vs_Maltby_miners

19th August 2007 - Len Webb Group Match 5

Sheppey FC 5 - 1 Maltby Miners Welfare A

Sheppey booked their place in the Len Webb Semi Finals with a comfortable win, thus ending the Miners hopes of qualification. The game started slowly, both teams playing the ball around without creating many chances. When Sheppey took the lead on 17 minutes there was a touch of fortune about the goal. Dunhill played the ball to Alexander wide on the right, his cross to the back post was overhit and sailed over the keeper before nestling in the top left hand corner. Six minutes later Alexander was again in the thick of the action, his mazy run past to defenders ended with Staniforth shooting wide from the edge of the box. However, Sheppey only had to wait 2 minutes for their second. The Miners defence all missed Staniforth's cross from the left, allowing Popplewell to latch onto the loose ball before driving low to the keepers right from 18 yards. On 35 minutes Popplewell scored the goal of the game. After he himslef had been fouled 25 yards from goal, he drilled the resulting free kick hard and low into the bottom corner. Two minutes later it could and probably should have been 4-0. Reynolds crossfield pass from the left found Dunhill unmarked on the edge of the box, the midfielder opting to hot the ball first time saw his rising half volley clip the top of the crossbar. HT 3-0

Much like the first the second half started slowly, Sheppey content to knock the ball about knowing that the Miners needed to push forward if they still harboured any serious hopes of progressing to the semi finals. Phil Veal had Sheppey's first real chance of the second period, firing his 20 yard free kick inches over the bar. On the hour mark Ainsworth was replaced by Harrison. The substitute

subsequenlty playing on the left wing with Veal dropping into left back. Harrison was immediately in on the action as his shot from just inside the box was tipped over by the keeper after a flowing move involving Reynolds and Staniforth. The resulting corner was headed inches wide by Spence. With 20 minutes left on the clock Sheppey ended any hope the Miners had of a comeback with a fourth goal. Dunhill played a long ball between defender and full back for Alexander who slid the ball past the onrushing keeper. Three minutes later Harrison again went close, using his pace to get beyond the full back before hitting his shot into the side netting. Colclough replaced Popplewell in attack for the last 15 minutes and it was his pass to Reynolds that allowed the midfield man to break into the box and play the ball to Staniforth who was certain to score from 6 yards until he was flattend from behind by a Miners defender. Usual penalty taker Staniforth relinquished responsibility for the Spot kick to Alexander, giving the winger the chance to complete his hattrick. His spot kick was poor, allowing the keeper to parry but he duly tucked away the rebound. With nine minutes left to play Matt Wright was called into action for the first time as he dived to his left to palm away a glancing header. As the game entered injuring time Miners midfielder was sent off by referee Carratt, presumably for something he has said to the official. With the last kick of the game Miners scored a consolation goal as Taylor's back header didn't have the pace to reach Matt Wright and although the big keeper was out quickly to narrow the angle, Mark Trowell was able to lift the ball into the net.

Team: Matt Wright, Paul Wright, Russ Ainsworth (Craig Harrison 60), Matt Dunhill, Lewis Spence, Jon Taylor, Ashley Alexander, Mike Reynolds, Chris Staniforth, Richard Popplewell (Adam Colclough 75), Phil Veal