Post by slush on Mar 8, 2007 16:50:09 GMT
Rawls’ efforts in vain in Cup KO
H. E. Dean Cup Round 3
Sculcoates Amateurs Reserves 2 – 1 Easington United Reserves
(After Extra Time)
A GOAL five minutes from the end of extra-time confirmed the Stiffs’ exit from the County League’s President’s Cup on Saturday at a sticky Hull & ER Sports Ground.
Having taken the lead through Luke Smith and despite a superb performance from goalkeeper Chris Rawlings, the locals were eventually consigned to a second defeat of the season at the hands of the Premier Division strugglers.
Manager John Clarke included Dan Potts, Darren Thompson and Stu Campbell in his squad, the latter making his final appearance before departing for a “life on the ocean wave”, with Luke Jeffery claiming a start at right back after recent appearances on the first team bench.
On a pitch that was playable but obviously bearing the effects of the recent rain, both teams enjoyed periods of good possession but it was Scully who possessed the sharper attacking edge. They knocked the ball around well and carved out the better chances. Due to a combination of poor finishing and good goalkeeping, however, for the most part they couldn’t finish them.
In a performance that impressed watching first team manager Dave Mack, Easington keeper Chris Rawlings produced a string of outstanding saves; including one tremendous double-stop to deny what appeared a certain goal.
For their part, the locals failed to produce the sort of football they’re capable of and there were several examples of “panic stations” at the back. They were also guilty of inviting their opponents on by defending too deep.
Going forward, they were often let down by a poor final ball and created few clear chances of their own. Craig Foster saw one volley saved first half and Mark Richardson passed up a couple of decent opportunities from promisingly placed free kicks. A spell of control during the middle of the second half, however, reaped its rewards when Luke Smith cut in from the left, some 25 yards out, and rifled a terrific shot into the top corner.
With Rawlings appearing unbeatable at the other end and the hosts starting to feel the heat, Smith’s strike looked as if it might just be enough to clinch the Stiffs a place in the last eight. Not so.
Fifteen minutes from time, Stu Campbell was dispossessed in midfield and from the ensuing break a cross was knocked in from the right and converted from the edge of the box.
Thompson had replaced the hard-working Smith and just before the final whistle the striker passed up a glorious attempt to win the game, the outstretched leg of the Scully keeper denying him when clean through on goal.
Extra-time became a period of attrition but with just five minutes left, Scully went for broke and were rewarded with a winner. When the initial cross came in, Jeffery did well to get up above two attackers but could only divert the ball onto the bar from where it bounced down to be converted with Rawlings for once helpless.
Afterwards, Clarke acknowledged that the effects of several weeks’ inactivity were there for all to see. He praised his keeper for an outstanding display whilst also mentioning a solid stint by Dan Potts.
In view of the manager’s post-match comments and with the weather dominating the current picture to such an extent, the players might wish to be reminded that weekly training sessions are again up and running at Endeavour every Monday!
Reserves: C Rawlings, L Jeffery, B Fisk (S Campbell), M Richardson, A McNaught, D Potts, A Metcalf, T McLaughlin, C Foster, L Smith (D Thompson), A Barnett (sub: D Campbell)
H. E. Dean Cup Round 3
Sculcoates Amateurs Reserves 2 – 1 Easington United Reserves
(After Extra Time)
A GOAL five minutes from the end of extra-time confirmed the Stiffs’ exit from the County League’s President’s Cup on Saturday at a sticky Hull & ER Sports Ground.
Having taken the lead through Luke Smith and despite a superb performance from goalkeeper Chris Rawlings, the locals were eventually consigned to a second defeat of the season at the hands of the Premier Division strugglers.
Manager John Clarke included Dan Potts, Darren Thompson and Stu Campbell in his squad, the latter making his final appearance before departing for a “life on the ocean wave”, with Luke Jeffery claiming a start at right back after recent appearances on the first team bench.
On a pitch that was playable but obviously bearing the effects of the recent rain, both teams enjoyed periods of good possession but it was Scully who possessed the sharper attacking edge. They knocked the ball around well and carved out the better chances. Due to a combination of poor finishing and good goalkeeping, however, for the most part they couldn’t finish them.
In a performance that impressed watching first team manager Dave Mack, Easington keeper Chris Rawlings produced a string of outstanding saves; including one tremendous double-stop to deny what appeared a certain goal.
For their part, the locals failed to produce the sort of football they’re capable of and there were several examples of “panic stations” at the back. They were also guilty of inviting their opponents on by defending too deep.
Going forward, they were often let down by a poor final ball and created few clear chances of their own. Craig Foster saw one volley saved first half and Mark Richardson passed up a couple of decent opportunities from promisingly placed free kicks. A spell of control during the middle of the second half, however, reaped its rewards when Luke Smith cut in from the left, some 25 yards out, and rifled a terrific shot into the top corner.
With Rawlings appearing unbeatable at the other end and the hosts starting to feel the heat, Smith’s strike looked as if it might just be enough to clinch the Stiffs a place in the last eight. Not so.
Fifteen minutes from time, Stu Campbell was dispossessed in midfield and from the ensuing break a cross was knocked in from the right and converted from the edge of the box.
Thompson had replaced the hard-working Smith and just before the final whistle the striker passed up a glorious attempt to win the game, the outstretched leg of the Scully keeper denying him when clean through on goal.
Extra-time became a period of attrition but with just five minutes left, Scully went for broke and were rewarded with a winner. When the initial cross came in, Jeffery did well to get up above two attackers but could only divert the ball onto the bar from where it bounced down to be converted with Rawlings for once helpless.
Afterwards, Clarke acknowledged that the effects of several weeks’ inactivity were there for all to see. He praised his keeper for an outstanding display whilst also mentioning a solid stint by Dan Potts.
In view of the manager’s post-match comments and with the weather dominating the current picture to such an extent, the players might wish to be reminded that weekly training sessions are again up and running at Endeavour every Monday!
Reserves: C Rawlings, L Jeffery, B Fisk (S Campbell), M Richardson, A McNaught, D Potts, A Metcalf, T McLaughlin, C Foster, L Smith (D Thompson), A Barnett (sub: D Campbell)