keepers outstretched
hand.
His
delight was obvious on netting such a crucial goal on debut
as he celebrated with the Away bench.
With
4 minutes of stoppage time still to play it was Heyford who
were now going to be the only winners and in the very last minute
a low cross from Currey flew across the 6 yard line with Drinkwater
inches away from providing the vital touch.
Full
Time: Medbourne 1 Heyford Athletic 1
Match
Summary:
A
hard fought point on a difficult (hard) pitch. The home side
are clearly used to the narrow playing surface which we seemed
to struggle with. This is no disrespect to Medbourne as they
clearly spend a lot of time looking after the surface and are
experiencing the same problems as all clubs this season - a
lack of water in recent weeks!
Again
as last week and even at Moulton on the opening day this is
probably a fixture that we would have lost last season so on
reflection a point today and seven points from our opening three
games is a satisfactory start to the season.
The
players deserve a lot of credit for their never say die attitude
and the overall atmosphere and team spirit running throughout
the club currently is better than anything I have known for
a number of years.
Next
up is Peterborough Northern Star in the 1st Round of the Junior
Cup. We go into that game sitting second in the Premier Division,
although only on goal difference. It's a game that no one else
expects us to win and a competition that we are unlikely to
win so lets go out next week and play with confidence and a
smile on our face and put on a performance that we all know
we are capable of, if we do that then who knows!
Man of the Match: Nathan Lacey & Duncan Harris
Both
Lacey and Dunga were tremendous at the heart of the defence
today and the signs of a formidable partnership are there to
see. They allowed Medbourne very few clear openings winning
every tackle, every header and on numerous occasions showed
tremendous composure on the ball, I couldn't separate them today
so this weeks MOM is a joint award.
