SDFL Div 2 Paignton Saints V Newton United 4th October 2014

[Dave]

South Devon Football League Division Two

Paignton Saints V Newton United

Saturday 4th October 2014

Venue Whiterock 2 Kick-Off 2.30pm

Final Score Paignton Saints 1 Newton United 1

Newton United must be wondering how they did not win this game and by a good goal margin. They had the lions share of the play and even when they went down to ten men halfway through the second half, where still very much on top and creating good chances. Newton did have the ball in the back of the net very early in the game, but the linesman put his flag up for an offside or a foul on the keeper?

But it was Paignton Saints who took a shock early lead, some neat play by Nuron Connor followed by an inch perfect pass, put Jonny Emcry into the Newton box with just the keeper to beat. Jonny took his shot early and hit low into the left nad side of the goal.

Saints number six Marl Ede hit a good snap shot from just outside the Newton box that only just went wide of the left hand post. Up the other end and a good cross into the box form the left hand side landed at the feet of Dave Crownrst but he blasted his shot well over the crossbar.

Newton were having so many efforts on goal and none would go in, then after the ball pinged around in the Saints box a few times, Chris Harper looked certain to score when he volleyed the ball from around the penalty spot. But Saints keeper Sam Cox did well to beat the powerful shot down with his hands and the lose ball was then cleared away to safety.

Chris Harper came close again after a fine run down the right wing and into the Saints box. Sam Cox came out and did well to get down to block the shot but the ball went under his body but as the sting had been taken out of the shot the ball failed to cross over the goal line.

Now Mr Nick Oxley when a player runs into the box and gets past the keeper who is now on the deck and the keeper then grabs the ankle of the player as he goes pasts him and brings him down, then you need to award a penalty. Saints number nine Nyron Conner was clearly brought down by the town keeper and yet you waved play on? The keeper pulled his shoulder in this incident and was unable to continue in goal for his side.

Up the other end and another good run into the box this time from the left hand side by Chris Harper who fired his shot across the keeper and just wide of the right hand post. The last chance of the first half fell to Saints number eleven Jonny Emcry. Just twelve yards from goal he only managed to fire his shot over the bar when he looked certain to score.

On to the second half and it did not take Town to long to get a goal their play fully deserved. They won a free kick just outside the right hand side of the box, the ball was played in but then cleared to just outside the area. A shot was fired in but badly miss hit and the ball fell kindly on Chris Harpers head who headed the ball into the left hand side o the goal. The keeper had no chance of making a save as he was going the other way from the earlier shot that was made. Shouts went up for off side but Chris was just on side but only just.

Newton came close to taking the lead in the game after a very poor goal kick from Saints keeper went straight to Chris Harper who got his head down and ran into the box and got a good shot away that only just went wide of the right hand post.

Just before this the ref booked Chris for something he must have said to him after a free kick had been awarded to the Saints. Mr Nick Oxley after putting a players name in your book get out the card and show it to the player. He clearly then had it in for Chris Harper as he very soon afterwards booked him again and sent him off.

The ball was there to be won on the edge of the Saints box and yes Chris had his foot up slightly, but he was clearly trying to win the ball and if it was deemed to be a foul, then just award a free kick and not book him again as it was not really a bookable offence in my book anyway.

Even with ten men Newton were the better side and should have won the match after a fine effort by Liam Mc Grath. He hit a great shot from just outside the area that had the Saints keeper routed to his spot. Sadly for Liam his shot hit the top of the crossbar and went behind for a goal kick.


Not sure how Saints number seven Jason Dingley did not win the match for his team, he had a great ball played into him inside the Newton box and with the keeper stranded on his left hand post, had the whole empty goal to aim at, but he somehow managed to put his shot wide of the target.

After sending off Chris Harper the ref had no choice other than sending off Saints left back who brought down a Newton player outside and to the right of the Saints box. Yes he was the last man so to speak but was far enough away from goal for a ref on another day to just show a yellow card.

Both teams had a number of very good players and both teams played some very good football at times.