Juventos 2000 3 v 1 Travellers
Smarting from last weeks unfortunate defeat at the hands of Strollers, a determined Juventos side, back to full strength, lined up to face Travellers, who they had previoulsy beaten on penalties not two weeks earlier. Juan Box returned in goal after a brief stint in Monaco, covering for the injured Flavio Roma. Steve Box and Mark Hurcombe were at the back, with Simon Fowler stepping forward to play up with Chard Sands. Knight and Lancaster were on the bench.
Despite controlling the game for large parts of the first half, couldn't make the initial break through. Steve Box had a trademark free kick saved, and Chard Sands also went close, after capping mazy runs with two shots which just missed the far post. However it was the Travellers who took the lead. Box lost a weak tackle in their half, before their forward covered a lot of ground before finishing into the top corner with his left foot. 'Tos weren't behind for long though. Lancaster gave the ball to Fowler, who managed to squeeze in a good shot towards the far post. The keeper was unsighted, and couldn't react in time as it went low into the left corner. Steve Knight then got the reward his work deserved. The ball bobbled loose following a tackle on the 'Tos left, and he swivelled and beat the keeper with his left foot.
After the break, Tos continued to dominate, with Hurcombe and Sands both going close. Simon Fowler dropped deeper, and started to set up moves from the back, often resulting in a Sands effort on goal. Up the other end, Juan Box only really had two saves of note to make, one good one with his feet. He was to gain an assist for the final 'Tos goal though, as he put Chard Sands in the clear with a good roll out. The tricky striker beat the last defender with ease, before dinking it past the on rushing keeper. There was still time for Hurcombe to go close and Box to with a long range half volley, but it was to finish 3-1.
'Tos team rating - 7
Ref watch: Ken (6) -Not bad, but seems mortally confused by the advantage rule. Failed to spot a rather blatant dive by one of the travellers.
Juan Box (6) Nothing he could do about the goal, and got an assist for Sands' goal.
Steve Box (5) Passing was erratic and was at fault for the first. Poor day at the office.
James Lancaster (6) Got involved in the first and was a driving force before half time.
Mark Hurcombe (6) Played deeper than usual and never really looked troubled.
Steve Knight (6) Got a nice goal with his left foot and added a different dimension.
Simon Fowler (7)* Good up top first half but probably influenced the game more from deeper.
Chard Sands (7) Scored a good goal and deserved another one. They couldn't handle him when he got a run up at them.