Match Report

Sedgefield St E 9 v 0 Steelers

What a weekend this has been. A fantastic Saturday was followed by a punishing Sunday yet spirits remain high around the camp. It’s not easy to bounce back from our biggest defeat in the 6 years we have been going but there were plenty of positive’s to draw from the mauling we received today.

Saturday saw me in the banqueting suite at the Stadium of Light as a guest of Colin Wilkinson who is the owner of CD Electrical. I thank Colin personally for his kind invite and it was a great pleasure to be amongst a topping bunch of lads even though the majority of them were of a different faith. Colin even gave me the signed match ball to raffle at a future Steelers do so watch out for that one lads.

The inspiration chat I had with Kevin Ball after the Sunderland match and used as a tool to motivate our dressing room could not thwart Sedgefield St Edmunds from putting 9 past us to record our biggest loss to date. At this point I must thank Simon Bourne who travelled from Hartlepool to make the numbers up and although he expected to be one of the subs he got a shock when he found out he was in the starting eleven at 10.15. Not easy when you have been out the game for a long while.

Fielding a bare 11 with only Hightower as the only sub despite still nursing his broken finger the lads gave their all and didn’t let the shortage of numbers affect their mentality. A penalty within the 1st minute and an own goal in the 4th still didn’t dent their attitude and bravery and despite going 3 down shortly afterwards the team played some decent football as they strived to show what they are made of. It was harsh to concede a 4th just before half time as the Steelers played some decent football during the middle spell.

16 year old Ryan Grayson deputised between the sticks for the second game running and the centre forward suffered the harsh reality of the Premier League but I pat him on the back for having the guts to stand up to the oche, especially when he is used to banging them in at the other end. I may give the shell shocked young lad a well earned break for the next match and hopefully we may have Hightower back between the posts.



The second half was pretty much like the first where we played a little bit of our own football but the home teams dominance was too great on the day. With lads playing out of position, St Eds grabbed the opportunity to boost their own morale and goal difference as they tucked away another 5 in the second period.

We did force the home keeper into a couple of good saves but the little he had to do he did very well. Our injured keeper was forced into action with 22 minutes to go. Simon Bourne’s legs were hanging off as he had not played in many a while so it was the super fit Hightower that was his only replacement. The lads had a good laugh in the dressing room before we left for the field as he tried to get his massive frame into the usually large sub suit. What a site seeing his calves and ankles on show as the suit was stretched to the hilt.

He thought he was going up front like he did a couple of years ago on his previous, solitary outfield performance. Oh, no!!! get him in the thick of it among the other defenders. To be fair, he did very well and had a nice touch but there is some inroads to make regarding his overall fitness. I though the broken finger may have curbed his eating a little but it looks as though there is the odd fish supper to work off ha,ha! Saying that he did get as far as the oppositions 18 yard box on a couple of occasions.

Considering the circumstances & situation of our team at the minute I wasn’t too dismayed at the final result. Yes it hurts like hell to be on the end of any defeat but my heart went out to the lads today and I thank the ones who made this lengthy trip on a dirty foggy morning as your tenacity was overwhelming. I did also pray for the fog to come in thicker but even this was against us.

This was the first time we have had Mr Peter Connor officiating one of our games and he had a great performance. I sincerely hope we have him again in the near future.

We finished off the day having a beer with the league leaders at their home drinking hole, The Black Lion.

Goals:
None

MOM from Manager:
Michael Webster

MOM from Opposition:
Liam Burn

3 Stars:
Michael Webster
Liam Burn

2 Stars:
Craig Mountain

1 Star:
Kieron Moralee
Craig Thompson

Yellow Cards:
None

Red Cards:
None

Achievements:
None