28/08/2009 - Report by Steve Hill

Report: FC Village 0 Claughton Hotel 2

Once again it was highlighted that the Village need to get in a goalscorer to replace the injured as they played much better than their previous game but still fell short in the last third of the pitch. For this early season midweek game the Village lost Kano, Dava, Chris, Jamie and Ritchie from the previous match but saw the return of Paul, Rutter, Josh and Stewy Morrell. They also gave a debut to striker Steve Evans as they attempt to find someone to fill the injured Maggot’s boots and it now looks like it could be a while before he returns. With no Kano Matty donned the keepers jersey and he would put in an accomplished performance between the sticks for a novice; Beattie, Paul and Stewy joined Fletcher in the back four; Rutter and Harper were on the wings with Nick joining Booey and Danny in a five man midfield with Evo up front leaving Scott, Josh and Spud on the bench.

Back on their normal pitch the Village took a while to get going but with a much changed line up they gave last year champions and the team that had won 16-0 on the opening day something to think about. With Rutter and Evo chasing everything they forced some decent pressure without really creating any clear cut chances. Then midway through the half the side was forced to make their first change when Stewy came off as he was still feeling unwell, so Harper went back to left back and Josh slotted in on the left wing. Then came the first of two mistakes that would cost them the game when they failed to clear a second ball from a long goal kick and a through pass put a visiting forward in the clear and he made it 1-0.

Still trailing at half time the game exploded at the start of the second half when there was some confrontation in the midfield between Danny and one of the Claughton players. After nearly everyone else jumped in to separate them the ref eventually pulled out the red card and they were both off. With the Village replacing the tiring Rutter with Scott they now took the ascendancy in the game and pushed forward for an equaliser. However for all their pressure with free kicks and corners they never really tested the Claughton keeper and paid the price some ten minutes before the end. Beattie was caught in possession just inside the Village half and the visitors broke free and Matty was unable to stop them from making it 2-0 and securing the two points. The Village now replaced Evo with Spud but still failed to test the keeper and the game petered out for them and a second home defeat of the season already. Still goalless and pointless these are testing times for the side and it could be a long hard season if they either don’t get their injured players back or replace them.

Team Line-up: Smith: Beattie(D), Stewart, Fletcher, Morrell(Stewart)(Dunroe); Rutter(Morell(Scott)), Jones, Easterbrook, Whorton, Harper; Evans(Greenfield)
Subs not used:- Doran

More photos from this game click here