O 35's 0 Western Springs 2

On Saturday the Over 35’s took on Western Springs for a game we needed to win, as Springs were 6 points behind us with 3 games in hand.

Springs started well, created early pressure and carved out the game's first chance after five minutes. After a neat 1 -2 in the middle of the park, and an accurate pass found their striker who narrowly shot wide.

We did try to play football, but the condition of the pitch was against us and in hindsight would have been better to knock longer balls down the flanks for our striker and wingers to run onto.

This was how our first attack came about as Marty Mercer gathered the ball and with a great pass down the left, for Pete Clark to run onto and with his pace beat the opposing defender, then more or less get tripped up by the pitch ending in a 18 yard box scramble and the danger cleared.

Springs controlled the game well in the first half; they had a good couple of midfield players that ran the show for them. They created space by playing some neat football and after some nice touches put the opposing striker to smash it past our on-coming keeper, 1 – 0 Springs.

We tried hard with good energy and tackling coming out of the midfield, but just couldn’t seem to find a first touch or an accurate pass, it was just one of those days where everything was slightly off. Andy Davey chased hard, but we didn’t really give him much ammunition. Mark Harvey was strong at the back and made some critical challenges to keep us in the game.

Springs created enough pressure to force several corners and the third with pin-point accuracy found a player unmarked, he turned and shot, the ball ricocheted off a Puke defender and into the top corner 2 – 0 Springs.

Into the half-time break 2- 0 down, this was the big one this was the one we had to get up for but so far just wasn’t happening. We hadn’t wanted it badly enough so far, things had to change.

The second half started with more vigour and effort from Puke. We had to take this game to them, 1 goal could get us back into it. We fought hard and it was a much better 2^nd half. We had the early pressure with some tireless running from Robbie Leonard and Andy Davey, but Springs weren’t going to lie down. As the half wore on, we looked the fitter side but it was the 2 goal cushion that kept them going.

Then mid-way through the half, a great ball from the midfield put Robbie Leonard through and with only the keeper to beat caught it to well and just shaved the top of the cross bar, unlucky lads.

Andy Davey then stung the palms of substitute goalkeeper Simon Dello before Robbie Leonard hit the side-netting courtesy of a smart finger-tip save from Dello down to his right.

Springs also had a golden opportunity to go three up after much the same at the other end, but after a great save from Andy Townsend, could only manage to hit the post and the keeper recovered the ball.

That’s how it finished. It wasn’t our best game but a sterling performance in the centre of defence by Mark Harvey, got the vote for player of the day. Great work mate, worked unselfishly all day and managed to keep possession well.　

POD: Mark Harvey

Goal Scorers to date: Andy Davey 9, Jon Waller 9, Robbie Leonard 4, Pete Clark 2, Graham Spinks 1 , John Mclaughlan 1, Nick Rowe 1, Dave Bernard 1 and Marty Mercer 1.

Training 7.30pm Monday (High School Gym) and next week we are away to Metro, 2.45 kick off.