Staveley first team manager James Colliver brought his
Sunday side Handsworth Turf Tavern to a rain lashed Inkersall road to face the
welfares under 21s managed by Jay Ropers and Steve Bates.
The visitors created a couple of early chances, but
staveleys defence held firm and after weathering the storm Staveleys youngsters
dominated the possession and by 90 minutes the score sheet aswell.
The first half ended goal less however but not for the want
of trying, number 11 Matt Cowan was doing his level best to break the deadlock
cutting in from the left wing time and time again forcing the Taverns ‘keeper
to make several decent saves.
The best chance fell to centre half Joe Harris who shot over
after the ball fell to him 6 yards out following a corner.
Close to half time former Staveley player Steve Brammer and
Staveleys Brad Jones were involved in a fracas, the referee used common sense
by forcing both players to be substituted. Both would return to the action
later though, benefiting from “having five minutes” as rolling subs were the
order of the day.
0-0 Halftime
One of those subs Charlie Board made an immediate impact
crossing for George Johnson to cutely flick the ball over the ‘keeper after he
had dived at the feet of the midfielder.
1-0
Greg Fitzpatrick then got in on the action his drive from
the edge of the box found the bottom corner. To make it…
2-0
And then the man of the first half Matt Cowan centred for
the man of the second half Charlie Board who slotted home Staveleys third from
8 yards after controlling the ball from Cowan.
3-0
It could have been more as Staveley made full use of their
squad, and usually when players are on and off all the time it weakens the side
/ flow of the game, but the players that came on slotted seamlessly into the
side and could have increased the lead still further Arron Bright and Ryan Lawty
making notable contributions, and to be honest they would slot seamlessly into
the first team if required.
It wasn’t to be however and the game ended 3-0.
Staveley line up: 1.Butt 2.Watters 3.Finnigan.4.Bates
5.Jones 6.Harris 7.Jessop 8.Johnson 9.Walters 10.Fitzpatrick. 11Cowan.
Subs:12Lambert 14.Lawty 15.Bright 16.J.Damms 17.Board.
