South Walsham Res 2-3 East Harling Res The Reserves travelled to South Walsham a very different side to that laid out post training after five Friday call offs. With two players away, two waiting to come back from injury and Matthew Johnson promoted to the first team, new signings Ben Crone, William Beales and Kieran Grady were immediately called into action, the latter two having their first experience of mens football. The team was set up with players out of normal positions. Jack Barnett was chosen as a fill-in centre back and once again Jack Oldmeadow stood in as left-back. Beales was thrown in at the deep end alongside Barnett in the middle of defence and Crone debuted as right-back. Manager Neil Hamshaw turned player-manager to make his playing debut this season in centre midfield, whilst James Dunkinson completed the strike force up top. The game started brightly as both sides were looking to take a foothold in the game. Harling looked the more comfortable and began to use the flanks well to drive into the opposition half, but the home team found their way through on occasion to make some early chances. Luke Copeman, still not 100% fit from an injury sustained at Freethorpe, began to trouble the Walsham defence and created a number of great chances for himself, his closest coming from a great Jack.O free-kick floated towards the box. Copeman met it, producing a cheeky backwards header at the edge of the penalty area which hit the bar. Shortly after he was unlucky again as the Walsham keeper spread himself to stop a certain goal in a one on one. Harling had a lot of time in the opposition box but couldnt quite find the killer pass or get the ball out of their feet in the long grass. South Walsham took the lead in the game after a defensive mix up saw a player break through and slot the ball cleanly home. They came close with two further shots heading wide and a looping cross just sailing past the far post but generally the defensive line held firm with some impressive defending by Barnett, Crone and Beales. Harling refused to lay down. They were winning the aerial battle and continued to press. A great cross from right-winger Liam Bobbin produced a stunning header from Dunkinson, only to be tipped over by the keeper by an equally good save. Half time saw Harlings only substitute Grady replace Hamshaw in central midfield. A positive team talk and good chats in the dressing room saw a Harling side that came out in better form. Early second half domination saw several chances go wanting as the Walsham goal was peppered with shots and crosses sailed across the box unchallenged. Harling won several corners prompting concern from the Walsham bench, convinced a goal was imminent. This proved to be the case when Oldmeadow found himself put through by Copeman, his shot deflecting high into the path of Dunkinson who calmly headed home. A slight tactical switch saw Oldmeadow swap positions with Joshua Birleson to move into left midfield and this immediately paid off with Oldmeadow starting and finishing a terrific attacking move. Controlling a high ball he sent the ball cross field to Bobbin who ultimately sent the ball back to Oldmeadow. His twisting and turning in the box saw home brought down but he fought back for the ball which found its way to Copeman who skilfully went past a defender on the byline, passed it into the box to be rifled into the net by Oldmeadow from close range to take a deserved lead. South Walsham had bouts of possession deep in Harlings half but the defensive line continued to hold despite a couple of scares. However the result was taken further away from them around the 70th minute when a great header from the ever impressive Luke Hancock found the feet of Dunkinson just outside the box. Dunskinson ran across the D, turned his defenders and fired a beautiful low shot to the Walsham keepers left to slot home his second and Harlings third. With just over ten minutes to go Birleson left the pitch with cramp so Copeman volunteered to drop to left back to cover short-term. Once it was clear Birleson couldnt continue, Hamshaw returned to the pitch taking up a holding position up front. As time ticked down, an under hit back-pass to defence by Hamshaw was intercepted by a Walsham midfielder who immediately put his striker through in a one on one and scored to make it 2-3. But Harling kept their composure following a late flurry by Walsham to take the final whistle and record their second win of the season. The effort put in by each the lads cannot be faulted. The marauding Ben Crone bossed the right-back position but caused havoc to the opposition with forward runs linking well with Bobbin. Beales showed no signs of nerves playing centre back and had a very strong debut, and both the above playing a whole 90 minutes was impressive. Grady also showed how his persistence in training paid off with a comfortable and confident second half performance. Hancock in central midfield was ever present, winning everything and keeping the on-field communication flowing. He was pipped to man of the match by Jack Barnett who was due to start centre midfield but had to once again take one for the team and play centre back. Despite this, he gave a magnificent performance winning everything and distributing the ball in a calm controlled manner. Very well played lads. Extremely proud of what you all did out there. NH
Posted on: Tue, 09 Sep 2014 21:07:11 +0000
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