Weirside no pushovers this time
Andy Hutchings, 25 January 2010 21:33
Poly 3 Weirside 5
(half time 1-2). Scorers Moran, Bamforth, Holmes.
Poly battled hard against Weirside and fought their way back
into the game twice but sadly it wasn't enough against strong
opposition with the 9s suffering a frustrating 5-3 defeat.
Weirside took the game to Poly from the off and much of the opening
few minutes was played in the Poly half. Nevertheless Poly
managed to get through the early stages without conceding through a
combination of last ditch tackles, a couple of good saves from Dan
and a bit of good fortune (first from the cross bar and then the
ref when Bamforth looked like he may have tripped an advancing
opposition player in the box).
A more even spell of play followed as Rob got into the game and
Giggsy and Pete managed to get hold of the middle of midfield.
During that phase we were denied by a couple of tight (but fair)
offside decisions against Chris and Tom. Sadly that spell ended
with Weirside breaking the deadlock with a hard low shot from the
edge of the box which got under Dan's feet but he couldn't keep
out.
From that point Weirside grew in confidence and were making
regular raids down the flanks getting in behind Tom G and Craig on
several occasions as their multitude of wide men flooded
forward. On one occasion a low cross came in which Hutch
stretched out to prevent getting through to the Weirside forward.
It took an age to happen but luckily the ball hit the post and went
out for a corner with Dan stranded.
The second Weirside goal was disappointing - a ball was punted
through the middle and should really have been mopped up by the
Poly backline but instead bounced kindly for Weirside to lob over
Dan in to an empty net. A long way back for Poly at that
point. Last season we may have crumbled in this situation but
to the credit of the team everyone buckled down and kept playing.
Poly got their reward just before half time when Chris sprung the
offside trap and finished clinically from 8 yards. It was 2-1 at
the break.
The early stages of the second half were pretty cagey with both
teams creating some half chances but neither team dominating the
game. Sweety, Danny and Tom H replaced Tom G, Tom W and Ryan. About
mid way through the half the game livened up. First Bamforth, never
afraid of chasing a lost cause, levelled the game at 2-2 with a
precise angled volley from the right hand side of the box. Minutes
later though Weirside were back in front. The ball was lost in the
middle of the field and bobbled around the Poly box before a
Weirside striker poked in from close range. 3-2.
Again, Poly came back and asked questions of Weirside. After
much huffing and puffing Poly looked to have secured a point when
substitute Tom H got his head on a great cross from Chris with the
ball looping over the keeper and in to the net. But it wasn't to
be. A free kick was given away in a dangerous position just outside
the Poly box. The kick was precisely delivered into the danger area
beyond the defence and in front of Dan. One of the Weirside
strikers got the slightest of touches on it with his head to leave
Dan unable to keep it out. 4-3. Poly again piled forward and
did look like they could even things up again. Rob struck a very
good free kick and there were a couple of scrambles where something
could have happened but sadly Weirside opened us up down our right
in the final minutes and when we failed to clear finished well
despite Dan having done to force the striker wide.
All in all a bit frustrating to get back in to the game and then
concede twice late on but Weirside were worth their win.
MOTM: In truth nobody had a stand out game though most of the team
kept going and showed good spirit throughout so a hard one to pick.
Rob had some terrific runs down the left. Dan made some very good
saves and didn't deserve to have 5 put past him. Petr had another
solid game and held his position well. Pete battled hard despite
being on the wrong end of several bad changes and scored a great
goal. Ryan was influential until he came off. [ed - still
thinking about that one].
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