Photos: Ruth Gibson
The conditions were not perfect for what would be a very skilled match with both teams fighting against high winds as well as the opposition. Langwith started strong with a near miss from Danny Mullen in the opening minutes of the game. Goodricke returned with consistent pressure near the Langwith area but were denied a chance at goal by effective defending.
The game was characterised by very compact play in the early stages as both teams felt the fear of conceding more than desire for a goal.Goodricke maintained their pressure on the opposition’s defence while sporadic Langwith attacks came through with quick action upon opportunistic breaks. Goodricke’s Will Ward almost found Mizan Ally with an intelligent through ball after a piercing run through the Langwith midfield but he was skilfully denied by the Langwith centre back.
Mid-way through the half, an adventurous corner from Langwith’s Danny Mullen found Micheal Palmer on the far post, whose firm header into the left corner put Langwith 1-0 and prompted a spontaneous pitch invasion from two enthusiastic Langwith supporters.
Goodricke contined to work for the equaliser, and Will Ward lived up to his eventual status as Man of the Match; with inspired play in both the defensive and attacking sides of the pitch, Ward definitely proved you can be jack of all trades and master of them too.
There was an almost brutal shot on goal by Christian ‘MC’ Hammer, proving that he can indeed touch this, left the Langwith keeper’s hands stinging. Unable to cope with Adam Botterill’s quick shot on the rebound, Goodricke equalised just before the whistle soon blew, making the score 1-1 at half time.
Goodricke came back fighting in the second half with a quick attack, startling the Langwith defence from a post-half time relaxation. This allowed Matt Sutherland to break through with a skilful attack; a good run down the right wing was finished with a exellent cross but this failed to find a player. Langwith battled back with Luke Holbrook setting up Sam Rooney for a blazing shot across goal that flew wide.
Careful and considered passing and movement from the Goodricke side dominated the second half with Sutherland again pushing at goal, this time scuffing the crossbar. A goal kick landed the Langwith defender on his backside and Sutherland with another break.
A substitution and a quick switching of positions failed to bring Langwith out of their defensive funk. A throw in from Matt Thomas bounced in the box before being expertly volleyed into the back of the net by Will Ward, putting Goodricke 2-1 ahead for the last fifteen minutes of the game.
The spectators and players alike erupted when Langwith felt a stray foot had unfairly connected with Goodricke just outside of the Langwith box. The referee seemed to be signalling for a penalty but quickly changed his mind to a goal kick to Goodricke. This was followed minutes later by a controversial call regarding a supposed handball in the Goodricke penalty area.
Despite a Langwith attack in the last minutes, in which the Captain was heard to ask the goalie to follow the attack down the field, the whistle blew making the final score 2-1. Goodricke captain Matt Thomas commented his team had put up a “fighting display” and were happy to qualify for the plate. Langwith were magnanimous in defeat with Captain Burnell commenting on Goodricke’s surge of confidence on their first goal.
Man of the Match: Will Ward
It’s Will Ward, not Warn. Also its not Bostrall its Botterill. Thanks a lot.
Apologies, the names have been corrected.