CSWPL Premier Div Stoke Gabriel V Launceston 9/8/.2014

[Dave]

CSWPL Premier Div Stoke Gabriel V Launceston 9/8/.2014

Final Score Stoke 1 Launceston 1

Teams

Stoke Gabriel: Dom Aplin, Ben Brown, Ryan O'Callaghan, Mark Ashworth, Frazer Clark, Ryan Beattie, Rob Bowker, Darren Veale, Dave Worthington, Karl Baker, Sam Dicken, Dan Easton, Danny Horsfall, Neil Last, Rick Lee
Launceston: Dan Stevenson, Sam Scott, Chris Saunders, Chris Menhenick, Matt David, Rob Blake, Callum Martindale, Liam Tilley, Chris Wright, Jack Alexander, Sam Davey, Chris Head, Mike Burke, Josh Harris, Gavin Welsh, Dan Jefferis

I read this morning that Gary Fisher and three other players had left Stoke but I do not know the reasons why. I had no interest in even asking at the ground today as for me it was all about the eleven players Stoke put out on the pitch for this match. The programme lists Tim Porter as the manager and Rick Lee as his assistant.

I was charged £4 on the gate and that included the match day programme, a price I’m more than happy to pay to watch this level of football. The Pitch looked a bit yellow in parts and rather parched, but that is to be expected with all the sun we have had and lack of any real rain.

Thanks to young Tom as always for putting numbers to names in my programme for both the teams. So just how well would Stoke play in the highest league in the Southwest Peninsula after gaining promotion last season? I personally felt they played well enough to earn the point they did and feel very sure they will get better as a team as the season progresses.

In saying that I do feel that Launceston were slightly the better team today, but hard work and playing for each other, ensured Stoke were always in with a chance of winning the match. Launceston made the better start and played some neat football in their build-up play, but were unable to create and clear goal scoring opportunities.

Stoke took an early lead in the first half and I think I was as shocked as anyone that Dave Worthington’s effort from just inside the Launceston half went in. He looked up and saw Dan Stevenson well off his goal line and just fired the ball high and long into the air. It all seemed in slow motion and also seemed a long wait for the ball to go over the keeper and drop into the net. Dave hit a few other long range efforts before the break but could not add to the goal he scored.

Onto the second half and as the half wore on it looked very likely that Launceston would get onto the score sheet. They missed a number of chances but credit has to be given to the Stoke defence for some good saving tackles and standing up big and strong when they needed too. Credit also needs to be given to Stokes keeper Dom Aplin. He’s not the biggest keeper in the world but made some good saves and came and claimed the ball in the air so well so many times.

He looked like he was going to be beaten when he found himself on a one on one with Launceston’s Chris Wright, but Wrights shot was not the best but still needed to be saved which Dom managed to do with his legs. As the pressure started to grow with Launceston looking for an equalizer a goal for them was on the cards. Stokes defender Ben Brown who had a very good game hit the deck following an attempted tackle on the edge of his box. The ball ended up in the box at the feet of Dan Jefferis who managed to squeeze the ball into the net on the near post.

Stoke so nearly won the match right at the death, a fine half volley close in by Karl Baker looked a certain goal, but keeper Dan Stevenson made a fine reaction save sticking out his hand and pushing the ball towards the far post where it was cleared behind for a corner.

Enjoyed today’s game at one of the most welcoming clubs in South Devon and its only a short drive from my home.