Post by Dave on Sept 11, 2021 8:47:22 GMT
Match Referee Keith Hawkins
Final Score Galmpton United 2 Elburton Villa 2nd 1
Match Preview
I covered Galmpton’s opening game of the 2020/ 2021 season against Buckfastleigh Rangers 2nd on the 5th September 2020, a game they won handsomely by seven goals to nil. In my pre match report I talked about how the club had left the Southwest Peninsula League a few seasons before and started a new life in the forth division of the South Devon league.
Back to back promotions saw the club rise to the first division of the league and the clubs five year plan to play in the premier league was well on track. In early August the SDL Committee confirmed Galmpton would be playing the 2021/2022 season in the premier league so the club has got there ahead of schedule.
On my visit to the club last season the feeling of doom and gloom that had hung over the club a number of seasons before was long gone. Replaced by a real drive and enthusiastic desire to greatly improve the club both on and off the field. The vast improvements were there for all to see, but sadly as we know, last season ended up also falling victim to the covid virus.
Elburton Villa 2nd are a team I have never covered before, I have only ever covered games featuring their first team including a very enjoyable preseason friendly against Buckland Athletic on the 13th of July 2013, the one and only time I have been to the Hayes Road ground.
davesworld.proboards.com/thread/267/elburton-villa-buckland-athletic-2013
Elburton Villa 2nd have already played one game so far this season on Saturday 4th of September at home against Newton Abbot 66 1st, a game they won by three goals to two. The result has seen Villa claim 3rd spot in the table with Buckfastleigh sitting at the top of the table on six points after winning both of their opening games.
Galmpton will be looking to start their new season in the premier league with a convincing win, while Villa will be looking to build on their success from their opening game, its going to be an interesting match for sure.
Match Report
You know what football ground you are at when you hear the whistle of a stream train chugging by, Galmpton’s ground is right next to the Churston Station which is used by the Dartmouth Steam Railway, it’s a lovely sound.
Many thanks to match referee Keith Hawkins and the managers of both clubs with their help with todays team sheet. There has been even further improvements made to the Memorial Ground and it was all looking very smart and worthy of a club playing at a higher level.
The match got under way and it was all pretty even for the first ten minutes but as the game wore on Galmpton started to get on top. Daniel White had the first real chance of the match for Galmpton, running into the right hand side of the Elburton box, but his shot flew over the crossbar.
Galmpton scored the opening goal soon afterwards, Will Baker played in Max Prestwood into the right hand side of the Elburton box, who in turn played a low cross that the keeper could not come for and was met at the far post by Craig White who fired the ball into the back of the net.
Galmpton could have added to their lead when Max Prestwood was played into the box with just Alfie Eccles in goal for Elburton to beat, he looked certain to score but dragged his shot across the goal mouth and wide of the left hand post.
As hard as Elburton worked during the first half, they were unable to create any real goal scoring opportunities and so the first half of the match came to an end with Galmpton leading by the single goal.
Galmpton started the second half as strongly as they finished the first one after some good work by Samuel Massy Galmpton were on the attack again. He played a neat ball to Dave Worthington who made a neat turn, but his shot was wild and missed the target by some distance.
Max Prestwood went on another good run, but fired his shot over the crossbar, The Elburton keeper came under attack and had to make a number of saves as shots rained in on him, most he was only able to palm down with the ball always going loose into dangerous areas, but there was never a Galmpton player close enough to get on the end of those loose balls.
The Elburton keeper then found himself well off his goal line and from 30 yards Richard Ridley hit a very powerful shot at the unguarded goal, but his shot also flew over the crossbar.
A long ball over the top from inside the Galmpton half, beat the Elburton off side trap and played in Dave Worthington who marched towards the Elburton goal firing a low shot under Alfie Eccles body into the back of the net.
Elburton moved up a gear and started enjoying more of the game, their number nine, (no numbers provided for the subs) hit a good low shot across Warren Hogg in goal for Galmpton who equally made a fine save low down. Callum Nightingale a second half sub for Galmpton went on a great run down the right hand side of the pitch, he cut inside but his shot hit the side netting.
We were then treated to some entertainment when match referee decided to pause the action and come over and have a word with the Galmpton linesman. Keith asked him to stop coaching his team from the touchline. The linesman pleaded his innocence, but Keith was having none of it. The final match photo shows them kissing and making up.
Elburton were enjoying a really good spell and were rewarded for their effort when their number nine was played in with a ball over the top of the Galmpton defence that he finished coolly firing the ball over the goal line.
Seconds later he was played in again with another ball over the top, but this time he tried close in to chip the ball over the keeper, but Warren Hogg made himself as big as he could and threw his arms high into the air and blocked the shot.
Keith Hawkins blew up for the end of the match, while Galmpton were made to work hard for their win, on the balance of play they were the better side today and fully deserved it. A really enjoyable game to watch, completive, plenty of strong tackles, but none worthy of going into the referees notebook.
