Match Reports And Highlights
Colne FC
Date: Sat 13th September Competition: FA Cup 1st Qualifying Round Home/ Away: Home Score: 3-2 Attandence: 242
Match report taken from SheffieldFC.com
Sheffield eased into the next round of the cup following a comfortable enough victory over a lively Colne outfit. The Lancashire side stunned their higher league opponents by taking the lead inside the first five minutes, with Martin Broderick converting from the penalty spot. Two minutes later things were level as Daz Winter headed home, and on 20 minutes the hosts ad the lead when Mick Goddard finished following a ricochet. Five minutes later Sheffield all but wrapped up the result, when Scott Partridge headed in from close range.
Colne put up more resistance in the second period, forcing keeper Leigh Walker to make two outstanding saves, and gave themselves a bit of late hope of snatching a shock result, when Adam Whiteoak stabbed home a rebound three minutes from time.Sheffield kicked off, in this, their second game in this year's FA Cup competition. Despite early pressure it was the visitors who took the lead on 5 minutes with their first attack of the game, as Greg Wright brought down Garbutt in the area and the resulting spot kick was tucked away by BRODRICK despite the effort of Walker. Sheffield's response was swift, as, two minutes later the sides were level. A Hawes free kick out on the wing was headed home by WINTER. The midfielder went close moments later when a typical long range shot was just wide of the mark. Colne then had a chance to take the lead as Crorken's free kick found the head of an unmarked Nestor, but he put the effort wide. The host's took the lead on 20 minutes when a Colne clearance ricocheted against another defender and as the ball looped up into the air GODDARD was on hand to get it under control and slot home, despite Crossley's attempt to save it.
Sheffield were in control at this point, putting the North West Counties side under severe pressure and it was no surprise when they extended the lead on 26 minutes when good work from Roney saw his cross deep to the back post headed home by man of the match PARTRIDGE. Heffernan stopped the home side a few minutes later when Wooley's ball into the area was cleared by the Colne captain with two Sheffield players bearing down on goal. Both Ingall and Goddard then had chances go astray. Colne's only real effort was a Broderick free kick that Walker dropped as he fell heavily but Cruz missed the target. Sheffield carried on the second half on the attack and Partridge had the ball in the net two minutes after the restart, but the linesman’s flag had ruled the goal offside. Colne then went on the attack, gaining a free kick on the left side of the area, this was charged down, but Winter gave another free kick away, this time on the opposite side of the area. Crorken's effort looked to have found the top corner but Walker made a magnificent save to tip the ball to safety. Just past the hour mark a Roney free kick found Smith unmarked in the area but his header was over the bar. Wooley then had the 'keeper scrambling after he spilled the ball from the wingers effort. Five minutes later and he was at it again, this time cutting inside and avoiding two tackles before unleashing a shot just wide of the post. Despite all the pressure Sheffield couldn't make the breakthrough they richly deserved and had a scare on 77 minutes when Whiteoak broke free to cross into the area for Longley who was on his own, but he managed to put the ball over from eight yards out. Garbutt at least got his effort on target, making Walker dive low to his near post to turn the ball away for a corner. With the game entering the final stages, Partridge did well to hold the ball up for Woolley to run on to, and his first time shot was saved by the feet of Crossley. Colne made it a nail-biting finish as, on 84 minutes Hall's cross to Whiteoak saw his effort saved but the rebound was stabbed home by COCKETT. However, there was to be no dramatic fight-back for the visitors as Sheffield held on to secure their place in the next round.
Man of the Match: Scott Partridge
Sheffield FC: Walker, G.Smith, Boulter, Ingall, Wright, Winter (Davey), Roney (Outram), Hawes, Goddard (Sykes), Partridge, Woolley. Subs not Used: Furniss, Townsend, Dolby
Colne FC: Crossley, Hargreaves (Priestley), Heffernan, Broderick (Whiteoak), Nestor, Howarth, Cockett, Cruz, Garbutt, Hall, Crorken (Longley).Sub not Used: Brennan.
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Shepshed Dynamo FC
Date: 8th September 2008 Competition: UniBond Division One South Home/ Away: Home Score: 0-2 Attandence: 322
Match report taken from SheffieldFC.com
Sheffield FC might have beaten the weather this evening, but they came off second best against high-flying, big spending, Shepshed side this evening, losing 2-0 at a pretty soggy Bright Finance Stadium. This was a game that always looked to be a tougher prospect than last season’s form suggested, and two second half goals from Shane Benjamin saw Club’s worst fears realised, as the home team failed to break down a resolute and well drilled defence. The home side looked second best for much of this contest, yet when they did threaten the Leicestershire outfit, they were thwarted by some rather top-notch (and sometimes fortunate) goalkeeping by Chris Hateley. The early signs in this game were that Shepshed were a well organised side, one that could cause problems for the home team, and the visitors exploited the acres of space down the left wing given to Sam Saunders. It was through this channel that Dynamo exposed Sheffield, with Saunders providing several telling crosses that caused the hosts quite a few headaches, and Club could count themselves quite fortunate not to go in at the break behind. It was from a Sam Saunders header that produced a spectacular tip over the bar by Leigh Walker, and from the resultant corner the same player had the ball in the net, only to see it ruled out for pushing. Sheffield did a bit of threatening too, but never really tested the visitors’ keeper, with the best chance coming when Chris Hateley produced a good stop from Paul Smith after a corner wasn’t cleared effectively enough. But Shepshed were looking the better of the two sides by some distance, and could have gone ahead from a couple of chances, both of which were supplied by the visitors’ best player Sam Saunders. Firstly a cross from the left found his brother Ben in the middle, with his header just wide, and just before the interval another one from the same side found Shane Benjamin sliding in – with his effort rattling the frame of the goal with Walker beaten. If the first half had been sounded as a warning, it was one that wasn’t heeded by the home side, as within two minutes of the restart Dynamo were in front. Once again Sam Saunders was the provider, crossing in from the left side, and rising at the back post to head home was BENJAMIN – scoring in his fifth consecutive game. The goal jolted the hosts into life, and within seconds Club’s Steve Woolley had a shot tipped round the post by Chris Hateley, starting what seemed to be a pattern for the second half. The introduction of Steve Hawes added a bit more urgency for Sheffield, and with his influence the space, and chances started to be created. A Scott Partridge cross was met by the head of Daz Winter that was turned round the post spectacularly by Hateley, and the keeper had Lady Luck shining on him as a free-kick rebounded off Gavin Smith, the ball squirming under the body of the keeper before he pawed it off the line with Partridge ready to pounce. It was the Sheffield centre-forward that was directing most of the traffic from hereon in, with Partridge’s cross finding Asa Ingall’s head in the middle – producing yet another frustratingly good save from Hateley – and when a sweeping move involving Partridge and Roney put the ball on a plate for Goddard, Hateley was there again to deny the equaliser. But the threat of a second goal always loomed, and when pushing forward Dynamo were awarded a late penalty, BENJAMIN made no mistake in sending Walker the wrong way to secure all three points for Lee Wilson’s men.
Man of the Match: Daz Winter
Sheffield FC: Walker, G.Smith, P.Smith, Davey, Wright, Winter, Woolley (Roney), Ingall ©, Goddard, Partridge, Townsend (Hawes). Subs Not Used: Boulter, Outram, Dolby.
Shepshed Dynamo: Hateley, Powell, Fletcher, Screaton ©, Millns, Robinson, Norris (Frecklington), Marshall (Magee), Benjamin, B.Saunders (Menga), S.Saunders. Subs Not Used: Wilkins, Walker.
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AFC Fylde
Date: 2nd September 2008 Competition: FA Cup Preliminary Round Replay Home/ Away: Home Score: 4-0 Attendance: 285
Match report taken from SheffieldFC.com
Club made it safely into the next round of the FA Cup tonight, as they convincingly beat AFC Fylde 4-0, in a fierce contest at the Bright Finance Stadium this evening. Leading the way with a two goal salvo was Mick Goddard, whose strikes in the 15th and 87th minutes were his first in competitive football for Sheffield, with goals from Gavin Smith and Daz Winter wrapping up an easy win. The visitors were never likely to repeat their performance of Saturday, as the hosts were in control of proceedings from the off, and a stout defensive performance allowed keeper Leigh Walker the opportunity of his first clean sheet of the season. Sadly though the contest is likely to be remembered for the home following for the host of rash tackles AFC produced, and the under-par performance from the officials, as frustration started to get the better of the visitors. Luckily though both of these memories have been rendered irrelevant by the ease of this victory, and the knowledge that Sheffield have safe passage to the next round, where they will meet Colne FC of the NWCFL.
It has to be said that Sheffield had to work hard to break down the resilient defensive line, and were thwarted several times in the opening ten minutes by some sound tackling, along with some tactical nous that frustrated Club’s efforts. But on the first occasion the hosts wandered into opposition territory and threatened the goal – they scored – as a typical Paul Smith cross was met by a typical header by Asa Ingall, who headed it across the face of goal for GODDARD, who is deadly from six inches. Fylde did throw themselves forward in an attempt to get back in the game, but at no time did they ever really come close, as everything was stifled by am alert performance from Peter Davey and Greg Wright – who it seemed were alive to everything. But as everything was being blocked at the home end, it wasn’t so at the other as the Smiths were at it again on 32 minutes following a foul on Mick Goddard, Paul floated it in and Gav ghosted in unmarked for another SMITH headed goal. At 2-0 Sheffield looked at ease and it should been three very early on after the restart, as good work from Outram and Goddard found Partridge in the middle, with the striker dinking the ball over Sommerfield – sadly though the goal was ruled questionably offside. It wasn’t to matter though as it was three on the hour, as Partridge burst into box and sent the ball into the middle, the increasingly nervous looking Sommerfield failed to hold the ball under little pressure and WINTER slammed through the crowd of players into the net. Sheffield sat back and soaked up a bit of pressure, and nearly paid the price for taking their foot off the gas, as Gavin Smith had to clear off the line from Phil Blackwell. Club had a couple of efforts go close, Sommerfield finally made a save from a tame Janni Lipka effort, whilst Matt Roney had everyone diving for cover with a shot that sailed inches over. Unfortunately the game started to degenerate somewhat and the referee lost a bit of control of matters, as tempers started to fray a little, and some very poor challenges were being let off very lightly. With three minutes to go it was all wrapped up, as Matt Outram was bundled over in the box by a Fylde defender, it seemed a little harsh but GODDARD wasn’t showing any remorse from the spot – giving the keeper no hope at all. This was as easy as the scoreline suggests, Fylde looked nothing like the threat they did on Saturday, and the gulf in class really did tell this time. Overall, this is the kind of result that Club needed to get things back on track and they will go in to Saturday’s game at Loughborough Dynamo with renewed confidence.
BTF Club Man of the Match – Paul Smith
Sheffield FC: Walker, G.Smith, P.Smith, Davey, Wright, Winter (Lipka), Outram, Ingall ©, Goddard, Partridge (Townsend), Woolley (Roney). Subs Not Used: Gelsthorpe, Furniss.
AFC Fylde: Sommerfield, McNiven, Moran (Patterson), Shaw ©, Thompson, Palmer (Lawler), Clark, Horsfall, Blackwell, Wane, Walwyn (Rowe). Subs Not Used: Sheppard, Keefe, Allen, Savlear.
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AFC Fylde
Date: 30th August 2008 Competition: FA Cup Preliminary Round Home/ Away: Away Score: 1-1 Attendance: 291
Match report taken from SheffieldFC.com
They say there’s nothing like a good FA Cup tie to get the juices flowing, and today was no exception, as Kellamergh Park witness the proverbial classic this afternoon. It was one-each after ninety minutes of pulsating cup football, with nothing to show between two very good sides in an end to end contest, a game that both Sheffield FC and AFC Fylde could consider to have been theirs in the bag. It had everything, end-to-end football, red cards and penalty saves – and not one of those present could feel short changed wfith their admission money. It all came to life in the second half really, as first Club’s Paul Smith hit the post with a penalty, then Fylde’s Richard Allen was shown his marching orders for a tackle that ended Gavin Smith’s afternoon. From the resultant free kick Fylde were punished, as Asa Ingall headed Club in front in the 77th minute, before Wembley hero Matt Walwyn restored parity from the spot five minutes later. It means that this goes to a replay on Tuesday night at the BFS, with the winners earning a home tie against Colne, who turned in an impressive 5-0 away victory at Formby.
This game was always going to be tight, and those who thought it was going to be a cakewalk for either side were in for a rude awakening, as both Sheffield and Fylde looked to bounce back from their respective defeats last weekend. Returning for Club this afternoon following suspension and injury was Darryl Winter, and it was he that made the first impact on the day’s proceedings, having his effort deflected onto the bar after a Paul Smith free kick. Fylde proved they were no mugs, and Mark Wane went close as he lashed a shot across the face of the Sheffield goal, after a little flick had seen last season’s top scorer put through on goal. Scott Partridge and Gary Townsend worked well together to set Asa Ingall up with a chance, on that the Sheffield skipper whizzed just over the bar, whilst at the other end Wane’s cross was put into the side netting by the head of Richard Allen. It was too hard to call as to who had the upper hand, but a tight first half ended with the hosts on the offensive as a Michael Clark corner was glanced just wide, by the head of Phil Thompson. If the first half was a tame but tense affair, the second half came to life as both teams stepped up the tempo, with the visitors in particular looking the most dangerous early on. Mick Goddard had more time on the ball than he realised as he turned a shot over the bar four minutes after the restart, then moments later Scott Partridge looped a shot over the bar, after making just enough space to force one on the turn. Seconds after Club were awarded a penalty, as Scott Partridge turned the home skipper Dougie Shaw for a clear run on goal, only to be hauled down by the defender in a desperate last ditch attempt to stop the Sheffield forward. Normally when the reliable Paul Smith steps up to the mark it would be all over, but after sending keeper Pete Sommerfield the wrong way, the ball hit the post with the rebound headed over by the penalty taker (yes, it wouldn’t have counted if Smith had headed the rebound, but the miss was still frustrating).
The reprieve seemed to inspire the hosts to kick-start their game, and as the game stepped up its pace, the chances started coming thick and fast. Phil Blackwell was denied not once – but twice – as first Greg Wright bravely blocked his first effort, then seconds later the forward hit the bar with a solid attacking header. This was never going to end goal-less, and when Gav Smith’s trickery down the right was met by a rash and dangerous high tackle on his shin by Richard Allen, there was only one decision the referee was going to make. So Fylde were down to ten men, and with a Paul Smith free-kick to defend, it was always going to be a tall order – too tall in fact – as INGALL rose in the box like a salmon to head home. No-one was going to be confident to say Sheffield were home and dry, and they could only hold onto the lead for five more minutes, as Martin Moran’s cross seemed to strike Greg Wright in the box. The linesman had no hesitation in awarding a handball decision for the referee, and having showed coolness and composure at Wembley only a few months ago, WALWYN was calmness personified as he planted the penalty down the middle. It seemed that it wasn’t going to end there; as Phil Thompson was on hand to scramble the ball off the line, as Steve Woolley’s cross confused keeper Peter Sommerfield along with everyone else. And if Sheffield felt they could have stolen it – then so could the hosts – as Joe Booth squared to Mark Wane, whose effort hit the upright, then Martin Moran set up Matt Walwyn with a chance, one that was smothered by a great save from Leigh Walker. And that was the last of the action, in a great game that both teams could have won, but neither feel they should have lost.
It sets up the scene for another big match on Tuesday at the Bright Finance Stadium, with the prize a nice little home tie against Colne of the NWCFL, and the potential for a good cup run. Overall the draw was a fair result, and both teams will relish another bite of the cherry, in front of a hopefully bumper crowd in downtown Dronfield. With a little luck the replay should suit Sheffield better, as Fylde will be without Joe Booth, who has an imminent suspension starting Monday, whilst keeper Pete Sommerfield was in great discomfort with a leg injury sustained early in the first half – rating his chances of starting as slim – and his cover between the sticks Joe Abbott also suspended, it gives manager Mick Fuller an unenviable situation. As I say, “with a little luck”, as with FA Cup football – you never know what’s coming next…
AFC Fylde: Sommerfield, McNiven, Moran, Thompson, Shaw ©, Booth, Clark (Horsfall), Allen, Blackwell, Wane, Patterson (Walwyn). Subs Not Used: Keefe, Shepherd, Lawler.
Sheffield FC: Walker, G.Smith (Lipka), P.Smith, Ingall ©, Wright, Winter, Outram (Roney), Goddard, Partridge, Townsend (Woolley). Subs Not Used: Furniss, Dolby.
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Spalding United
Date: 25th August 2008
Competition: UniBond Division One South
Home/ Away: Away
Score: 2-1
Attendance: 163
Match report taken from SheffieldFC.com
The luck couldn’t last, after two late rescues that salvaged lost causes in the last week, it was third time unlucky for Sheffield FC as they fell to a revitalised Spalding United team. In a scrappy game, and with Club playing well below par, the Tulips turned the form book upside down to record a surprise 2-1 victory. After falling behind to a 19th minute goal from Ricky Miller, an equaliser from Scott Partridge seemed to have turned things around for the visitors, but as Sheffield pressed forward they were hit by a sucker punch from Martin Wormall in the 76th minute. It was a rather uninspiring display from Chris Dolby’s charges, and one that sees Club fall from top spot to fifth place, and ending their unbeaten start to the season.
As with last season’s corresponding fixture, this was a game where the stiff breeze had a big influence on the game; however the scrappy standard of football served up from both sides could hardly be blamed on the conditions. Sheffield as expected were the team to do the majority of the pressing, although some of the final balls were well below the par of the players that were delivering, and many failing to beat the first man. Midway through the first half Spalding ventured out of their own half, and with their first attack got themselves on the score sheet, as the skipper Stanhope sent a ball into the box and MILLER steered it home with a flick header. Club came back at the Lincolnshire outfit and within ten minutes they were level after Gav Smith was hacked down at the edge of the box, Paul Smith’s free-kick was blocked by Scott Partridge, but PARTRIDGE showed great awareness and skill to turn the ball into the net. Sheffield could have gone into the break ahead, with Partridge hooking the ball back across the face of the goal, only for Peter Davey to scuff the finish.
Spalding were a better proposition in the second period, and went close with a couple of decent efforts as first Andy Stanhope rasped a shot inches over, and Adam Jones’ header went over the bar moments later. Luke McShane got down well to deny Steve Woolley’s snap-shot, whilst Sheffield’s best chance came as Matt Roney took the ball round the keeper, and Scott Partridge’s subsequent shot was blocked on the line. Substitute Mick Goddard had a volley spectacularly tipped over the top by McShane, and from the resultant corner Asa Ingall saw his header cleared off the line by Nicky Hurst, it looked promising but Club seemed to be lacking that vital edge to get ahead. With fifteen minutes to go Sheffield were hit by a sucker punch as Gavin Smith and Asa Ingall combined to mess up a routine clearance, substitute Kevin Ward capitalised and tore down the left wing, and his cross allowed WORMALL the luxury of a simple tap-in to give Spalding an unlikely lead. The visitors did manage to get the ball in the back of the net, as a Roney cross was headed back across the goal by Goddard, sadly Partridge’s header into the empty net was met by a linesman’s flag. It was a last chance for Sheffield, and Spalding did what was needed to close the game down, giving the Tulips their first home league win since the beginning of April 2007.
BTF Club Man of the Match - Scott Partridge
Spalding United: McShane, Jones, Tocco, Carey (Ward), Julian, Hurst, Stanhope (Blake), Miller, Kennedy, Wormall (Allen), Reeves. Subs Not Used: O'Neill, Roberts.
Sheffield FC: Walker, G.Smith, P.Smith, Ingall (Wright), Boulter, Davey, Outram, Townsend, Partridge, Carney (Goddard), Woolley (Roney). Subs Not Used: Lipka, Dolby.
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Quorn
Date: 23rd August 2008
Competition: UniBond Division One South
Home/ Away: Home
Score: 3-1
Attendance: 408
Match report taken from SheffieldFC.com
Club got an amazing get out of jail this afternoon, at the Bright Finance Stadium, as they produced a late-late show to take all three points against a gutsy Quorn outfit. In a classic game of two halves, Quorn raced out of the blocks grabbing a goal from Justin Jenkins on 21 minutes, and looked to be sailing away with an unlikely victory. However the late introduction of Matt Roney to the game changed the complexion dramatically, with the live-wire winger grabbing two excellent solo strikes, whilst he was involved in the build up to Paul Smith’s penalty spot success. It seemed rough justice for the Leicestershire outfit, and at the same time Club will be wondering how they got away with this, as well as showing an amazing resilience and a never-say-die attitude.
The visitors didn’t look like a team that hadn’t started the season in the best of form, and they took charge of this game early on, getting Sheffield on the back foot with some very sharp and dangerous attacks with the front two of Justin Jenkins and Liam Hearn looking particularly menacing. Leigh Walker had to be alert early on, as a free kick from Nick Hawkins was whipped in from the left, with the Sheffield keeper leaping acrobatically to tip the ball over the bar. Midway through the half Quorn snatched a well deserved lead, as Hawkins chipped a sweet little ball through the middle to JENKINS, with the striker showing great poise to stand up Walker and pick his spot with the coolest of finishes. It was no more than the visitors deserved, and although it sparked Club into life, Quorn looked steady and organised and unlikely to concede. As time was running out on the half Sheffield threatened, with Steve Woolley’s cross being cheekily flicked goalwards by Mick Goddard, and Sean Bowles in the visitors’ goal had to be sharp with an excellent reflex save. Bowles was turning out to be having the performance of the day, denying everything that was thrown at him, and making it look anything like it was going to be Sheffield’s day. He produced a list of quality stops, with the best in the first half being from the head of Mick Goddard, following great build up from Steve Woolley, Matt Outram and Asa Ingall. Quorn nearly made it too much of a mountain to climb for the hosts, as a break down the right found the ball landing to Leon Darby, whose volley was held by Leigh Walker when any spill would have resulted in a sure-fire second goal.
If the first half was all Quorn, the second was categorically all Sheffield, but the structure of the game had a strange similarity to the Carlton game the previous Tuesday. As much as Sheffield plugged away, the less likely it looked that they would be rewarded with a goal for all their efforts, and nothing gave any indication of the events to come so late in the piece. Mick Goddard sent a cross into the box that was hooked over his shoulder by Scott Partridge – that went wide – whilst a Paul Smith free-kick was spectacularly turned from the top corner by Sean Bowles, and the keeper denied Gary Townsend with his foot after being found with a ball over the top. The frustration was starting to show as time-wasting tactics were being used, and when Asa Ingall’s header was cleared off the line by something that suspiciously looked like a hand, it had disappointment written all over it. Then the introduction of Matt Roney came into play, and although he didn’t produce much for the first few minutes of his appearance, he more than made up for it with the last few minutes of it. With five to go and with nothing on RONEY picked up the ball on the left, beating three players before letting rip from twenty yards, giving Bowles literally no chance and seemingly salvaging an unlikely point for the home side. Two minutes later all the good work Sean Bowles had do in the previous 88 were undone in one moment of madness; throwing the ball half-heartedly to a defender, Roney capitalised and intercepted to send in a pinpoint cross to Scott Partridge who was clattered in the back by a clumsy Adam Wigley challenge. Referee Smith had no doubt in pointing to the spot, and PAUL SMITH had no doubt in planting the perfect penalty into the bottom corner; hardly justice but the turnaround was complete. And to rub salt into already raw wounds, with Quorn pushing everyone forward a long ball over the top found RONEY, and with Bowles and his defenders hesitating the substitute drilled the ball straight through from a tight angle and into the net – giving a rather stilted scoreline to a very even game.
BTF Club Man of The Match – Matt Roney
Sheffield FC: Walker, G.Smith, Ingall ©, Wright, Davey, Outram, Townsend, Goddard (Lipka), Partridge, Woolley (Roney). Subs Not Used: Boulter, Carney, Dolby.
Quorn: Bowles, Shaw (Byrne), Peel, Wigley, Hart, North, Darby, Doughty, Jenkins (Turner), Hearn, Hawkins (Marriott). Sub Not Used: Gould.
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Carlton Town
Date: 19th August 2008
Competition: UniBond Division One South
Home/ Away: Home
Score: 2-2
Attendance: 480
Match report taken from SheffieldFC.com
Club will be relieved to get this one out of the way, as former bogey side Carlton Town made Sheffield fight for all their worth tonight at the BFS, with the hosts snatching a point with a late Scott Partridge after falling behind to a typically tenacious performance by the Nottingham side. A first half Vill Powell goal looked to have set Sheffield up for a more comfortable than usual evening against this opposition; however two stunning goals against the run of play from substitute Martin Ball and Grant Brindley put Club on the rack, and the Millers put up the usual defensive resilience that had frustrated Sheffield FC so many times in the past. Making matters worse for the home side was the injury to popular striker Vill Powell, who left the ground in an ambulance following a collision with the visiting keeper Alessandro Barcherini, with a suspected broken leg the first worrying reports.
Despite these two teams having results on Saturday poles apart from each other, based on previous encounters, this was always going to be a close one. And it was the visitors who were the first to worry the large attendance, as a Fabian Smith cross totally baffled everyone, forcing Sheffield keeper Leigh Walker to make a spectacular palm over. Club started to try and get their act together, but as on previous occasions Carlton played the high defensive offside trap, that frustrated the hosts once again. Sheffield did manage to get the ball in the back of the net, as Vill Powell got on the end of a Scott Partridge through ball, sadly though the linesman had spotted Powell straying the narrowest of margins offside. The Millers still posed a threat with their pressure, and Darryl Thomas capitalised on a stray Peter Davey pass, with Walker having to make another fine save. That was the last involvement Davey had in the game, as he hobbled off the pitch with a hamstring injury, leaving the hosts with a defensive issue causing them to reshuffle the side. It didn’t seem to harm matters though, as just on the half hour mark Partridge sent another defence splitting pass, this time POWELL was onside and he made no mistake as he slotted the ball under the advancing Barcherini.
The goal advantage by no means flattered the hosts, but the general feeling was that this wasn’t going to be a repeat of Saturday’s walkover at Gresley, such was the threat of the visitors. But the way the second period started, it looked as if this could be a little more comfortable than encounters in the past, as Sheffield found more opportunities to get behind the visitors’ defence. It was perilously close to being two-nil, after Willis Francis hacked Gary Townsend at the edge of the box, Paul Smith rattled the bar with the free-kick with the keeper nowhere. Matty Outram and Matt Roney combined with a free-kick, causing all manner of problems in the Carlton defence, with skipper Danny Caine forcing Alessandro Barcherini to make a reflex save. It was pretty obvious that lady luck was shining on Carlton, but nothing could legislate for the long ball over the top of the Sheffield defence on the hour, with BALL hitting it first time to loop freakishly over Walker’s head into the far corner. The goal seemed to give the Millers added impetus, and moments later they had the lead, as Terry Hawkridge’s corner was met by a towering header from BRINDLEY. Club’s luck seemed to have abandoned them on all fronts, and when Powell and Barcherini went for a 50-50 ball on the edge of the area, the sickening collision saw the Sheffield man carried from the field with a serious looking leg injury. What did happen though was the tide completely turned, and as Carlton reverted to type with the high defensive line, they were punished by referee Marshall for some industrial tackling. A series of free kicks from Paul Smith had Town on the back foot, with Mick Goddard going closest by getting on the end with a diving header, and Alessandro Barcherini having to be at his best with a classy one handed save. Five minutes from time another Smith free kick was fumbled out by Barcherini, following up was PARTRIDGE, who showed remarkable composure by chipping over the keeper from six yards out. Sheffield could have snatched it moments later, as Paul Smith pounced on a defensive slip to square the ball to Mick Goddard who was steaming in on goal, amazingly the striker’s effort went flying over the bar – and the points were shared.
Sheffield FC: Walker, G.Smith, P.Smith, Davey (Roney), Wright, Ingall ©, Outram, Townsend, Powell (Goddard), Partridge, Woolley. Subs Not Used: Lipka, Carney, Dolby.
Carlton Town: Barcherini, F.Smith, Fenton, Brindley, Caine ©, Francis (Ball), M.Smith, Gent, Chaplin, Darryl Thomas (Hawkridge), Brady (Walters). Subs Not Used: Dom Thomas, Martin.
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Gresley Rovers
Date: 16th August 2008
Competition: UniBond Division One South
Home/ Away: Away
Score: 5-2
Attendance: 285
Match report taken from SheffieldFC.com
Lethal! That’s the way to describe today’s performance in the first hour from Sheffield Club, as they ran five goals past Gresley Rovers in sixty minutes without reply, at the Moat Ground this afternoon. The last ten minutes saw a different side as the visitors took their foot off the gas, allowing David Blenkinsopp to put a couple of goals on the scoreboard, giving the overall result a heck more respectability that neither team deserved. Leading the rampage for Sheffield was the strike partnership of Vill Powell (28 mins and 52 mins) and Scott Partridge (12 mins and 55 mins), grabbing two goals each, whilst Asa Ingall snatched a typical Salmon-esque effort after 59 minutes. But it wasn’t only the goal-scoring that caught the eye this afternoon; an outstanding performance from debutant keeper Leigh Walker between the sticks raised more than a few eyebrows, whilst at the back Greg Wright and Peter Davey put in an almost faultless display in the centre of defence.
An unusually early kick off for this game gave the ideal opportunity to kick-start the UniBond Division One South season off with the first goal of the campaign, and Sheffield didn’t disappoint as at just five minutes past the hour they were off the mark, with Gav Smith, Vill Powell and Scott Partridge all taking part in some neat inter-play in the Gresley box – with PARTRIDGE taking the honours with a top class finish that made the net bulge with the finishing shot. The hosts had a chance to level matters moments later, as a cross from the right by Tom Liversage found the head of Jamie Barrett who’d wandered up the park, fortunately for Club the effort sailed just over the bar. Any worries Sheffield had about any resistance were short-lived, and midway through the half it was two, as Matty Outram leaped two hacked challenges to square the ball to POWELL who slammed the ball home past the despairing defence. At this point it has to be said that Gresley were well and truly shell-shocked; however they still managed to test Leigh Walker with a couple of efforts – the best coming from Jamie Barrett, whose shot from thirty yards out was tipped over in spectacular fashion. Such was Sheffield’s dominance in this half, they really could have gone in the dressing rooms four or five in front, and the fact they didn’t was down to some excellent keeping from last season’s ever-present custodian Dave Clarke. In a crazy two minute period just before the break Clarke had to prove his worth; the first came when Matty Outram crossed to Scott Partridge who’s volley was palmed out acrobatically by Clarke, Vill Powell followed up the rebound with a volley of his own – which was again tipped over the bar with an even better save. Powell and Partridge combined together to test Clarke again, with Partridge’s chip being turned wide of the post by the keeper, denying another almost certain goal. Down the other end of the slope Leigh Walker was doing his reputation no harm, pulling off another fantastic one-handed save, after David Blenkinsopp tried to convert a pin-point cross from Brian Woodall.
The only way to describe the start to this second half is “awesome”, as Club blew the hosts away with a master-class in finishing, leaving Rovers chasing shadows. It took no more than a few minutes of the half for Sheffield to wrap the points up once and for all, as POWELL showed great balance and poise to turn Miles Chamberlain to get a shot on goal, a shot that squirmed embarrassingly under the body of Clarke and into the net. Three became four moments later, as Steve Woolley and Gavin Smith played a little interchange of passes in the area before squaring to PARTRIDGE, who hooked the ball into the far corner of the net. Still, even at 0-4 down Rovers kept on plugging away, and Walker had to be on top for to pull another one-handed save from Blenkinsopp. But that was a mere punctuation in the one-way traffic that was heading down both flanks, and it was five moments later when Paul Smith coasted down the left wing, pulling out a perfect cross that found INGALL rising at the back stick to plant a header in the back of the net as sweet as you like. Obviously when you are five-nil up, and with a game in the diary for Tuesday, you are going to make some energy-saving changes – and that’s what Chris Dolby did – and Gresley boss Gary Norton must have been delighted to see the back of Scott Partridge and Matty Outram, who’d tormented the hosts all afternoon. But naturally when you make wholesale changes the team is likely to go off the boil, and apart from a Steve Woolley chip that was headed off the line by the skipper Jamie Hood, there was very little in the way of adding to that total. Gresley managed to grab two late consolations against the run of play, as a rare lack of concentration saw Robbie Banks put in a cross to BLENKINSOPP, who got in behind the defence to sweep home at the near post. In injury time BLENKINSOPP got a second, as a ball into the box bobbled around for a bit, before being stabbed home by the prolific striker.
Gresley Rovers: Clarke, Barrett, Wilson, Chamberlain, Hood ©, Slater, Hancock, Saunders (Lyons), Woodall (Lock), Blenkinsopp, Liversage (Banks). Subs Not Used: Douglas, White.
Sheffield FC: Walker, G.Smith, P.Smith, Davey, Wright, Ingall (Townsend), Outram (Roney), Hawes ©, Powell, Partridge (Goddard), Woolley. Subs Not Used: Lipka, Dolby.
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