|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Patrick Ladbury weighed in with a brace from midfield to help the Hurst on their way. |
|
Woodhurst |
6-2 |
Eyehurst Eagles |
|
Ladbury 2, Sheppard 2, Jordon, McShea |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Parmiters Sport Ground |
|
10.30pm, Sunday 24th October 04 |
|
Essex Sunday Corinthian League Division One |
|
Referee: J Machnicki |
Woodhurst made it three wins from three games after a dazzling display of football against Eyehurst Eagles.
|
On a bright autumnal day made for football, a bumper Woodhurst squad turned out for the resumption of duties following the side's previous weekend off.
Gaffer Roy "We will fight them on the beaches" Lawley delivered a stirring pre-match speech demanding more from his players that have so far been unable to find top gear. Naming a team that had no place in it for the talented group of Hughes, Owusu and Probert. Fullerton was also on the bench.
Fired up by Lawley's inspiring rant and possibly conscious of reprisals, the 'Hurst set about the visitors from Dagenham from the off. Within a couple of minutes, the boys from Nelson Road had settled and had started moving the ball around very nicely. In an opening spell of 20 minutes Woodhurst continued in this style, dubbed "slow Arsenal" by Owusu, playing their best football the season against a well organised opposition. Soon several opportunities were made and squandered, Ladbury particularly guilty of some wayward shooting on several occasions.
Finally the possession counted and after 25 minutes a deep cross was met by an almighty Paul McShea leap as the thinning eastender powered a header into the roof of the net. Surprisingly for a team named after a bird, Eyehurst were again poor in the air for the second, as Ladbury partially atoned for his dismal finishing by launching another header into the net, proving that if you throw enough shit at a wall, some of it sticks.
And speaking of number 2s, that's what followed for Woodhurst as they immediately seemed to take the foot off the pedal and the increasingly eye-catching Eyehurst team took control. Clifford was punished for some lax control and the visiting forward robbed him, rounded the helpless Grey and tucked it into the net. Worse was to follow as Eyehurst added a second several minutes later, again through sloppy Woodhurst play.
The impending wrath of Lawley was soothed somewhat by a precision strike from Jordan shortly before half time, restoring a now seemingly shaky lead.
Another rousing talk from the gaffer, ensured that Woodhurst again started the half with a sense of determination. And once again were straight on the attack. Within minutes Sheppard, who is neck and neck with Craig Bellamy to land this year's Bashford Award for moaning, scored with a neat finish. The determined Woodhurst soon scored again as Ladbury rounded the keeper and trickled the ball into the net. Yet more was to follow with Sheppard showing a touch of class to net his second.
Grey was troubled on only one occasion but proved to be worthy of the opposition striker's effort.
In the end a good, professional performance from the boys from Nelson Road proving that there is indeed only one 'Hurst. Some flashes of brilliance, showing everyone what is possible with a bit of discipline, marred only by periods of lack in concentration. But none the less, the performance was too much for Eyehurst to handle, the eagle had landed.
|
Team
Tom Gray
Jenssen Clifford (Fullerton)
Tony Taylor
Paul McShea (Hughes)
Alex Alexander
Nick Bashford
Patrick Ladbury
Nigel Jordon
Andrew Sheppard
Jimmy Woodham (Probert)
Jan Souleyman
Subs:
Roy Lawley
Simon Probert
Kofi Owusu
Jason Fullerton
Steve Hughes
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
Tom Gray
