Match Report
| Date | H/A | Opposition | Competition | Venue | F | A |
| 10/10/2009 11:10 |
A |
Lourdes FC |
League |
Harper Green |
3 |
2 |
Conditions - warm, sunny
HT - 1 v 0
FT - 3 v 2
Diamonds goalscorers - Arran Speakman (13 minutes), Daniel Forrest (penalty, 55 minutes), Curtis Fletcher (57 minutes)
Team - Liam (goalkeeper), Jack (left back), Will (right back), Mason (right midfield), Henry (centre midfield), Jo (right midfield), Daniel (left attack), Curtis (centre attack), Arran (right attack). Substitutes - David, Matthew, Ashley)
Man of the match - 1st - Will, 2nd - Arran, 3rd - Matthew
Commentary
Coach Forrest decided on a new formation to the team's usual 3, 4, 1 , putting Will in defence, along with Jack, to combat the pace of Lourdes 2 playmakers Calum and Connor. Henry playing in a holding midfield role, supported by Mason and Jo on the left and right, with Dan, Curtis and Arran making up the attack. Whilst Lourdes had not scored a point in their previous 3 games they were certainly not under estimated by the Diamonds and indeed they held on to their 2 v 1 lead that they earned after 47 minutes, right up until the last 5 minutes.
Dan was an early substiute after 8 minutes, Matthew coming on to replace him after he started a little under his usual high standards. Mason had a shot on 12 minutes, which fired low and just wide og the 'keepers right post. a minute later the industrious Arran got his reward, Curtis made an inch perfect pass out to the right and Arran dispened in what has become his trade mark style - low and hard to the goalies left giving him little chance. The Diamonds had much of the possession in the first half, with Jo having a good shot well saved on 18 minutes and Mason shooting low, 2 minutes later, saved by the 'keeper. Lourdes should have equalised on 22 minutes with the lively Rory breaking through on goal but firing wide. Half time Diamonds 1 up.
The home team quickly got back in the game, equalising only a couple of minutes after the re-start, however a minute later Curtis was through on goal, with a clear shooting chance and was scythed down, leaving the refereee little option but to point to the spot. Curtis took it, however it was well saved by their goalie. Dan fired a long shot on 43 minutes again saved by the 'keeper. Lourdes took the lead on 47 minutes. it looked like the home team were going to hang on for their first win of the season, however on 55 minutes, one of Lourdes defenders was deemed to have handled in the box by the referee. Dan strode forward for the penaly kick and fired into the top of the net to the goalies right to equalise and set up a pulsating finale. Dan was instrumental in the winning goal passing on to Curtis for him to notch another goal to his tally this season on 57 minutes. Curtis could have had another a minute later, uncharacteristically firing over the bar from close range. Man of the match went to Will again for his untiring work, playing out of position and never giving up. This win lifts the Diamonds to fifth in the table, with an away trip to Ringley Park Rangers to look forward to next week, who slotted 6 past the league leaders Adlington in their game
