Post by Dave on May 20, 2017 7:58:24 GMT
Final Score Riviera United 3 Harbertonford 2nd 1
Match Preview
Just one week ago Riviera United knew they had to play three games over the next seven days, the maths were simple, win all three games an be crowned the champions of division three. But two of those games were against the Torbay Police side that broke the Riviera United player’s hearts in this year’s final of the Ronald Cup.
The Ronald Cup was Riviera United first ever cup final and while the Bees shaded the first half, Riviera were the better team in the second half but were unable to find the winning goal. With just five minutes of the game left to play, Torbay Police scored and took the lead in the game for the second time which they managed to hold onto.
While there are no prizes for coming second in any cup final, the Riviera players in my opinion should still feel very proud of reaching their first ever cup final and enjoying a good season in the league.
Torbay Police had their eyes firmly focused on a league and cup double and knew the only team that could spoil those dream was Riviera United. I did not attend either of the two games between both sides this week, but I have listened to first hand reports on the games.
Sadly no matter what ever anyone’s thoughts on Tuesday nights game might have been, the record book shows that the Torbay Police won the game by three goals to one and thus ending any hopes of Riviera United winning the league title.
There was still second place to play for on Thursday night and automatic promotion for Riviera United to the second division , even a draw in this game and a win into days game against Harbertonford 2nd, would have seen Riviera claim second spot on goal difference over Broadmeadow.
I understand Riviera United went down to ten men in their second battle with Torbay Police this week, but still managed to take the lead twice in the game. Sadly for them the final score ended up five goals to three for the Torbay Police who have proved they are worthy winners of the third division this season.
I picked this game to cover at the start of the week which is not something I normally do and was half expecting to witness the Riviera United promotion celebrations after the match. While I know that is now not going to happen, I still decided to cover this game in the hope the Riviera United players that do turn out for their club today, do their very best the end this season on a wining note.
Do to my connections with one club and my fondness for the other, I’m going to remain completely neutral today and only hope it is a cracking game with the best team on the day winning the three points on offer.
I have covered two of Harbertonford 1st team games this season, but don’t think I have ever covered a game featuring their second team. Lat season on the 7th may 2016 I did cover the Riviera United game against Newton Rovers which was a 4th division game. It is a game I remember very well due to the sending off of two players one from each side. Riviera won the game by four goals to nil and played some great football that day
davesworld.proboards.com/thread/562/sdfl-riviera-united-newton-rovers
I also covered their division six game way back on May 18th 2013 against Roseland 2nds, but back then my reports were more basic and after rereading that report I think the game ended up as a three all draw.
davesworld.proboards.com/thread/203/riviera-united-roselands-2nds-18th
Both Clubs League Record This Season To Date.
Riviera United have played a total of twenty three games, winning sixteen, drawing one and losing six giving them a points total of forty nine points and a guaranteed third place finish. Along the way they have scored a total of eighty goals, conceded thirty five giving them a plus forty five goal difference.
Harbertonford 2nd have also played a total of twenty three games, winning twelve of them, drawing one and losing ten putting them in seventh place in the table on thirty seven points. Along they way they have scored a total of fifty four goals, conceded forty two giving them a plus twelve goal difference.
Of the two sides Harbertonford 2nd has to the most to play for as a win over Riviera United would see them move above Chudleigh Athletic 2nd and finish their season in sixth place in the league table.
Footnote.
I did a photo shoot last Sunday of the Rowcroft Charity Cup featuring Torquay United Legends and Riviera United, pictures here
davesworld.proboards.com/thread/636/riviera-rowcroft-match-pictures-14th
I have also heard that there is a possibility of the team finishing in third place in the third division might be promoted this season, so all might not be lost for Riviera United.
Match Report.
I was in the middle of writing my match preview this morning when I heard the rain crashing against my window. There we go I thought, another wet and windy match day. But to my surprise it turned out to be a very pleasant afternoon with sunshine at times and not as cold as I expected.
The Fords manager might well feel that the three goals scored by Riviera United all had an element of luck to them, but the truth is Riviera were the better side on the day and played the best football.
Match referee Steve Luxon got the game underway and Fords made the much better start and looked the most likely to take an early lead. They won the first corner of the game that was knocked into the edge of the box where Gerad Bulley took a wild swing at the ball and stood and watched it go well wide of the right hand post.
Gerad Bulley then had an even better chance to put his side in front when he took a shot close in to the left hand post forcing a fine save from the Riviera keeper Bradley Corderoy.
Riviera were still struggling to get their own game going and conceded a fee kick just inside their own half. The ball was fired high towards the back post and seemed to be dropped by the keeper with the lose ball ending up close into the middle of the goal mouth. Fords Jordan Baggot hit a very powerful shot from two yards out that looked certain to hit the back of the net but was somehow blocked on the line.
Riviera started to get into the game and their first half chance was a shot from just outside the Fords box. Dean Ford hit his shot across the keeper towards the far post, but his effort went just wide and behind for a goal kick.
Ford then gifted Riviera the lead, Riviera took a free kick in their own half that was fired long up the pitch. Fords keeper Philip Osgathorpe called loudly for the ball, but made the fatal mistake of staying on his goal line waiting for the ball to come to him. Dean Ford nipped into the space between the ball and the keeper and slotted the ball into the back of the net.
Dean Ford then nearly got a second goal for his side when Fords gave the ball away cheaply in their own half. The ball was played to the far post and this time it was Deans turn to see his shot blocked on the goal line.
Riviera were now very much in control of the game and any threat from the Fords forwards seemed to die away as long balls were hit from the back more in hope than anything else. Rivera’s Ashley Dewdney put the ball down to take a free kick just outside the Fords box, but his effort went high over the crossbar.
Riviera then added to their early lead and the wind sure played a part in the goal. Callum Ford was in his own half and stuck the ball with such force. Fords keeper Philip Osgathorpe was off his line and the ball sailed over him into the back of the net. While the goal had an air of fortune to it, Riviera were well worth their two goal lead.
That was it for the first half and the Riviera lads went back to the dressing room while the Ford players stayed out on the pitch. The second half got underway and while Riviera were soon on top again, chances were few and far between for both sides early in the half.
The Ford players were working hard enough but lacked and real width and never looked that likely to threaten the Riviera goal. They did have a loud shout for a penalty turned down when it looked as if the ball might have been handled in the Riviera box. Not sure if it was or not and the match referee never saw it if in fact it did happened and rightly was not able to award Fords a spot kick.
The Fords keeper was then guilty of a very poor kick out from his box with the ball going straight to Rivera’s Dean Ford who from twenty five yards out hit a thunderous shot that hit the left hand post and came back into play.
Riviera United was moving the ball well as they looked to add to the first half lead. Ryan Ford had a good chance when he took the ball around the keeper but once again saw his effort blocked on the goal line.
Alex Dart was having a great influence in the game for his side with plenty of good runs down the left and into the Fords box. He got his side’s third goal from a cross come shot just outside the Fords box on the left hand side.
The Ford players upped their work rate to try and get something from the game, but just struggled to create much in the last third of the pitch. One good cross from the right was fired high into the Riviera box but the ball just had a bit to much height on it and glanced off the forwards head and behind for a goal kick
Fords then got the goal their hard work deserved, a good ball played in Jordan Baggot who waited until the keeper came off his line before passing the ball past him into the back of the net.
Tommy Auen came close to getting a second goal for his side with a neat turn and half volley from the edge of the Riviera box that only just cleared the crossbar.
That was it; Steve Luxon put his whistle to his mouth and blew up for the end of the game. This week did not pan out the way Riviera United had hoped, but at least they won their final game of the season
An enjoyable enough game to watch with some good football played at times, many thanks to both managers for your help with the team sheets and not forgetting match referee Steve Luxton.
That’s it from me this season, but please check out my site from time to time as other content will be added to it.
