report20-10-01

After last weeks disappointing performance, Upney Royal Oak came into this game looking for a convincing win against bottom team Mansard Rovers.

However, with four squad members missing, including keeper Paul Trotter, Upney boss Mickey Carmody was forced to put Steve Silk between the sticks. Also, despite only having one substitute, confidence was nevertheless high amongst the travelling band of supporters, who expected to witness a good footballing display and plenty of goals.

As in previous weeks though, U.R.O.F.C. began sloppily; the ball given away carelessly in defence which left a Mansard striker clean through on goal. Fortunately, as the chipped effort sailed over the stranded Silk, the ball drifted away and struck the right hand post to the relief of the team. This early danger served as a wake up call; which was fortunately heeded by the team. Good attacking play from Gutridge down the left flank gave the team an outlet from which to test the Mansard defence. Long balls over the top and strong running opened up the the defence from which numerous chances were carved out for the experimental frontline of Nash and Randall. After a number of near misses, including a one on one oppurtunity squandered by Nash, the relentless pressure eventually paid off. More good play from Gutridge culminated in a driven cross toward the penalty spot which was met by the late run of Randall, whose left foot shot skidded off the wet turf and into the bottom corner of the net. Despite further good attacking play; Ryan Silk overcoming his lack of speed to control the pace and direction of the play with intelligent and insightful passing, the game remained 1-0 as th referee blew for half time.

Upney's inability to increase their lead was punished within five minutes of the restart. Failure to clear a seemingly innocuous Mansard attack resulted in a well taken equaliser for the home team, who momentarily threatened to take control of the game. However, minutes later Upney were back in front after a great run by Randall was abruptly ended when he was hacked down inside the penalty box. Steve Silk stepped up from between the sticks to comfortably convert and put Upney Royal Oak back on the offensive.

Soon after a two goal lead was achieved as further attacks caused mayhem in the Mansard defence. Randall took advantage of such a mistake, and from just inside the box, skillfully chipped the keeper with the ball nestling just inside the right hand post. However, as the game seemed to be going in Upney's favour, a dubious free kick was awarded to Mansard just outside the penalty area. As the defensive wall was being formed, a quickly taken kick cut the deficit in half to put the result in doubt again. Despite this being a major setback, Upney Royal Oak displayed the team spirit that runs throughout the side by restoring their two goal cushion within ten minutes. Again Randall managed to elude the Mansard defence and finding himself on the edge of the box again, executed a repeat of his second goal to claim the hat-trick.

The result was now a foregone conclusion, as the tiredness of the Mansard defence allowed more gaps to appear in the final third of the pitch. A succession of corners and free kicks followed with efforts from Railton and Carmody coming close to increasing the lead. Finally, a further goal to compound Mansard's misery was added by Darren Silk with five minutes left. A corner for Upney was cleared by the Mansard defence only as far as Ryan Silk who played a dangerous swirling ball back into the danger area. As the ball approached Ellis, it seemed that the late substitute would comfortably finish to double his goal tally for the season, minutes after entering the field of play. However, a wild mis-timed swing at the ball was totally off the mark but managed to fool five Mansard defenders who all in turn let the ball run through to the back post. Darren Silk, still up from the corner, had the easiest of chances to smash the ball home from just inside the six yard box.

The only negative point from the game was the news that inspirational player-manager Mickey Carmody, may have sustained a broken finger after a seemingly innocuous fall during the second half.

Man Of The Match:     David Randall - created problems all game and capped his performance with a                                          stunning hat-trick

Goal Of The Match:     Randall's third goal, chipping the keeper well at a crucial point in the game

Special Mention:          Hats must come off for Ryan's first full 90 minutes this season. This reporter for                                     one never thought he would make it