Super Smudge unable to prevent Whiteley win

Chandlers Ford Youth 0-4 Whiteley

Mid Solent B League – 19th January 2008

DAVID SMITH

Chandlers Ford’s first league game since early November ended in a miserable defeat against a side they should have done more to compete against.

The last time the two sides met was a double header at the back end of the 2006/7 season, which was played at Whiteley. The Blue’s won comfortably in the first game before drawing in the second but this time around it proved to be very different.

The first half brought little joy for CFY who did not have the same hunger and desire to win as their opponents who piled the pressure on Lee’s goal continuously.

Whiteley put forward attack after attack until eventually Ford cracked and conceded the opening goal.

The heads went down which only meant more goals for the visitors.

HALF TIME: CFY 0-3 Whiteley

Fortunately the second half saw a much-improved performance with David Smith moving into the centre of defence and putting in a commanding performance.

Ford started fairly brightly with several early corners and free kicks. Had they pinched a goal quickly here, I think it may have ended in a different story.

Alex Evens looked the most likely to find the back of the net as he linked up well with Jozef in attack. One move in particular saw Montigue flick the ball behind the defence, which Evens latched on to with great pace to round the goalkeeper. Only a superb last-ditch tackle from the final defender could prevent Chandlers Ford finding a way back into the game.

Whiteley slowly began to swing the momentum back in their favour but Smith, playing alongside Sawbridge who had switched to a defensive role at the break, was in top form and stopped every attack it seemed with unbelievably well timed tackles.

On more than one occasion it looked as though David would not have any chance of catching up with the attacker, let alone prevent an otherwise certain goal – but somehow ‘Smudge’ led the perfect example for others by not giving up and making vital interceptions at just the right moment.

Whiteley did manage to score a fourth goal towards the end but it goes without saying that, had we played the same football with the same spirit in the first half that we proved we are capable of in the second, we would have come out with a point at the very least, maybe all three.

On this front things were disappointing, but at least we made an attempt to turn things around. Credit must go to the substitutes Miles, Ryan and Dan who gave of their all when they came on and helped to improve matters and of course man of the match Dave Smith.

FULL TIME: CFY 0-4 Whiteley