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A neat finish from Jan Souleyman five minutes form time handed the real 'Hurst victory. |
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Eyehurst Eagles |
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Woodhurst |
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Bradbury, Souleyman |
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Parsloes, Dagenham |
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10.30pm, Sunday 14th November 04 |
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Essex Sunday Corinthian League Division One |
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Referee: Tony Skitmore
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Despite a below-par and sluggish Woodhurst performance, Roy Lawley's men returned to winning ways as their League campaign resumed in Dagenham.
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The absence of Tony Taylor at left-back and the late withdrawal of skipper Nick Bashford meant that Woodhurst were forced to start with only ten-men as Steve Hughes, Patrick Ladbury and Paul McShea were late on Parsloes parade.
Their tardiness was soon forgotten, though, once the three amigos arrived allowing Hughes to slot into Taylor's empty hole at the back with 10 minutes gone, Simon Probert moved into central midfield alongside the returning Jamie Bradbury - sorely missed in last week's 14-0 win - and Andrew Shepperd joined his mate Nigel Jordon in the firing line.
Woodhurst soon found a rhythm, if a little slow, and began to dominate possession and chances with Souleyman freely exploiting the Eyehurst right back, but they failed to make the breakthrough until 20 minutes in.
Again working down the left with the Turkish terror, Souleyman cut inside before slipping the ball across the edge of the box to the unmarked Bradbury. The number nine, well-aware of the space he had 20 yards out, picked out his spot perfectly, placing the ball into the top corner of the Eagles net.
The game was now there for Woodhurst to lose, and just before the break, a slack piece of defending left the Eyehurst centre-back in space as he latched onto a long ball and poked past Tom Gray.
But Woodhurst are made a stern stuff and, though they never really clicked into gear today, showed in spells during the second half just what they are capable of as they forced Eyehurst into some desperate blocks and resolute defending. With 10 minutes left, the home side could have snatched a massive victory themselves as their number 11 found himself bearing down on goal with Alex Alexander biting at his heels. The Eyehurst boy's attempted lob was a good one but Gray leapt up well and used a strong hand to put the ball out for a corner.
Woodhurst then demonstrated their own knack for fast-paced counter-attacking football to send to three points to Nelson Road. As the corner was slung into he box, Gray held well and threw out to Andrew Shepperd who set on a run upfield. He was soon inside the Eyehurst area and as the remaining defenders came out to close him down, he rolled to ball across the area to Souleyman in space who slotted past the 'keeper and into the bottom corner.
A late goal-line clearance by the Eagles and penalty claim against Alexander waved away by the referee kept the score at 2-1 as Woodhurst move up to third, a point off the top.
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Team From
Tom Gray
Jason Fullerton
Steve Hughes
Simon Probert (McShea)
Jenssen Clifford
Alex Alexander
Kofi Owusu (Ladbury)
Nigel Jordon
Jamie Bradbury
Andrew Shepperd
Jan Souleyman
Subs
Patrick Ladbury
Paul McShea
Roy Lawley
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Tom Gray
