League Season Begins With Defeat

CFY 1-5 Warsash Wasps

Mid Solent U14 B League – 15th September 2007

This, the first league game of the new season saw Chandlers Ford punished by the Wasps once more. The same match a year ago ended in a similar scoreline.

Chandlers Ford were probably the better team to begin with, with both David Smith and Liam Godfrey coming close in the opening stages. Liam, operating as a centre forward due to Joe breaking his arm last Tuesday, which will keep him out for around five weeks.

However, failing to make the chances count, Warsash were allowed to come into the game and take the lead against the run of play.

Under little pressure, the visitors’ left winger was allowed time and space as CFY defender’s stood off. This proved to be costly as the ball was soon thumped into the roof of the net from way out by the touchline from a hit and hope strike.

Right at the end Liam Godfrey appeared to have found the equaliser, a goal that Ford thoroughly deserved for the way they responded to conceding. However, as Liam broke free into the area holding off his marker and rounding the keeper cleverly to stroke the ball home; the Warsash linesman was determined he saw a hand ball earlier as the ball was brought down.

On the grounds that the linesman had a better view of the incident than the referee, the goal never stood and CFY will perhaps feel a little hard done by. Clearly if the goal was given Ford would have had all the momentum they needed to go on further and kill the game off.

HALF TIME: CFY 0-1 Warsash Wasps

The setback at the end of the first half worked against the home side as they struggled to find their feet in a below par 35 minutes that followed.

It could have been so much better for Ford had David Smith finished the golden opportunity that came his way literally seconds into the second half. Alex Evens played the ball through to his strike partner but with David clean through on goal, it looking easier to score; Smith got it all wrong with a wayward effort.

From here Warsash took full advantage of these couple of missed opportunities from the Blues, as they did the simple things well with short, sharp passing and quick movement.

They were soon 2-0 in front when a weak effort slipped hopelessly through the legs of Lee Robertson in the Chandlers Ford goal.

The heads immediately went down from the home side and Warsash went on, helping themselves really, to a further three goals one of which was a penalty.

Michael Sawbridge was pushed up front in order to restore some pride with ten to fifteen minutes remaining.

Ford all of a sudden looked very lively and dominated all the play to put the Wasps under a whole lot of pressure, Michael producing a number of saves out of the keeper with long range shooting before finally getting a reward for his efforts.

A long throw from Josh was handled in the box and a penalty kick was given. Sawbridge stepping up to coolly slot the ball to the keeper’s left.
Moments later, another dangerous ball into the box was handled in the area leading to another CFY penalty. This time, Michael wasn’t so fortunate as his spot kick was saved extremely well.

There were still chances even after this and really the score line didn’t tell the whole story on this disappointing start to the new season.

Man of the match – David Bromhead

FULL TIME: CFY 1-5 Warsash Wasps