Post by slush on Apr 18, 2007 6:33:55 GMT
Absent Ebo leaves ‘Cat Dooley’ playing Bonetti!
Molescroft Rangers Reserves 3 – 2 Easington United Casuals
IT would be easy to put this potentially damaging defeat down solely to stand-in keeper ‘Dooley’ Cousins, who was found wanting when faced with three less-than-threatening efforts from range that somehow found their way into his net, the last two inside the final few minutes of the match ensuring the Casuals snatched defeat from the jaws of victory!
And I suppose I haven’t helped his cause with my choice of headline – which, for you younger readers, refers to the hapless Chelsea goalkeeper of pre-Roman days who became the fall-guy for England’s exit from the 1970 World Cup after having been called in at the last moment following Gordon Banks' submission to a dodgy enchilada. But I digress.
The real finger of blame, however, must point firstly at resident Casuals keeper ‘Ebo’ for not deeming his manager worthy of a call in advance of his non-appearance; and secondly at the Casuals outfield players for not capitalising on their undoubted superiority over ninety minutes and taking the chances that would have rendered Dooley’s late “clangers” academic.
It should also be noted that prior to the late Molescroft double-strike, the veteran defender-turned-netminder had actually produced two fine saves to prevent the home side taking an unmerited early lead.
With John Batch included in an attempt to shore up the Casuals’ sieve-like defence, Paul Morrow, Matty Findley and Darren Dawson returning to add some zest, Adam Metcalf and Dan Potts on call from the bench in case of disaster (ahem!) and Daniel Campbell enrolled to put the ‘P’ into ‘Passionate Display’, Clubley’s troops set out with high hopes of achieving at least the point that would ensure Molescroft, playing their final game, could not overtake them at the bottom of Division 4.
The sense that things might not turn out as planned started when arrival at Beverley Leisure Centre found the pitch double-booked. There followed a “Wacky Races”-style convoy across town to the outpost of yesteryear that is Thurwell Avenue. And so, at 7.00pm, the Casuals kicked off their most important game of the season…
Things began to look up as they produced some fine football at times, whilst never looking in much danger at the back (Dooley’s aforementioned saves apart). Indeed, they should really have come off at the break a goal to the good but Chris Smith was denied by a fine save.
The second half followed a similar trend but again the locals looked worryingly impotent in front of goal. The best chance fell to Dawson with the goalkeeper making a point-blank save although in truth he should have not have been given the chance.
Midway through the half, however, the breakthrough came. A Dave Clubley corner was returned to him on the right and he proceeded to jink inside the defender and fire home at the near post.
Easington now looked likely to settle matters quickly. Paul Morrow forced the keeper into a good save and both Smith and Rich Clubley had chances before disaster struck: a long range shot that Dooley somehow let through his gasp tying things up at one apiece.
Thankfully, the Casuals’ response was immediate; Dave Clubley pulling away to the right and whipping in a cross that cousin Rich met with a diving header at the near post.
The game then became end-to-end with plenty of errors at both. Full credit should go to Molescroft for not giving up, but in truth the Casuals now gifted them the game.
With barely five minutes left, the hosts were awarded a free-kick from about 35 yards out. In the gathering gloom ‘Cat Dooley’ (see what I’ve done there?!) decided against a wall – only to see the ball nestle itself in his net moments later.
Still, a point was okay but even that was to evade the locals – a cross from the right evading everyone and ending up in at the far post.
So Molescroft move – temporarily at least – out of the bottom two and with three games to play, the task for Clubley’s side is simple: pick up three points and Division 4 status is preserved (barring any close season reorganisation of course!). The first chance to do this comes on Saturday when Brandesburton 3rds visit Humbleton.
Casuals: S Cousins, P Brown, T Biglin, D Dawson, J Batch, D Campbell (D Potts), D Clubley, M Findley, C Smith (A Metcalf), R Clubley, P Morrow
Molescroft Rangers Reserves 3 – 2 Easington United Casuals
IT would be easy to put this potentially damaging defeat down solely to stand-in keeper ‘Dooley’ Cousins, who was found wanting when faced with three less-than-threatening efforts from range that somehow found their way into his net, the last two inside the final few minutes of the match ensuring the Casuals snatched defeat from the jaws of victory!
And I suppose I haven’t helped his cause with my choice of headline – which, for you younger readers, refers to the hapless Chelsea goalkeeper of pre-Roman days who became the fall-guy for England’s exit from the 1970 World Cup after having been called in at the last moment following Gordon Banks' submission to a dodgy enchilada. But I digress.
The real finger of blame, however, must point firstly at resident Casuals keeper ‘Ebo’ for not deeming his manager worthy of a call in advance of his non-appearance; and secondly at the Casuals outfield players for not capitalising on their undoubted superiority over ninety minutes and taking the chances that would have rendered Dooley’s late “clangers” academic.
It should also be noted that prior to the late Molescroft double-strike, the veteran defender-turned-netminder had actually produced two fine saves to prevent the home side taking an unmerited early lead.
With John Batch included in an attempt to shore up the Casuals’ sieve-like defence, Paul Morrow, Matty Findley and Darren Dawson returning to add some zest, Adam Metcalf and Dan Potts on call from the bench in case of disaster (ahem!) and Daniel Campbell enrolled to put the ‘P’ into ‘Passionate Display’, Clubley’s troops set out with high hopes of achieving at least the point that would ensure Molescroft, playing their final game, could not overtake them at the bottom of Division 4.
The sense that things might not turn out as planned started when arrival at Beverley Leisure Centre found the pitch double-booked. There followed a “Wacky Races”-style convoy across town to the outpost of yesteryear that is Thurwell Avenue. And so, at 7.00pm, the Casuals kicked off their most important game of the season…
Things began to look up as they produced some fine football at times, whilst never looking in much danger at the back (Dooley’s aforementioned saves apart). Indeed, they should really have come off at the break a goal to the good but Chris Smith was denied by a fine save.
The second half followed a similar trend but again the locals looked worryingly impotent in front of goal. The best chance fell to Dawson with the goalkeeper making a point-blank save although in truth he should have not have been given the chance.
Midway through the half, however, the breakthrough came. A Dave Clubley corner was returned to him on the right and he proceeded to jink inside the defender and fire home at the near post.
Easington now looked likely to settle matters quickly. Paul Morrow forced the keeper into a good save and both Smith and Rich Clubley had chances before disaster struck: a long range shot that Dooley somehow let through his gasp tying things up at one apiece.
Thankfully, the Casuals’ response was immediate; Dave Clubley pulling away to the right and whipping in a cross that cousin Rich met with a diving header at the near post.
The game then became end-to-end with plenty of errors at both. Full credit should go to Molescroft for not giving up, but in truth the Casuals now gifted them the game.
With barely five minutes left, the hosts were awarded a free-kick from about 35 yards out. In the gathering gloom ‘Cat Dooley’ (see what I’ve done there?!) decided against a wall – only to see the ball nestle itself in his net moments later.
Still, a point was okay but even that was to evade the locals – a cross from the right evading everyone and ending up in at the far post.
So Molescroft move – temporarily at least – out of the bottom two and with three games to play, the task for Clubley’s side is simple: pick up three points and Division 4 status is preserved (barring any close season reorganisation of course!). The first chance to do this comes on Saturday when Brandesburton 3rds visit Humbleton.
Casuals: S Cousins, P Brown, T Biglin, D Dawson, J Batch, D Campbell (D Potts), D Clubley, M Findley, C Smith (A Metcalf), R Clubley, P Morrow