Post by Dave on Jan 14, 2023 19:36:42 GMT
Match Referee Steven Osborn
Final Score Paignton Saints 2nd 2 Chudleigh Athletic 4
Match Preview
Due to this being a last minute game as the game I was covering was called off, just a quick match preview this time. But I must say as I have got older my craving for football to be played in the summer as grown. With nearly all games played on grass today wiped out, love them or hate them, at least games played on a 3G pitch are never in danger.
I have not covered a Saints 2nd team game this season so at least I will have done one now. The Saints sit at the very bottom of the SDFL premiership table on just three points from the nine games they have played to date. Just the single win and eight defeats so they will be hoping to turn things around in the second half of the season.
I have covered one home game for Chudleigh Athletic against a very good WBB side. While they were beaten by six goals to nil that day, they were a better side than the score line might suggest. They are currently in 10th place in the league table on seven points from nine games,just one place above the Saints. They have won two games, drawn one and lost six.
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Match Report
Once again I had to question my sanity, why leave a nice warm house and sit out in the freezing cold and blasted by a strong wind? Simple answer I just love the game of football. As this was not the game I would have been covering I rocked up unannounced. Can’t thank both managers and the match referee enough for all their help today.
Steven blew up for the start of the match and the very first shot on goal was a 20 yard effort by Saints Brandon Kelly. The shot was on target but well held by Niall Herbert in goal for Chudleigh.
The Saints won the first corner that was fired high into the box, Sam Winstanley got a good head on the ball but his effort was blocked on route to the goal.
Chudleigh started to get on top and looked the most likely side to score the first goal. Gavin Hammon hit a good shot from just outside the Saints box, but Callum Waite made a good save low down.
Saints Stewart Connor sized on a half chance inside the Chudleigh box, his flicked effort on goal was caught by the keeper. A great ball from the right hand side into the Chudleigh box was met by a powerful header by Matt Reed, it had the keeper well beaten but crashed onto the crossbar.
The Saints then went onto to take the lead in the match after being awarded a penalty. I believe it was given for handball, Aaron Knapman took the spot kick and fired the ball into the back of the net.
They say you are often most vulnerable after scoring a goal, that most certainly proved to be true for the Saints. From the restart Chudleigh got the ball out wide on the right and the ball was fired low into the Saints box. Nik Garrett said thank you very much as he hit a first time powerful shot past the keeper into the back of the net.
Shortly after this Chudleigh took the lead. The ball was fired high into the Saints box and it looked an easy catch for the keeper. But he was not decisive enough and Alfie Luscombe got in front of him and headed the ball home.
Alfie also had another half chance to score again from the edge of the Saints box, but his effort flew over the crossbar. That was it for the first half and Chudleigh fully deserved their lead.
The second half got underway and the very pacey Alfie Luscombe went on a good run down the right hand side of the box. From the edge of the Saints box he hit a good shot across the keeper who did well to make the save.
The Saints were now playing much better than they did during the first half. From the edge of the Chudleigh box, Ben Clarke blasted a shot over the crossbar.
Almost against the run of play Chudleigh scored again to make it three goals to one. A long ball was pumped forward and the Saints keeper came rushing of his line. From the edge of the box Gavin Hammon had the simple task of heading the ball over him into the back of the unguarded net.
The Saints were playing a nice passing game but could not find the all important killer passes until they finally were able to play Matt Reed into the box. But he slipped over and as he fell his hand and a part of his arm pinned the ball onto the deck. He was able to get up and fire the ball home. It was a clear handball and the goal should have been ruled out. But the match referee was unsighted and was not in the position to award a free kick to Chudleigh.
Could the Saints find one more goal to earn a share of the points? From the restart Gavin Hammon did not pass the ball back that normally happens, he hit a dead ball from the centre circle that flew over the keeper into the back of the net. Not sure I have ever seen that happen before, but it sealed the Saints fate and made sure Chudleigh recorded only their second win of the season.
At the death a great low powerful shot from the edge of the box by Saints Frank Barrett only just went wide of the right hand post.
An enjoyable game to watch and both sides are capable of playing some nice football, on today’s showing I am sure they have a very good chance of moving away from the bottom of the table.
