vs_Real_Sportsman(H)

16th September 2007 - Division 2

Sheppey FC 3 - 1 Real Sportsman

After the opening two matches of the season were postponed, Sheppey finally got their division 2 season underway with a comfortable home win against Real Sportsman. Kicking down the slope with a strong wind at their backs Sheppey made all the early running, creating several good openings but each time the final ball was lacking. Sportsman offered little in the opening quarter and it was no suprise when, on 17 minutes, Sheppey took the lead. Morris played the ball down the inside right channel for Chipchase who crossed low for Staniforth, his goalbound effort being helped into the net by a Sportsman defender. The goal briefly sparked some life into the Sportman ranks and they threatened for the only time in the half. A long ball from the back got them in behind the Sheppey defence but Wright came out to narrow the angle and saved well at his near post. Sheppey were growing increasingly frustrated at not being able to add to their lead, with Chipchase and Staniforth going close before Spence saw his freekick blocked on its way to goal. The wind was now beginning to play an increasing part in the game, with Spence's goal kicks reaching the edge of the Sportsman penalty area and a minute before the break this enabled Sheppey to double their lead. The goal kick was flicked on by a Sportman defender to the edge of the box where Dunhill was able to control the ball with his back to goal. As the keeper came out a quick one-two with Chipchase caught the keeper out of position

and Dunhill was able to lift the ball over the defender on the line.

HT 2-0

At the start of the second half the injured Mills was replaced by Ainsworth. Sheppey started confidently and created several half chances, Chipchase hooking a Morris cross from the left over and Reynolds seeing his effort from the edge of the box blocked by the Sportsman defence. Sheppey increased their lead on the hour, Richard Beecher turning smartly and hooking the ball home from six yards from a Staniforth long throw. Sportsman then had their best spell of the match. Aided by the strong wind they forced several corners and it was from one of these that Wright pulled of one of the saves of the season, tipping a fierce shot from ponit blank range onto the bar, Bradley blocking the follow-up. Minutes later Wright was greatful that Reynolds was able to head off the line after he had misjudged a cross from the right. Despite Sportsman putting the Sheppey rearguard under pressure, chances were still being created at the other end, Staniforth shooting narrowly wide when put through by Dunhill and Beecher should have done better when played through by Chipchase but although his first touch took him round the keeper it was too heavy and the ball rolled harmlessly out for a goal kick. Sportsman grabbed a consolation goal 10 minutes from time when a cross from the right was headed home by Pierpoint from 12 yards.

Team: Matt Wright, Jon Taylor, Richard Beecher, Matt Dunhill, Paul Bradley, Lewis Spence, Chris Morris, Mike Reynolds, Chris Staniforth, Tom Chipchase, Chris Mills (Russ Ainsworth 46)