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LEAGUE
BENTLEY BAPTIST 3-2 LRBC
NO KITE MARK OF QUALITY FOR LRBC
Ed Jackson reports
Bentley aka Doncaster is never an easy proposition, and LRBC knew that this encounter would be no different. They had enjoyed little success away to this team and the disorganised pre-match run up may have led some observers to conclude that their fate was well and truly sealed, before a ball was kicked in anger.
Many adults reminisce about their school days of forgetting to pack the relevant PE kit and being made to sit out or wear stuff from lost property. The LRBC team brought these memories back to the modern day when not 1 but 3 players sheepishly announced they had not brought their shin pads.
LRBC started the game brightly with Mike Philpott, playing in a new role upfront, in particular caused the home defence major problems. Jez Jarvis, who clearly enjoyed his left wing berth, was able to find space down the left and Joe Wilson and Jonny Hoy proved an effective engine in centre midfield. Chances came but were not converted as Ed Jackson, playing well within himself, hooked a chance just wide and a Philpott strike and Wilson free kick failed to trouble the keeper.
Bentley did not lie down and started to get a foothold in the game. The quick feet of their attacking players started to create openings and only the determined back line of the Thomson brothers, Rick Mayers and Carl Murgatroyd and goalkeeper Frater, ensured that time to convert all these chances was not presented. The important first goal though did fall to the Bentley team, when the referee surprisingly pointed to the spot after seeing a push in the area. The penalty was calmly slotted home. Despite the huffing and puffing of LRBC they could not find a way back into the game before half time.
At 1-0 at half time, the game was still there for the taking but LRBC are not renowned for overturning leads. As the second half wore LRBC tried to push forward but were soon 2-0 down when Bentley made the most of their pressure.
A huge kite that could got caught on a nearby house provided light relief and the Irish referees mis-quote of �have you seen the kite� will live on long in the memory.
The game seemed dead and buried but LRBC threw caution to the wind and took the game to their opponents. Hoy and Jarvis pushed further forward and Thorpe down the right upped his performance to give a greater attacking option. After a couple of weak attempts, eventually LRBC got back in the game. A lovely through ball by Hoy put Jackson in the clear and he calmly slotted the ball home. The celebrations were muted though as an unnecessary challenge from the centre half took the striker�s legs from under him and his heavy fall on his fragile shoulder ensured he would play no further part in the game.
With Turner brought into the action down the right, LRBC had not finished. They worked hard and tried to force an equaliser. At the other end a brilliant save with his legs from Mark Frater kept their hope alive.
The fourth goal of the match was controversial as a corner from the left saw a number of Bentley players charge in together to force the ball home. Mayers led the protests and appeals for pushing, but the referee was not swayed.
At 3-1 down LRBC brought on Mark Fisher, making his 50th appearance for the club, and changed to a 3-4-3. Fisher�s appetite for work gave fresh impetus to their attack and possession was now focused in the Bentley half. Swarm after swarm of attacks came, and the effort and desire kept the teams persevering. Eventually LRBC got a break when Fisher was hauled down in the area, and Thorpe�s one two three with the goalkeeper and bar saw him convert the chance at the second attempt.
By now Bentley were happy to simply hammer the ball up field at every chance and Mayers and the Thomson brothers coped easily with this. As time started to run out the best chance came to Philpott. The ball fell to him in the penalty area but his crisp shot rebounded back off the cross bar with the goalkeeper helpless.
For all their efforts LRBC could not quite find the killer pass or little bit of magic to grab the equaliser. Once again their failure to play for 90 minutes cost them dear and the last 20 minutes of the game only served to show what they can achieve. There were many positives including Mayers assured performance at the back, and the danger of Philpott up front. And, the team also had a never say die attitude which had been absent in the past. However, only points will keep them up, and they need to find some soon if they are to avoid the trapdoor at the end of the season.
LRBC Team: M Frater, S Thomson, C Murgatroyd (M Fisher), R Mayers, T Thomson, J Hoy, A Thorpe, J Wilson, J Jarvis, E Jackson (D Turner), M Philpott.
LRBC Goalscorers: A Thorpe, E Jackson
LRBC Man of the Match: A Thorpe