East Leake Banthams

Sunday 5th December 2004

East Leake were quite unrecognisable from the team that Sports played in the opening game of the season. 

Directly from the kick off it was obvious that the home side were fired up and willing to scrap for every ball. This said though it was Sports who were playing the better football and creating all the chances. Emilio Monaci continued to impress, as he shot just wide after a forceful run from midfield. With five corners in as many minutes the East Leake defence were struggling to clear their lines when Emilio Monaci collected the ball on the edge of the box and drilled in a shot that looked destined for the top corner. The keeper did brilliantly to get a hand to the ball, but could do nothing more than push it onto one of his own defenders who deflected it into the net for the cruelest of own goals. With Thomas Howarth in commanding form at the heart of defence, and Ben O & Rocket Ronnie coming more into the game Sports were now starting to dominate play. East Leake were trying desperately to keep the score at 1-0 as half time approached.

 

The second half saw a return to match football after a long lay off for Will Olney in the Sports goal, giving Carter Newton the chance to boss things in midfield. After a few half chances it was Carter who came closest to scoring when his lofted free kick bounced just the wrong side of the far post. Thomas Howarth was next up with a good long range effort just wide. But the much needed second goal did eventually come when the tireless Conner Gilby managed to somehow carve a way through the packed defence and slot the ball in at the far post for a cracking solo goal. The same player almost scored again when Ben Oscroft ghosted past two men and fed Emilio who picked out Conner only for his shot to bounce back off the foot of the post.

Thomas Howarth just about topped the long list of candidates for man of the match, after a faultless second half display. In difficult circumstances this turned out to be a top draw team performance that fully warranted the 2-0 win.