Post by Dave on Nov 9, 2014 7:15:13 GMT
Carlsberg Southwest Peninsula League Division 1 East
Galmpton United V Liverton United
Saturday 8th November 2014 Kick-Off 2.15pm
Venue The Memorial Ground
Final score Galmpton United 2 Liverton United 0
After all the fun and games covering a fixture from the South Devon league last weekend , I asked myself did I want to cover another game from that league this weekend? Well I would have and had planned to cover Foxholes game, but like so many other games it was called off due to a waterlogged pitch.
Thankfully I did not have to travel too far away from home to find a game that was taking place as Southwest Peninsula League side Galmpton’s ground, is not that far from my home. The club were holding a Galmpton past players day before and after the match, which played a big part in swelling the crowd. At halftime the club house was packed to the rafters and I bet the club would love to see that many people turning up for all home games.
Galmpton has made a fine start to this season and a win today could mean they moved to the top of the table. I watched Liverton beat Brixham AFC earlier in the season and in that game they had no problems finding the back of the net. But they seem to have lost their way a little bit since then and are now very close to the bottom of the table.
Ginge has done a very good job turning things around at Liverton this season, but today was always going to be a big ask for his players against a team like Galmpton that is in such good form and full of confidence.
The pitch looked in very good condition considering all the bad weather we have had and unbelievably no rain fell during the match and in fact the sun came out for the second half. The very young looking referee kindly let me take a photo of the team sheet, he had a good enough game, but I did feel he was a bit to happy to put players in the book at times. Yes there were plenty of strong tackles in this match, but the ref did not seem to like and players airing any of their views to him as most of the bookings were not for fouls committed.
Before the start of the game a minutes silence was held that was naturally well respected. On the note of noise, there were two ground hoppers close to me and I overheard one of them say the ground lacked any atmosphere. With supporters only one deep around two sides of the ground, you can’t expect to enjoy the sort of atmosphere you would find in a football stadium. There were the odd shouts of encouragement for both sides from some of the people watching the match, what more could anyone present expect?
Galmpton were a very strong and well organised side today and never looked in any danger of losing this match. Their passing was neater and more accurate and they worked hard to win that so important second ball. Their defence were in top form and easily controlled the ever willing Liverton front players. Their midfield won all the important battles and Carl Cliff-Brown did a fantastic job up front for them.
Liverton worked hard enough but could not find those killer passes up to their front men, which meant they created very few goal scoring opportunities in the first half. They did manage to deny Galmpton too many goal scoring opportunities of their own mind you and therefore were always in with a chance of at least getting a point from this game.
For the first fifteen minutes of the first half there was no real goal mouth action at all and the first shot in anger at goal was from Liverton’s number nine Mike Turner. On the edge of the Galmpton box he hit a very powerful shot they just went wide of the left hand post. Liverton came very close to taking the lead when Ollie Aplin headed against the post.
But shortly after this Galmpton look the lead in a good passing move that was started by Carl Cliff-Brown. He received a pass hallway inside the Liverton half and took the ball forward before playing an inch perfect pass to a team mate who in turn played a good ball into the left hand side of the Liverton box to Alex Bayliss. Alex took the ball on a yard or two before firing a good low and hard shot across the keeper into the far right hand side of the goal.
Carl Cliff-Brown came close to getting a second first half goal for his side after a great run and cross into the Liverton box from the right hand side by Liam Jones. Carl got a good head of the ball that only just went over the crossbar. He had a second headed chance just after this that was not so close.
Liverton came close to getting back on level terms close to the end of the first half when Mike Turner turned and hit a good shot close to the penalty spot. He did well to get his hooked shot away but had to stand and watch as the ball went narrowly wide of the left hand post. The final attempt on goal in the half was a good effort from Galmpton’s number eleven Liam Jones who had a very good game for his club.
Liverton started the second half well and won a good number of free kicks in the Galmpton half, but never really threatened the Galmpton goal. They were no top for a good part of the half but always looked in danger of coinciding a second goal.
The referee had let two blatant handballs go unpunished and blew up for one right on the edge of the Liverton box. The decision looked a bit harsh to me but up stepped Galmpton’s number sixteen Krvin Wiltshire to take the free kick. He hit a good right foot shot over the ball into the left hand side of the goal. Galmpton then had another good chance from a free kick from the same distance that was wasted.
Galmpton brought on Thomas Somns? ( is that the correct spelling?) halfway through the second half. A young player who looked rather small but one who clearly has plenty of talent. good with the ball running at players, an eye for a good pass and not afraid to take a shot at goal.
Galmpton went to the top of the table and Liverton found themselves third from bottom. But Liverton look a good enough side to slowly move up the table and away from the bottom of it. They have come a long way from where they were last season when they were getting beat for fun by clubs like Stoke Gabriel.
An enjoyable afternoon and a great game of football, long live local football.
