Match Report
Match Report - 28 Jan 2012, Old Modernians Football Club Reserves beat Gildersome Spurs OB Reserves
Mods took all 3 points in a game that will have been enjoyed by few due to the quagmire of a pitch.
Stenger and Leadbeater were moved to the bench despite solid performances against Carlton the previous week, replaced by Rich Ewen in the centre of midfield and Jonny Wilson partnering Ryan Unsworth up front. The back four remained intact and Shaduwa kept his place wide left with JP Craig moving to right midfield.
Mods started well enough and were able to play some decent, if not exactly outstanding, football. Wilson and Unsworth were making well-timed runs up front and Gilligan and Ewen were picking them out when the pitch allowed an accurate ball to be played. The first goal came from excellent work by Wilson down the right who crossed to Unsworth who gave the keeper no chance. Gildersome then had a period of 10-15 mins of good pressure but were unable to create a real opening due to a disciplined back four being protected well by Ewen.
Mike Sproats then doubled the lead with a thundering header from a corner. Sproatsy was excellent against Carlton last week and continued where he left off with another solid performance today.
Mods then allowed Gildersome a way back in by allowing their best player, the left footed midfielder, to travel too far with the ball and he found the bottom corner from 25+ yards. A good finish from a good player. Mods restored their 2-goal lead just before the break after excellent work by Ewen allowed Unsworth to finish cooly after beating the keeper.
3-1 half time.
Mods came out for the second half and almost immediatly allowed Gidersome back in the game. Gilligan was one of a handful of Mods players to have a rush of blood when the same left footed midfielder ran pst the midfield and into the box. Penalty. Dispached into the bottom corner. 3-2
Gildersome clearly felt they would get something out of the game and the neutral observer would probably have agreed, given that the momentum was with them and 40 minutes were still to play. However, Mods stuck to their gameplan and stayed solid with only one real scare when Lewis tipped a header onto the post. In fact, Mods could have had a few more had the giant Gildersome keeper not foiled a number of 1v1's.
In summary, a tough game for both following the effect yesterday's weather had on the playing surface. Gildersome have some good young players and they had a good window of opportunity to get something but Mods didn't have to rue missed opportunities in the end after staying organised and disciplined in their shape.
Thanks to Gildersome for their hospitality, we are always made to feel welcome in their clubhouse after a tough game.
Gildersome Spurs OB Reserves 2 - 3 Old Modernians Football Club Reserves