Random Player

Liam Bowes

Played (Sub)	12 (1)
Goals	1
MOM	4

Match Report

Steelers 1 v 1 Pelton RAOB

6 weeks ago we were put to the sword by Pelton RAOB but today’s performance brought a smile to the entire squad as we went someway to rectifying the 9-1 defeat back on August 25th. The opposition were a bit mystified at some of the lad’s final whistle joyous celebrations when only getting a draw but today’s result felt as good as any victory when you take the circumstances of our season to date.

This was a match that was played at a very high tempo with both sides contributing to a good game of football that was enjoyed by a healthy crowd. There were plenty of talking points during the 90 minutes and all for the right reasons. Lindsey Robinson officiated for this game, with her last Steelers fixture being the Guards Cup Final last season and she played her part in ensuring the contest flowed freely.

Kicking with the wind in the first half the Steelers created the better of the chances but failed to open the scoring. As early as the tenth minute Marty Merren ventured down the right flank and crossed a beautiful ball to the back post with Adam Malekpour’s header from 6 yards finely saved by Creswell. A few minutes later Thompson ventured forward in his wing back role and with good combination play he found himself well into the Pelton box and the resulting shot from him rebounded off the right hand post.

Further good opportunities fell to the Steelers when our players should have maybe have been a bit more direct and gone for goal themselves but the option taken was to pull the ball unselfishly back into the centre of the box with little arising from the cross.

Kerry Moralee pulled off one good save during the first half but the visiting keeper was by far the busier with the wind giving us a little bit of an edge.

The second half was very much like the first with a good quality of football played by both teams. Pelton had the wind to support them but our game plan worked well to nullify their attacking options and if anything the Steelers slightly edged the percentage of chances made.

Yes, Pelton did breach our backline as the game wore on but their finishing was a little off target on the day and didn’t trouble our keeper too much. On two of the occasions when they broke our rearguard Craig Thompson was there to clear off the line and Michael Quinn put the other effort onto his own cross bar and out for a corner.

Although the wind was against us during this period we created plenty of chances ourselves. Substitute Iain Race had a long range free kick turned around the post by Creswell and more miraculously, a bullet header that looked to be beyond the keeper who somehow pulled off a Gordon Banks type save to claw the ball back out.

Stuart Dawson, Adam Malekpour and Ben Harris all had efforts on goal and even Jamie Clifford who was an 89th minute sub had a half chance before the final whistle but lets get down to the two goals that were scored. Pelton opened the game up on 61 minutes when a quick break saw them stride down the left and with plenty of advancing midfielders to pick from the ball was pulled back for one of them to fire home. This could have seen the Steelers wilt in the face of quality opposition but they came back with as much gusto as had been previously shown.

Malekpour grabbed the home goal to take his current tally to 4 and head the scoring charts once again. Thompson supplied a top drawer ball from a deep left position and like Niall Quinn in his heyday (Mally’s only a good foot shorter though) he brought the ball down from his chest and into to his path before placing a beautiful right foot shot across their keeper.

It was hard to pick the stars today as everyone in the team put in a heroic performance. The entire defence were top class in shackling a strong Pelton forward line and equally backed up by a strong midfield that saw Centre Forward Liam Burn come into the middle to do a job for the lads and Craig Thompson putting in an excellent second half. And when the ball was played forward the strikers helped the team out with Ben Harris exceptional in holding up and buying time before creating opportunities for supporting players.

To some it may only have been 1 point but what a valuable point it may be come May 2012 as we know we will have to scrap for everything this season as nothing is given easy in this division.

Michael Quinn was back to his usual best and received Peltons MOM with Adam Malekpour receiving the same award from me. I gave the oppositions MOM award to Creswell for what was a fine performance in the net.