Post by Dave on Nov 7, 2015 18:24:54 GMT
South Devon league Division Four
Roselands 2nds V Broadmeadow
Saturday 7th November 2015 Kick-Off 2.30pm
Venue Paignton Community College 3G
Referee Oli Willcocks
Final Score Roselands 2nds 1 Broadmeadow 1
Torbay was bashed all morning by a terrible storm that saw the whole of the local football programme wiped out except one game played on the Paignton Community College 3G pitch. Even the Torquay United game was called off at 1pm today and yet I watched a game in perfect sunshine played on the most perfect of surfaces.
As I walked back to my car after the game I asked myself if that really was a division four game I had just watched and only because the standard was so high from both teams. It could be argued that playing on such a good pitch, will encourage players to pass the ball better, it certainly helps, but today it was more about the way both teams went about playing this game the way it was meant to be played.
Before the start of the game Roseland’s were sitting in fourth place in the league on twelve points having played six games, wining four of them and losing two. Broadmeadow had played a game less and were in sixth place on ten points, winning three games, drawing one and losing one
Before I talk about the match itself I want to say something about today’s referee. Its well known the South Devon league is short of referees this season and its good they are trying to do something about it.
Today’s referee looked very young indeed and I could be wrong but I believe he came up from Cornwall to do this game. Nothing wrong with that, but when the Roseland’s manager mentioned substitutes before the start of the game; the referee said rolling subs would be used. It was pointed out to him this was a SDL game and roll off, roll on subs were not used in this league. He replied that Phil had not told him that and they were used down in the Cornwall League.
At the end of the day I know everyone would rather have a neutral referee in the middle, but it does help if he knows not only the rules of the game, but the rules concerning the league he is refereeing in.
The game kicked off and Broadmeadow made the better start with plenty of neat passing and movement and it did not take them long to take the lead. A Roseland’s defender under no real pressure decided to hit a long back pass to his keeper Scott Staddon. Scott was a bit slow to come off his line and Broadmeadows number nine Charlie Ross sensing the keeper was not going to get to the ball before he could, ran after the back pass. He got there before the keeper and neatly rounded him before playing and inch perfect pass to his team mate Daniel Kenward to fire home.
Roseland’s Daniel Duncawson had a half chance to get his side back onto level terms, but from just inside the left hand side of the Broadmeadow box, he blasted his effort of the crossbar.
The next good chance also fell Roseland’s way when Connor Ashton found himself in on goal after the ball was headed on from a kick by the Roseland’s keeper. It was one of those chances he needed to put his boot through, but instead he went for a tame lob that cleared the bar.
Roseland’s did not have to wait too long after that missed chance to get back onto level terms, a wonder strike from Liam Walton. He was some thirty yards from goal when the ball came out of the box to him, he hit a powerful low shot that Pete Shillabeer in goal for Broadmeadow did well to get a hand on, but due to the power in the shot could not stop from hitting the back of the net. Just before the break Roseland’s Connor Ashton hit a fine long rage shot that was spectacularly saved by Pete Shillabeer
So halftime and referee Oli Willcocks decided to provided some halftime entertainment showing of his ball control along with a few tricks, best stick to the refereeing Mr Willcocks.
The second half was very much a repeat of the first half with Broadmeadow just playing the slightly better football. One early second half move that was the best of the match ended up with a shot from Will Bruce that only just cleared the crossbar.
Roseland’s goal scorer fancied his chances again from distance, only this time he sent the ball high over the crossbar. He then went and got himself booked for a challenge on the halfway line.
Roseland’s came close to taking the lead after some great work by Daniel Pagett. He had the ball he lost it, he battled hard and got the ball back again, he twisted this way and then that way on the edge of the Broadmeadow box to make room for a shot that was tipped over the crossbar by Pete Shillabeer.
Despite the better passing by Broadmeadow the better chances were falling to Roseland’s. Mathew Bleakley shot well wide from just out side the box, Daniel Pagett only managed to fire the ball into the keeper’s body when he was down on the ground by the right hand post and Liam Walton hit a thirty yard effort wide of the right hand post.
A good and enjoyable game to watch and like I said played at a high standard, I wish both clubs all the best for the rest of the season.
