Match Report

New Brancepeth 1 v 3 Steelers

The first friendly of the season after only 6 training sessions proved to be a very fruitful exercise, considering that the squad had not been together as a complete unit during the pre season training with several of the new signings not being available for one reason or another.

All 3 of the new lads had healthy games and seemed to fit in instantly. This was also helped along by the core crew of the Steelers outfit from previous years all having very steady games themselves which made the nestling in process all the easier.

Steelers did have the better of the exchanges during the first quarter of an hour and this paid off with an early goal on12 minutes. Willy took an early throw and this set Michael Nichol up on the right hand side. After beating the full back on the outside and nearing the by line he crossed an inch perfect ball from the side line towards the back part of the goal. JC was there to score the first score of this season and carry on his actions from the previous year. He took his goal with ease as he volleyed Michael’s cross to beat the home keeper.

From about 20 minutes in the home side started to pull things together themselves and it was last season player of the season that was orchestrating New Brancepeth’s affairs. Craig Hindmarch was dynamic throughout and received my man of the match for the opposition.

Although the home side breached our defence by splitting our centre halves from on occasions, Kerry Moralee was on hand to keep the sheet clean with two very good saves to boot.

Craig Mountain had probably our best effort on target other than JC’s goal, but the powerful shot was blocked without knowing by a Brancepeth player. Craig put that much venom into the effort he has damaged his ankle tendons for added measure and may be out for the next few games.

Ben Harris and Michael Webster both had ¼ chances in the first 45 but nothing that troubled the home goal any further.



At the break I made 4 substitutions to give the entire bench as much of a run out as possible. Things progressed OK with these changes and didn’t play any part in New Brancepeth’s equaliser which came early in the second period.

From the same side of the pitch as we scored from, the Black & Whites crossed from the right and this was met in a similar position to JC’s goal only with a more difficult finish for the receiver. A round house volley was taken with aplomb to level the scores.

Although the possession was about equal the Steelers created more incidents in the final third of the home defence. Our second goal was from a set piece and who better to deliver the ball than Craig Thompson. His in-swinging centre was flicked on majestically towards goal by Michael Nichol, but well before it could cross the line Iain Race came thundering in to make head meet leather and power it beyond all from 4 yards out.

The game swung backwards and forwards for the remainder of the match but the final say went to the visitors as man of the match Ben Harris put the icing on the cake. Michael Nichol had provided the first two but his Robin in the waiting wasn’t going to be left out of the picture. Mally turned the provider with a great defence splitting ball through to Ben and seeing the keeper advancing off his line he lopped him to drop the ball beyond the chasing defender and into the net.

3-1 the final score and a very happy camp for the run up to Sundays home game against Consett League top team – Annfield Plain Demi.

Goals:
Jamie Clifford
Iain Race
Ben Harris

MOM from Manager:
Adam Malekpour

MOM from Opposition:
Ben Harris

3 Stars:
Adam Malekpour
Ben Harris

2 Stars:
Michael Quinn

1 Star:
Iain Race
Michael Nichol

Yellow Cards:
None

Red Cards:
None

Achievements:
None