LIMESTONE RANGERS 1 SWINEFLEET FC 2 Swinefleet travelled to the outskirts of Lincoln with a depleted side for this League fixture against the current Scunthorpe League leaders. The ‘Fleet had to call on the strong depth of their squad with defender Joe Gilmer making his first appearance of the season at centre-back alongside the talented 19-year old, Jack Stocks. Regulars Liam Cooper and Gareth Welsh occupied the full-back roles and Swinefleet’s midfield had Danny Nicholson the only midfielder over the age of 20, with 19 year-old Oliver Brennan alongside him and teenagers Mark Baggerley and Keir Vause on the flanks. Up front was the on-loan Matty Eastwood with current top goal-scorer, Cohen Vause. The home side started the stronger and should have been ahead after 9 minutes when Wilson their number 9, fired over from close range. But on 14 minutes, Swinefleet drew first blood, but it must be said was, against the run of play. The opener came as a result of intelligent link-up play between Eastwood and Baggerely, with Baggerley threading the pass of the match through the centre of the Limestone defence for C. Vause to race through and place the ball into the far corner of the Limestone net. & minutes later, a strong penalty appeal on 21 minute from the home side after Swinefleet keeper Scot Ransome appeared to have clipped Limestone’s Wilson, was waived away by the referee. But the response from Swinefleet came four minutes later when a swift counter-attack nearly paid dividends as Baggerley outpaced the Limestone defence, but Eastwood was unable to apply the finishing touch. With the strong wind at their backs, Limestone kept pressing the ‘Fleet back and the Swinefleet back four unit had to deal with a lot of pressure from the home side. On 41 minutes, the Lincolnshire side drew level. The pace and trickery of Massey on the left beat Cooper down the flank and the Limestone player whipped in a ball that sailed into the far corner of the net. After the interval, the game became a lot more even. Keir Vause on the right was having an excellent game, and elder brother C. Vause was a constant menace to the Limestone defence, playing on the shoulder of the last Limestone defender. Limestone had a good effort on 56 minutes that only just sailed over the Swinefleet cross-bar, but on 62 minutes a strong run from C. Vause down the left saw him cut inside, beat two players, but get up-ended in the penalty area. Gareth Welsh stepped up to easily score from the penalty spot. A yellow card followed for Welsh for his over-exuberant celebrations aimed at the Limestone players and home supporters. With Jonny McFaul coming on for the last 20 minutes replacing Eastwood, and the Vause brothers now in tango up front, Swinefleet created the better of the opportunities created by both sides. Baggerley’s 74 minute shot just went inches wide and a surge from midfield by Nicholson drew a good save form the Limestone keeper on 77 minutes. A speculative effort from Limestone’s Cameron grazed the top of Ransome’s cross-bar on 81 minutes, and for the last 10 minutes the Swinefleet defence had to be on top of their game. Good defensive headers from Welsh, Gilmer and Stocks saw them clear the danger in this last 10 minute spell, but Swinefleet were always quick to break out of defence with quick breaks from Baggerley, and Mc Faul on the flanks to rapidly support the two Vause brothers up front. It was the visitors whom looked more likely to score the next goal, and they just lacked the final quality ball to finally claim all the three points. But with the arrival of the final whistle, Swinefleet can be pleased with themselves as it was a good all round team performance, particularly with the number of keys players actually missing. The Colin Chappell Sponsored Man of the Match Award went to Jack Stocks. Next week, Swinefleet are away v Barnetby. All players, including newly appointed Physio, Mollie Jenson, to meet at Marshlands at 1.15pm.
Posted on: Wed, 19 Mar 2014 18:24:12 +0000
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