Match report. Gt Shelford 3 Chatteris 2
18 Feb 2012

Match report.

Gt Shelford 3 Chatteris 2

I’m sure that before today’s game all of the players were just looking forward to another game of football, considering all of the postponements lately. Hopefully today would also be a chance of erasing the memory of our unjust defeat in our last game against Foxton. Having said that it looked likely to be a tricky game today against lowly Chatteris who were having their first game under their new manager.

The game started with the home side kicking towards the car park end with a strong wind at their backs. Chatteris looked like a hard working side without the quality to really trouble Gt Shelford. This theory seemed to have been proved as correct in the 6th minute when Gareth Jones sent a long diagonal pass across the pitch to Ricky Woodrow, Ricky passed forward into the path of Buster Harradine who slammed the ball into the net. It seemed that we may be looking forward to a feast of goals today. In fact the second came after just 12 minutes when after failing to clear a ball from their penalty area from a rare Chatteris attack Gt Shelford found themselves pegged back at 1-1. For reason the game really deteriorated from then on. Chatteris realised that they may have a chance and Gt Shelford began to get frustrated with each other and everyone else.  Although still well in control of the game Gt Shelford found it difficult to get any passing moves started and when they did threaten the chances were spurned. Half time 1-1.

The home team started the second half as though they really meant to dominate the game. Much improved, the home side started to pass the ball much better and on 60 minutes Sam Johnston sent a superb ball forward and Marcus Hall outpaced the visitors defence before slotting the ball past the advancing ‘keeper. That really should have been it. Shelford decided they could now keep the ball for long periods which they did quite well. But a moments lapse in concentration and Chatteris surged forward, a powerful shot low to Phill Peachey’s right, Phil dived and saved at full stretch, pushing the ball away to his right, Chatteris were more alert and pounced on the loose ball and turned it in to make it 2-2. I thought that the score would remain at 2-2. But no! with just six minutes remaining and Gt Shelford were awarded a corner on the left. Buster Harradine sent a surperb ball across the Chatteris goalmouth, just far enough away from their ‘keeper, Nick Baggerley rose above everyone to power home a header for what was really a well deserved victory.