28/11/2009

Dorset League Division 2

Sturminster Marshall Res 3  Blandford Sports 2

After a 5 week break due to bad weather and lack of fixtures, Stur finally resumed their league campaign at home to in-form Blandford Sports.

Stur, as always, started brightly and with some attractive football being displayed it wasn’t long until the home side took the lead. A quick throw from Miller on the left flank saw Dave Johnston cut into the opposition area, beating several defenders and side footing home to make it 1-0.

Typically to how this season has started though, rather than pushing on and really stamping our authority on the game, the reserve side began to let a physical Blandford side back into the game, and with the loss of Scottie Thomas after just 20 minutes due to a head injury, the visitors started to get themselves in the driving seat. On came Logan to replace the injured Thomas.

Blandford drew level on 25 minutes after the ball fell to an opposition striker who fired home at the near post and it wasn’t too long until their possession told again, as an unfortunate deflection saw Talbot in the Stur goal  wrong footed and the visitors went 2-1 up heading into half time.

Half-time 1 – 2

After a half time dressing down by manager Foster, the reserves knew that they can’t just turn up and expect to win games without putting in any effort and this seemed to spark the home side back to life. Following a lot of possession and several chances at goal, along came the game changing moment.

Jack Geddes broke down the right flank only to end up in a minor disagreement with the giant visiting centre half who’s following actions saw him being booked for the second time in the match which in turn produced a justified red card. The referee seemingly agreeing you can’t walk round throwing your considerably excess weight around and trying to throttle people.

The 1 man advantage quickly told as Gareth Thomas dinked a through ball for Jones to latch on to and he made no mistake in beating the advancing Blandford keeper to draw the scores level at 2-2.

The Blandford keeper then picked up an injury and Stur took advantage of this as a long free kick from Littler found Jones in the opposition area to net his second of the game and put Stur 3-2 up.

After taking the lead Foster decided to freshen up the side and on came Steve Johnston and Rudd at the expense of Luke Geddes and Dave Johnston with 20 minutes remaining.

The fresh legs seemed to have the desired effect but a lack of quality finishing and Logan being guilty of missing the easiest chance of the game saw Stur hanging on until the dying minutes. Only a fine save from Talbot in the home goal with the last action of the game allowed Stur to hold on to take all 3 points.

The result sees the reserves go back to the top of Division 2 but again the performance was a disappointing one. Competition for places is hotting up and several players are going to have to up their game or risk losing their places to those unfortunate to miss out this week.