vs_Whiston(H)

11th November 2007 - Division 2

Sheppey FC 3-2 Whiston

In probably their most lacklustre performance of the season so far, Sheppey preserved their 100% league record thanks to Chris Morris's ninth goal in seven games. Morris popped up to head home with only three minutes left on the clock.

Kicking down the slope in the first half Sheppey were a shadow of their usual selves, Whiston winning all the second balls and generally looking the better side. Indeed it was no suprise when the visitors took the lead on 23 minutes. Not for the first time Sheppey were sloppy in possession, allowing Whiston to easily take control of the ball and from the resulting right wing cross the ball was stabbed home at the far post. The goal seemed to spark Sheppey into life, Morris sending Walker away down the middle but the Sheppey striker saw his first effort blocked by the keeper and his second cannon off the inside of the post, Chris Beech just unable to pick up the loose ball as the Whiston defence cleared. Jon Taylor then headed over from the resulting corner. 10 minutes from half time the woodwork again came to the rescue of the visitors. Morris's cross from the right was headed out as far as Dunhill, his 20 yard shot crashing back of the angle of post and bar with the keeper beaten. So, for the second home game in succession Sheppey found themselves behind at half time.

HT 0-1

There was a renewed vigour about Sheppey at the start of the second half and with only seven minutes of it played they were infront. Chris Beech played the ball in from the left to Chipchase, who flicked the ball over his marker before hitting a right foot volley from the edge of the box. Although the keeper made an outstanding save, Morris was on hand to knock the ball into the unguarded net. Straight from the kick off Dunhill won the ball in the centre circle and fed Chris Beech on the left. The diminutive winger cut inside and carried the ball past two defenders before playing in Chipchase who was able to lob the keeper from the edge of the box for his tenth of the season. Sheppey then went back into the shell they had been hiding in for much off the first half, thus allowing their opponents back into the game. Whiston duly took control and levelled the match 15 minutes from time. A long ball down the inside left channel wasn't dealt with bythe Sheppey defence and the ball was stabbed home from 15 yards with Wright wrong footed. Just as the match was seemingly heading for a draw, Dunhill played the ball over the top for Morris to head over the advancing goalkeepe for the winner.

Team: Matt Wright, Paul Wright, Richard Beecher, Matt Dunhill, Paul Bradley, Jon Taylor, Chris Morris, Mike Reynolds (Chris Staniforth 75), Craig Walker, Tom Chipchase, Chris Beech