Post by kilnparkman on Oct 18, 2006 17:47:09 GMT 1
Cup struggle ended badly
A rare Ben Foster goal at Kiln Park in the last minute of this tightly fought derby was enough to see Raunds exit what was their last cup competition of this season.
This mild evening match was even all the way through, with numerous organised and counter attacks – the first notable incident was a short ball from a controversial free kick allowing Spencer through on goal, the shot rebounding back off the far post. A Reply two minutes later forced a save at the other end of the pitch.
The pace of the game only ever quickened, and by the half hour mark there could easily have been goals, Tanner and Symington with chances for Raunds. The best chance of the half, however, fell for ex Shopmates forward Ben Foster, who made the most of a rare defensive error to go through one on one with Freeman, who produced a fantastic block. A corner on the stroke of half time executed perfectly by Danny Frid was the nearest chance for Raunds, yet no one in a red shirt was there to give the final touch, half time score: 0-0.
Action from the home side picked up 15 minutes after the restart when Ian Symington made the goalkeeper stretch after a ball flicked on by Tanner gave him a headed chance at the back post – moments later Ian was unlucky not to take full advantage of a one on one situation, and the deadlock remained. Spencer picked up their game at this point, and the next period of the match was predominantly in the Raunds half, Freeman required to be at the top of his game to keep the ball out of the net, and at one point the crossbar helped save hopes of a clean sheet.
The game looked more even after the introduction of Sol Benjamin, which enabled some speed and strength up front; his long range shot, after being on the field for just a few seconds, was not far off the mark.
Towards the end of the 90 minutes Raunds began to feel the poor decisions of the sporadic officials take their toll, several challenges and off sides seemingly unfair on the home side.
After another valiant display in another one on one with Ben Foster, Freeman found himself unlucky to concede on the stroke of full time from a weak shot after a deflected corner – his ability to see the ball impaired by the crowded goalmouth. The Shopmates tried to make the most of the injury time, and twice came within inches of the crossbar. Clearly it wasn’t to be, with the single goal proving enough to knock Raunds out of the League Cup.
A hard fought game, and a disappointing result, but the league is of more importance, and Raunds will be looking to capitalise on their five games in hand.
Key Players: Michael Freeman and Danny Frid
Att approx: 65
Raunds Town: Michael Freeman, Ash Smith, Jamie Russell, Lee Dorrington (James Wilmott), David Coales, Adam Bridgeford, Callum Ridgway, Dane Ridgway, Ian Symington (Sol Benjamin), Danny Frid, Richard Tanner.
By: LEE DUNKLEY – RAUNDS TOWN PRESS OFFICER
A rare Ben Foster goal at Kiln Park in the last minute of this tightly fought derby was enough to see Raunds exit what was their last cup competition of this season.
This mild evening match was even all the way through, with numerous organised and counter attacks – the first notable incident was a short ball from a controversial free kick allowing Spencer through on goal, the shot rebounding back off the far post. A Reply two minutes later forced a save at the other end of the pitch.
The pace of the game only ever quickened, and by the half hour mark there could easily have been goals, Tanner and Symington with chances for Raunds. The best chance of the half, however, fell for ex Shopmates forward Ben Foster, who made the most of a rare defensive error to go through one on one with Freeman, who produced a fantastic block. A corner on the stroke of half time executed perfectly by Danny Frid was the nearest chance for Raunds, yet no one in a red shirt was there to give the final touch, half time score: 0-0.
Action from the home side picked up 15 minutes after the restart when Ian Symington made the goalkeeper stretch after a ball flicked on by Tanner gave him a headed chance at the back post – moments later Ian was unlucky not to take full advantage of a one on one situation, and the deadlock remained. Spencer picked up their game at this point, and the next period of the match was predominantly in the Raunds half, Freeman required to be at the top of his game to keep the ball out of the net, and at one point the crossbar helped save hopes of a clean sheet.
The game looked more even after the introduction of Sol Benjamin, which enabled some speed and strength up front; his long range shot, after being on the field for just a few seconds, was not far off the mark.
Towards the end of the 90 minutes Raunds began to feel the poor decisions of the sporadic officials take their toll, several challenges and off sides seemingly unfair on the home side.
After another valiant display in another one on one with Ben Foster, Freeman found himself unlucky to concede on the stroke of full time from a weak shot after a deflected corner – his ability to see the ball impaired by the crowded goalmouth. The Shopmates tried to make the most of the injury time, and twice came within inches of the crossbar. Clearly it wasn’t to be, with the single goal proving enough to knock Raunds out of the League Cup.
A hard fought game, and a disappointing result, but the league is of more importance, and Raunds will be looking to capitalise on their five games in hand.
Key Players: Michael Freeman and Danny Frid
Att approx: 65
Raunds Town: Michael Freeman, Ash Smith, Jamie Russell, Lee Dorrington (James Wilmott), David Coales, Adam Bridgeford, Callum Ridgway, Dane Ridgway, Ian Symington (Sol Benjamin), Danny Frid, Richard Tanner.
By: LEE DUNKLEY – RAUNDS TOWN PRESS OFFICER
), and wasn't referring to accuracy etc...