Boro 4 Durham City 2

A classic home win with two from Drew.

Tuesday 24 February 2009

Blankety Blank


No cheque book and pen for this home display,in what would be a beat the keeper competition. An outstanding display of goalkeeping from Warrington Towns Richard Mottram was to be appreciated by the home crowd but not welcomed. The two clubs both formed in 1949 start the game second and third bottom of the league both sides only scoring 27 in the campaign so far. A lowly crowd of117 saw Phil Priestley the first keeper in action when he spread himself well to block the shot of Phil Howard who latched on to a ball over the shoulder of Si Kelly. The number ten of Boro brings a save from Mottram quickly after , the trademark flick by Roscoe setting him up. The game show is set with forwards and defenders all about to gamble. Mark Jones flys on to a loose ball that gets a bobble to see his shot high over the bar, with the crowd shouting "lower, lower" . Town are on the edge of Priestleys box but only offer a weak shot. A central misunderstanding by the visitors lets Mark Drew in to shoot but only wide when well placed. Tom Rutter working the flank is quick to get forward and his cross just wont land for Roscoe. Owen Roberts picks out Roscoe on the inside left channel, Roscoe digs the ball out to create space under a strong challenge, the ref plays on as the ball runs for Mark Jones whos shot from range is easy for the keeper. The visitors keeper is about to start frustrating the home side as he dives low to his left to save from Griff Jones via Roberts. The corner from Roberts drifts over the heads of Roscoe and Jones. Dawson is next to try on 22 minutes with a fine glancing header supplied by the free kick of Roberts , Kelly keeps the ball moving after the keepers save but the chance goes. Phil Hadland in the boro half finds space to cross Priestley reads it well and smothers on his six yard line. Mark Drew is not alive to the ball coming back and the floated ball is met well by Chris Gahan but he can only steer it wide. Priestleys kick is headed on to Roscoe who confidently hits it first time but watches it go high and wide. Boro continue to play controlled football hoping the opportunity will come, Dawson spots the run of Sampson but its too long. Roscoe and Griff Jones combine to allow Griff Jones to shoot just over the bar from 20 yard out. Roscoe fizzes a ball to Drew who shoots on sight and with the ball travelling at speed it passes Griff Jones before going out. A moment of its a knockout off the ball sees Roberts on the floor the ref books Hadland, what for? Phone lines are open! Just as the half ends Howard sets off on a run before picking out Hadland , he picks his spot to shoot across Priestley and into the net for 1-0. The ref blows and after asking the audience, i phone a friend to find out how can we be behind!

The second half sees no changes during the break , Town start first with the run of Howard who is fouled the free kick is wasted and cleared easily. Good work by Drew and Sampson keeps the pressure on Warrington . The hour approaches quickly and the game needs somebody to put a foot on it . Drew does just that and shapes well to shoot and bring a great save from the keeper. The corner is met by the thumping header of Dawson and again a fine fingertip save gets the ball to just go over. Same corner with Dawson again meeting well but steering poorly past the post. Boro push with little response from the team from Warrington. A series of free kicks only manage to hit the well held wall. Boro start to fail passes as the chances are not coming as they should with the amount of ball seen by the team in blue. Howard remains the only sniff of danger for the visitors. Boro find their feet again and when Roscoe flicks to Griff Jones he as Drew in space to dispatch a great shot matched by a great save once again. The resulting corner is met well and hits the line between the defenders feet and is cleared to Griff Jones who finds space to shoot, the block goes to Mark Jones his shot is saved close to the post and out. Dutton replaces McCarthy for the visitors and Howson is on for Sampson as Boro look to level. Mark Drew hopes the ref "plays his cards right" as he reacts to a poor challenge , the ref does and gives him a yellow. Boro knock on the door but just cant get it open before the final whistle arrives. The crowd leave wondering how we are going to put players on the score sheet. The crowd spent some time late on asking for Howson to be introduced and yes he is a goalscorer but the performance of the team is good, chances are being created , individuals are working hard, whats the answer?

The Krypton factor would be easier to win than our home games,

emails to weneedtowinagame@staintonpark.com.

Paul.

Tuesday 17 February 2009

Brace Yourselves!

It was to be a night journey home for players and fans alike that would see cats hide in fear of being kicked. A mild night greeted all to Moor Lane home of Salford City, Salford with improving results would be looking for the win. Boro with improving performances would be wanting to convert performances for points on the board.The first chance is Griff Jones's after the full back concedes he strikes from 25 yards, keeper saves one for the camera. The work ethic of G Jones and Roscoe is on show after 3 minutes as they hunt the keeper down forcing him to kick into touch. Salford loft passes to get behind Boro . Tobin to Foster who shoots tamely wild. Roscoe shows his intentions to win most things in the air and flicks are landing in the danger areas inviting Griff Jones at regular intervals. Roscoe is in the right place and shapes well to take the ball and shoot the keeper only parries to Drew who is given offside. Roscoe as early as the tenth minute is bossing the game and defenders are backing off already. Some niggling tackles cause Drew to have a rant at the ref as the Salford skipper Andrews is over zealous, the ref calls Drews captain over to cool him down. Drew goes on to foul Bearly on the edge of the box that is played short to Tobyn who shoots low and hard but the block is good. Boro win the free kick and Roberts steps up to send in a top quality cross that Roscoe rises above all to firmly place the perfect header back across goal and inside the post for a deserved lead on 20 minutes. Boro go on to dominate the half with Salford only having limited territory to play in. Sampson displays some good patient defending and sees off the threat of Tandy. Roscoe flicks a ball into the path of Drew who attacks the space with pace his shot although rising all the way was a great hit clearing the bar. Boro are driving forward and the ball is quickly moved from defence to attack. Roscoe and strike partner Griff Jones are running the City defence ragged, Mark Jones and Mark Drew are assisting the ball through the middle and are spoilt for choice as the front two are finding the runs. Griff Jones pays drew back after holding the ball well, his clever pass into the run of Drew is a gem but Drews first touch just puts him just too close to the line and the chance as gone. The boro full backs are working really hard up the field to keep the home side boxed in high up the field. Dawson is booked for his trip on Bearley as Salford have a rare foray forward. The half belonged to Boro and especially the Boro front line, the half time interval belonged to the throw back seventies DJ that played circa 1973 tunes throughout.
No changes during the break . Boro get forward early on Griff Jones is tripped as he turns away fro his marker , the free kick is nodded on to Griff Jones who looks for support but none arrive. Brookes wriggles free but his shot from distance as no sting but is on target. Salford gain some ground with Myers who forces Margarson to punch to Ahorne who sees his shot blocked. Roscoe turns in again to cause panic he sets up Drew who elects to shoot too early in the move. Griff Jones takes the ball down well and sends into the Boro number 9 he plays in short to Brookes who gets the shot in after getting the ball from under his feet. Within minutes Roscoe after good flank play by Roberts is on the edge of the d, he curls his shot just wide of the post. Salford send on their first sub Hargreaves for Andrews but its not enough to stop Roscoe notching his second of the night, a long kick up field is chased by Griff Jones who sends back to Roscoe he collects and lays off back to Griff Jones and heads for the box the return comes , he steadies, aims and slots home a perfect finish. Boro are 2 up and coasting on the hour with bets halted on a Roscoe hat trick. Mark Jones running from deep breaks into the last third with electric pace , he is forced wide but feeds into Brooke's on the edge of the box he leaves it for Drew who pushes his shot wide of the post. Then.........within the space of 4 minutes the game is level, how apart from pure bad luck i will never know. Salfords first real threatening move sees the ball out to the flank that is crossed hard and low to see the out stretched boot of Si Kelly steer the ball firmly into the goal for 2-1. Brooks gives the ball away to Myers who gets to the bye line before stabbing the ball in , the ball canons off Dawson at the near post and in, unbelievable. 2-2. Howson is sent on for Brookes and goes upfront with Roscoe, Griff Jones drops back just behind the two. The last 15 is a game of waiting for a winner that Boro deserve, Howson races on to two consecutive chances the first is blocked close i by the keeper and the second shot goes wide of the post. Salford begin to believe they can win and venture forward with better football. Tobin heads for goal and releases the shot that Margarson only parries, the city player follows up and shoots at goal, Dawson saves the day with a clearance off the line with his chest. Roscoe slides in a ball for Howson who sets and shoots the shot is deflected onto the bar and cleared. Salford use two more subs and 3 minutes are added. Boro have run out of time and Salford have used up all their luck. The ref blows and it should have been 3 points. A good game that is hard to work out how the points are shared. The positives have to be the way Griff jones and Adam Roscoe combined to look a real handful. Ex Boro man Mike Flynn an experienced player would have known he was in a game with the two to contend with. The negative for me was Drew being booked for dissent, he is a very good player that can keep the game alive and is a great partner in the middle with Mark Jones. We don't need him suspended.
Ah well 15 more grey hairs, two kicked cats and a game to look forward to on Saturday.

Next match carries an health warning!

see you there

Paul.

Sunday 15 February 2009

Finishing Class

It was to be a miserable debut for loan keeper Martyn Margarson and a miserable day for the Boro forward line. Boro just about topping a goal a game , just 26 from 25 league starts, six of those in one game v Salford and with the top scorer Craig Dawson missing through suspension, it was easy to understand why the only home goal came from the penalty spot and so many good chances went begging. Curzon Ashton with a debutant in Shane Kelsey and marksman Mike Norton in the front line produced a flattering scoreline. Boro with Owen Roberts delivering the first quality ball of the day from a free kick leaves Mark Jones in a perfect spot at the far post his fall just at the vital moment denied Boro a 3 minute early lead. An early test for Margarson in the Boro goal as him showing some first night nerves with him electing to juggle the ball at the edge of his box and is lucky to see the ball lofted safely over his bar. He does better a minute later to punch strongly under pressure from Norton. David Birch Curzons captain sends a neat ball into the edge of the box that as Unsworth & Brockley working hard to see off Kelsey, Brockley does well to clear . Curzon look dangerous with a clever back heel by Andrew Watson finding Alex Elliott who crosses well to put Boro under pressure before Si Kelly clears very tidily.
The visitors all in red attack again this time on the flank with Danny Verity his cross is met well by Brockley assisted by Kelly the ball lands back with Verity and his cross shot fizzes across the goalmouth and wide. Tom Rutter trying his luck with a snap cross is unlucky not to see Roscoe get contact on the ball as it goes agonisingly too far in front of him. Norton is lively at the other end and gathers well just in the box before his route is blocked by Kelly the rebounding ball brings a shot from Elliot that is well wide. The pattern of the game is set with both sides capable of getting into danger areas and producing chances. Griff Jones shows great awareness in looping the ball from behind him into the path of Roscoe he races clear easily but the finish is missing and it flys well wide of target. He picks the ball up deep in his next spell and grafts to find a shooting slot, again the finish is poor when well placed . The game is lively with Boro kicking themselves for not being in the lead. Kelly pushes forward and sends the ball to the head of Roscoe who flicks out wide to Roberts is pass to Sampson is neat, Sampson sets Brookes who curls a good shot past the post a great move. Curzon still need watching with Norton the thorn in the side. Roscoe this time feeds Griff Jones who turns superbly but again the finish is missing. Jones is fouled in the next move after Kelly finds his run well he turns to go and is fouled, Roberts takes the kick but it is well cleared. Rutter is found out wide and he delivers well to Roscoe who is just beaten to the header. Sampson takes the corner and sees the ball well placed by the advancing Mark Jones, David Carnell pulls off a fantastic save at the foot of the post to keep the scores level. Kelly in defence is having a solid game and his last ditch tackle to deny Norton is top class. Before Boro can recover fully the ball is in space with Jordan Goodeve having enough time to pick his spot and chip the ball over the head of Margarson for the opener. A blow to boro after having three clear chances to take the lead themselves. The next 5 minutes are the visitors as they push for the second and get it this time through Mike Norton as he wriggling for space in the box his shot is only parried and lands back with him to dig it out and place easily past the on loan keeper, 2-0 with 10 to the break. Boro have to lift themselves and are still clearly in the game.
Brockley is replaced with Howson for the second half with Griff Jones slotting in behind the front two. Some early pressure from Boro as they look to narrow the deficit, Rutter goes on a fine run to be taken down in the last third. Roberts again with a quality ball in as the keeper undeciding and Roscoe is mere inches from nodding it in. Roscoe and Griff Jones are striking a good understanding and they are unlucky not to pull a scoring chance on 55 minutes. Within minutes Howson and Roscoe rise for the same Sampson cross , Roscoe wins the header but places straight into the keepers hands. Norton is fouled as he turns to run, Michael O'conner takes the kick and with the Boro keeper not making a decision the ball lands at the feet of Adam Jones two yards out leaving him the simplest of tasks to prod home. 3-0 with half an hour to go. Curzon are still keen to break even with a three goal cushion allowing Boro the chance to gain some pride back. Brooks does well to send a cross field ball to Rutter who with more time than he thinks shoots poorly wide from just inside the box. Curzon replace two to see the game out, soon after Mark drew replaces Brookes. Sampson sends a great Ball into Roscoe who heads on well to the run of Griff Jones and as he is about to pull the trigger he is brought down in the box , Mr Newell points to the spot , Griff Jones steps up and slots home to make it 3-1. Boro have little time to pull it round and struggle to make any more clear cut chances. Curzon finish the game and the lesson in finishing with a good goal starting with Phil Edgehill passing down the flank to Kelsey, he places a good ball across the edge of the box into the path of Norton who shoots firmly at goal and sees the ball hit the back of the net with the keeper stretching to get near the ball. 4-1! Curzon make one last sub as the 90 approaches . The class is dismissed by the refs final whistle, goals win games , chances do not. A period of goal scoring detention is needed , simple maths really Curzon with 6 clear cut chances score 4, boro with the same amount of chances score one from the spot. Plenty of head scratching was seen in the club house after the game.

Converting chances at Salford on Tuesday night is a must,

see you there.

Paul.

Wednesday 4 February 2009

Route to Semi by Tom Tom

Tom Rutter returned to first team football after his lengthy recovery from his op , alongside Tom Brookes in the starting line up for the second game in a row. The pair influenced a fine away cup victory in five star surroundings at Highbury home of Conference North side Fleetwood Town. The hosts with a league campaign in mind fielded largely reserves. Boro named two on the bench in Howson and Manning. Sampson, Kelly, Drew were missing. Rutter played at right back with Unsworth in the middle. Fleetwood make Priestley the first keeper in action as he smothers the ball Maylett is chasing with Unsworth in tow. The ball is up field quickly and Boro win the first corner after Roscoe wins the flick on to send Griff Jones grafting in the corner. The corner is sent over and with Fleetwood flat footed Tom Rutter is forward to send the ball flying into the top of the net for a flying start to the visitors. He is back in the action when a clearance is sent straight into his mid rift causing him to double over , a very nervous time for the player after the recent op , full credit to the full back for the night as he went on to play a very steady game. The game is quick and largely led by Boro as they look to double the lead. Tom Brookes is busy and races hard to get on the end of a clever ball through, the keeper is quick off the mark and Brookes lofted attempt is blocked with Roscoe waiting. A couple of forays forward for Fleetwood offer no threat before Rutter serves up a quality corner that is meat and drink for Roscoe who finishes the perfect header back across the keeper for 2-0 on 22 minutes beutifully shown on the red digital scoreboard. Boro are running the game and are showing what a good footballing side they can be , they have plenty of possesion and use it wel in the half. The defence missing the influential captian Si Kelly are being conducted well by the experianced Unsworth. Confidence is high in the team and the first half display by all is impressive. Brookes terrier type chasing with the threat of Griff Jones and Roscoe are giving the youngsters of the home side a real tests. Boro need to stay on guard as the closing action as Maylett is fed in space and absolutely smashes a drive against the bar that rattled for the duration of the break. My break was spent in the luxury of the bar, a very impressive set up.
Fleetwood start the half with a close shot that rattles the advertising boards wide of goal. the response is quick by captain for the night Mark Jones who links well with Griff Jones before firing across the keeper who pushes the ball away from danger. Substitutions are made by the home side to try to change the flow of football that is owned by Boro. Roscoe should have made it three after a great move starting with a splitting pass inside by Griff Jones. Fleetwood make a more even contest of it in the last twenty and chances are shared by both sides. Griff Jones is replaced by Howson for a straight swop. Chances still remain and it is Fleetwood who pull one back through Substitute Tommy Wilson on 79 minutes as his fine shot across Priestley finds the net to make it 2-1. The last ten minutes will be slow as boro look to the semis. Brookes could and should have finished after Roscoe and howson cause problems. The game is won for Boro after a solid performance with a lot of hard work on a cold night on the coast. The team will head further north to Kendal for the semi final , a cup final for the team will be a worthy reward for a squad of players that are beginning to look like a very good side.

The only thing that spoiled the night was hearing that Darwen FC would fold, a very historical club that deserve help more than most from the so called elite of our game. Check the link for a great article.

http://www.twohundredpercent.net/?p=1201

Paul.

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