Daten v Grapp Res 11/08/11
New manager Darren Davies, supported by experienced ex-1st team manager, and his father Steven Davies took charge for the 1st time as Grappenhall Sports reserves started there league campaign with a midweek derby fixture against Daten. The game was watched by 1st team manager, Mark Pye and gave the players on show an opportunity to impress the new managers and their backroom staff.
Grappenhall stated the game brightly and dominated the early stages and in the process they managed to play some neat football. This was evidenced when following a five man move Sam Shaw slipped a superb slide rule ball through to put Sam Caddick in on goal after 10 minutes.... unfortunately, Caddick was unable to test the keeper and shot over. This was the highlight of Grappenhall’s half and from there Daten controlled the encounter. They were rewarded for their better retention of the football when a goal mouth scramble ensued, after a dangerous corner. Grappenhall failed to clear on 3 occasions before the ball was smashed in from 8 yards, giving the keeper no chance.
Manager Davies who had been vocal throughout the 1st stanza decided to change the shape of the team and the team returned to the field in a 3-5-2 formation. Davies indicated that he wanted to try and take control of the midfield and allow Sam Shaw to receive more support up front. The change seemed to work, as Grappenhall, without playing a great brand of soccer, started to play more in the opponents half. Eventually, this told as Pete Jones scored directly from a corner. The atmosphere at Stockton Lane changed and Grappenhall sensed that they would go onto win it in the last 20 and they did seem the more likely. However, disaster struck for the Davies double act and their team as Daten scored with only minutes left after Grappenhall again conceded from a corner, allowing a Daten player to score from only 4 yards out. It was too late for Sports to reply and Daten left with the spoils.
The Manager says:
“We started brightly and should have been 1 or 2 to the good but from there the 1st half belonged to them and they dictated the tempo of the game and they deserved there slim lead at the break. I changed things at half-time and moved Elcoat into midfield and changed the shape and it had an impact. I was delighted when we scored and thought we would then be the more likely. It was a bad goal to concede and so late on but we will work on that and try and minimise these types of goals as the season progresses”
Daz's MOM: Tom Buckley
Daten's MOM: Tim Eccelstone
