vs_Haynook

4th August 2007 - Len Webb Group Match 1

Sheppey FC 4 - 1 Maltby Haynook

Sheppey opened their Len Webb campaign with a well deserved 4-1 victory over the Haynook. Tom Chipchase opened the scoring after just 10 minutes, latching onto a perfectly weighted ball from Mike Reynolds before clinically despatching his shot across the keeper and into the bottom left hand corner. Five minutes later it should have been 2-0, but Chipchase saw his effort from 10 yards dribble past the right hand post with the net unguarded. The pace of Chipchase and strike partner Chris Beech continued to cause the Haynook rearguard problems, the latter going close twice in quick succession, first overhitting his attempted lob and then seeing his goalbound effort tipped round the post by the keeper. At the other end, the new look central defence of Mallender and Spence looked solid, limiting the Haynook to shots from long range, goalkeeper Matt Wright tipping a speculative effort from Paul Rotherforth over the bar before sharply reacting to a nasty bounce from an Adam Holdsworth shot. Sheppey increased their lead in the 39th minute. After a foul on Chris Mills wide on the left, Matt

Dunhill's whipped freekick was volleyed home by right back Richard Beecher from 6 yards. HT 2-0.

The start of the 2nd half saw the injured Nick Mallender replaced at centre half by Paul Bradley. The Haynook started the 2nd half the brighter but were unable to force an opening to really test the Sheppey defence. As the half progressed Sheppey began to force the pace and a flurry of corners saw Popplewell and Mills have efforts saved by the keeper. Sheppey manager Allen then began ringing the changes, with Veal, Ainsworth, Alexander and Keens replacing Harrison, Mills, Popplewell & Beech respectively. On 66 minutes the result was put beyond any reasonable doubt as Chipchase fired home his second of the game, driving home from 20 yards. With 12 minutes left to play the Haynook pulled a goal back, Meehan heading home a cross from the left from 6 yards. With 84 minutes played Sheppey made doubley sure of the points when Keens slotted home a cross from the right from strike partner Chipchase.

Team: Matt Wright, Richard Beecher, Craig Harrison (Russ Ainsworth 75), Matt Dunhill, Nick Mallender (Paul Bradley 46), Lewis Spence, Richard Popplewell (Ashley Alexander 71), Mike Reynolds, Chris Beech (Johnny Keens 69), Tom Chipchase, Chris Mills (Phil Veal 71)