Superb 2nd Half Against League Leaders

CHANDLERS FORD 0-5 COLLEGE YOUTH B
30.09.06 – MID SOLENT B LEAGUE

Chandlers Ford started this match very brightly and were more than a match for College in the opening stages of the game. It was always going to be difficult against the top of the table side that have scored goals for fun in their first couple of games in the league already this season.

With Joshua Harragan unavailable for selection this week due to not being registered in time, CFY welcomed back David Phillips who gave his all as ever.

Michael Sawbridge came closest to scoring within the first two minutes as he got on the end of a David Phillips through ball, with David Harris also doing well in the build up play. Michael didn’t quite hit it cleanly but he certainly caused a lot of problems for the College defence as he burst past them creating an opening for the shot, which went just wide of goal.

After holding the visitors for at least ten minutes, CFY began to crack under the pressure on their goal. Former Portsmouth striker Leroy Rudd grabbed a first half hattrick including a penalty that he won in the first place. Karthik Basker ran out of goal to try and stop the College striker but Rudd managed to get the ball past Basker and as he did was brought down by the feet of the Chandlers Ford keeper.

HALF TIME – CFY 0-4 College Youth B

The second half saw a vastly improved performance from the home side as they defended superbly well with captain Robbie Hurst at the heart of it as usual along with Michael Sawbridge who dropped in at centre half to keep things tight.

Jozef Montigue worked tirelessly in the centre of the park, creating chances for Thorsten Tramischus on several occasions.

The only goal of the half came from a corner ball on the right hand side. Rudd was quickest to react and somehow squeezed the ball into the top corner with an amazing overheard kick leaving Basker standing.

Other than this College rarely looked like scoring, as the determination of the Chandlers Ford players were quite evident for all to see.

Tramischus could have grabbed a consolation as he got on the end of chipped passed from Montigue but it fell on his weaker left foot and the keeper came out well to push it wide for a corner.

In the closing stages of the game, there was yet more controversy following last weeks friendly match being abandoned. The College Youth linesman brought it to the attention of the referee that CFY’s Liam Godfrey had supposedly spat at the College keeper. This left the referee no option other than to show the red card although it has been suggested that the keeper made more of it than met the eye.

All in all, CFY can be very pleased with their excellent second half display where they showed a lot of passion and belief in themselves as they kept a very strong side very quiet for near enough the whole half and probably should have had a goal or two for themselves. The boys can take heart from this as things are getting better and it should give them the confidence to go into the next game thinking that they can get a win.

FULL TIME – CFY 0-5 College Youth B

Match pictures by Neil Sawbridge

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