vs_Maltby_Juniors

12th August 2007 - Len Webb Group Match 3

Sheppey FC 6 - 2 Maltby Juniors U18's

Sheppey made four changes to the side that had comprehensively beaten Manor Hotel the previous day, Paul Wright, Ainsworth, Bradley and Alexander coming in for Mallender, Spence, Mills and Harrison. Kicking with the slope it was Sheppey who fashioned the first chance, Chipchase racing clear only to drive his shot wide of the far post. At the other end Matt Wright was down sharply to deny Juniors' number 9. Sheppey made the breakthrough on 10 minutes, Chipchase sidefooting home Popplewell's deep cross from the right. At times Sheppey looked like a team that had played twice in two days and were having to dig deep against the youthful exuberience of the Juniors. With 22 minutes played a long throw from Reynolds appeared to bounce straight into the net and although Beecher tried to claim he had touched the ball with his head, a goal kick was the outcome. A much needed second goal finally came on the half hour, Chipchase turning home from 6 yards from a Staniforth long throw. A mix-up in the Juniors defence gifted Sheppey a third goal on 35 minutes. Popplewell's cross from the right caused confusion between goalkeeper and defender and Staniforth was on hand to stab the loose ball home from 12 yards. HT 3-0.

Sheppey started the second half the stronger, Dunhill's long diagonal ball sent Alexander down the left hand channel but

his left foot shot was always rising and didn't trouble the keeper. On the hour Chris Beech replaced Popplewell on the right flank and Harrison replaced Ainsworth at left back two minutes later. Moments later Staniforth latched onto strike partner Chipchase's chip and coolly lobbed the keeper from the edge of the penalty area for his sixth goal in two games. Four minutes later Staniforth was again on the scoresheet, heading a freekick past the stranded Wright and into his own net (who told him to come back and defend? Beecher?) With 20 minutes left to play Veal replaced Alexander on the left and immediately went close with a trade mark curling free kick which the keeper tipped onto the bar and out for a corner. Barely a minute later Sheppey made sure of the points. Reynolds turned his marker inside out before delivering a low cross across the six yard box for Chipchase to guide home to complete his hat-trick. Eight minutes from time Chipchase added his fourth of the match and eighth in three games, taking his shot early from the edge of the box. To their credit Juniors didn't stop fighting and were rewarded with a second goal five minutes from time.

Team: Matt Wright, Paul Wright (Richard Connolly 71), Russ Ainsworth (Craig Harrison 62), Matt Dunhill, Richard Beecher, Paul Bradley, Richard Popplewell (Chris Beech 60), Mike Reynolds, Chris Staniforth (Adam Colclough 85), Tom Chipchase, Ashley Alexander (Phil Veal 70)