Greenalls Res 5 Grapp Sports 1 20/08/11
Local Derby’s are always tough and they don’t come much more that Greenall’s away. A task made much more difficult by 7 players not being available from the superb midweek win at Billinge and Greenalls having some experienced quality in their team.
Sports started the brighter and the inclusion of youngsters, Ste Lloyd and Ryan Matthews was having a positive impact. Grappenhall were playing some fluent football and looked the brighter of the 2 teams. Tom Horsley went close when he hit the post on the half hour. Greenalls looked dangerous from dead ball situations and hit the bar with a header from a corner. All square at the break but Davies seemed satisfied with the showing at the break.
The 2nd stanza started in much the same vain and Grappenhall looked threatening. Ranni forced a good save from the keeper when one on one with him and then veteran Coyne, who had replaced an injured Woodall at the break, bagged a superb header from another quality Ryan Matthews corner. Grappenhall looked set to kick on Greenalls were becoming increasingly frustrated.
Then things turned dramatically, a superb 25 yard strike levelled the scores, there was nothing that new keeper Macca could do about it. From there though Grappenhall gifted the three points to the opposition and for the first time this season Davies was lost for words and was silenced. From kick off after the equaliser Grappenhall gave the ball away, one pass and goal, 2-1. From kick off after going behind, Grappenhall gave the ball away, one pass and goal, 3-1. Yes, I am repeating myself but that is how it was. Grappenhall then chased the game but Greenalls were using their experience and hit Grappenhall on the break two more time and Davies was happy to hear the final whistle with the game standing at 5-1.
Manager Says:
“it was a bizarre game, it was even 1st half and I was happy with how we were playing. I had moved Ryan Matthews into the middle and he relished it and led us forward, making us dangerous. At half time I was a little concerned that we looked vulnerable but we had a number of new faces in the team so sort of expected that. I never thought when we went 1-0 to the good we would lose the game 5-1. Scoring was the worst thing that happened to us. The spirit, desire, work rate and shape that we had been developing so well was lost the minute they scored. I’ve told the lads the 2nd and 3rd goals are completely unacceptable. You cannot concede 3 goals in 2 minutes at any level and teams like this will make us pay. We have to learn from this and I am confident that we will. We have the perfect chance to get over this on Thursday at home to Garswood and I fully expect us to respond”.
MOM: Ryan Matthews
