Faringdon Town v Shrivenham Res, Tucker Park – 9/9/17 15:00
Town welcomed local rivals Shrivenham Reserves to Tucker Park looking to build upon their 100% start to the league campaign. The pitch was looking great before the game and the lads looked up for it during the warm-up.
Prior to going out, we spoke about getting the ball down and playing, keeping the ball moving and making the opposition work hard to chase the ball. We had defended well this season and we obviously keen to do so again. We discussed not letting the occasion of a local derby getting on top of us (as it did against Clanfield) and Manager Darryl Curtis reiterated the need for what have proved to be the foundations of our impressive start to the season – DISCIPLINE, PATIENCE, SHAPE!!
Just prior to the game kicking off, the heavens opened and the pitch became zippy which emphasised the importance of accurate passing and a good first touch. We also noted that this would make it tricky for both keepers, so knew we had to protect Lee Murby in the Town goal and test the keeper at the other end with shots and crosses.
Five minutes in and we had struggled to settle into the game as well as we know we can. Our play is a little scrappy and whilst we were trying to pass it, we were turning over possession too frequently. The zippy pitch proving to be an issue which we needed to overcome.
Ten minutes in and Town create the first chance of the game with a corner from the left-hand side. Ryan Bradbury whipped a good corner with pace which was met well by James Tranter who connected at the back post and headed it back the way it came – only to see it clip the bar and go over.
Five minutes later and Town were putting the visitors under more pressure from corners. Two in quick succession resulted in Centre Back Josh Forth meeting Christian Wills’ corner from the right but being unable to get over it and test the keeper. Town were looking dangerous from corners and deep free kicks.
Twenty minutes in and Town break the deadlock. Ryan Bradbury, Adam Finney and Matty Pill are trying to move the ball around in centre midfield. The ball ricochets a couple of times and finds its way to Ryan Bradbury – after some good footwork to create a yard of space, Ryan unleashes a good effort on goal from 25 yards which evades the keeper and ends up in the back of the net. What a strike!! Town 1-0 up!!
Thirty minutes in and in all honesty we hadn’t settled after our goal. We were nervous on the ball and looking scrappy. Our passing wasn’t at the level it needed to be in order to further get a grip on the game and as a result, we were letting Shrivenham settle into the game and get a foothold.
A couple of minutes before half time and Town had another corner from the right which was causing the visitor’s defence problems. Christian Wills put the corner across which was met by Joe Clausen who directed it towards goal, Richard Evans tried to flick it passed the keeper only for him to see it go over the bar.
Stoppage time at the end of the first half and the inevitable happens – we had let the visitors settle into the game and they were becoming more confident. We had slightly lost our shape across midfield and Shrivenham were able to move the ball to their wide midfielder who found himself 25 yards out and in space. He took one touch to set himself and found the bottom left-hand corner of Lee Murby’s goal with a strong effort. Town had conceded a goal for the first time this season with what proved to be the last kick of the first half. 1-1.
At half time, the boys were obviously a little deflated to have conceded right on the whistle. However, Darryl and Dan assured the boys that they were the better side in the first half. We had created more chances and looked dangerous from corners – whilst our passing could improve, we were trying to play which was encouraging. It was important we went out for the second half with a positive attitude and continue to put the opposition under pressure and not sit off them.
Ten minutes into the second half and Town were creating more chances. Richard Evans found himself in behind the opponents back line and got a good shot off in the box – only to see it blocked well by the defender. The ball just didn’t come down quick enough which allowed the defender to get back in.
On 60 minutes Town made a double substitution. Mike Van de Mortel was introduced up front and Will Bazen in Centre Midfield in place of Richard Evans and Adam Finney. Town’s management feeling that we needed to freshen it up a little in midfield and introduce Mike up top in order to try and link the play up and get the wide players into the game more.
Five minutes later and the substitutions paid off. Some great work in midfield by Matty Pill as he rode two or three challenges and released Mike Van de Mortel who took a great first touch and drilled the ball into the back of the net with his left foot beyond the keeper’s outstretched arm. Town 2-1 up.
Matty Pill was beginning to run things now for Town as we continued to try and play and find a third goal that would put the result beyond doubt. On 80 minutes some good link up play between Matty Pill and Mike Van de Mortel resulted in Mike putting Ryan Bradbury in on goal only for him to be fouled in the box when trying to get a shot off – penalty!! Captain Matty Pill steps up and is ice cool, slotting it into the left-hand corner of the goal with aplomb. 3-1 up!!
It was important we managed the last ten minutes of the game effectively and saw the game out. Shrivenham had one more effort on goal when a long ball found its way to their wide midfielder only for him to pull the shot wide. Other than the visitor’s goal just before half time, Lee Murby looked comfortable for most of the game.
Full-time whistle blows with Town running out 3-1 winners and making it four wins from four.
Reflecting upon the game, Assistant Manager Dan Bradbury had the following to say:
“Overall the boys did well today and got a good win. We knew it was going to be a tough game and Shrivenham certainly had one or two players capable of causing us some problems. We wanted to build upon our excellent start to the season and thankfully we were able to do that. Team spirit is good at the moment and with every win the team’s confidence is growing. Winning is a fantastic habit to get into and that’s 4 from 4 now. We are pragmatic enough to know that we have tougher games to come, however the lads are putting in some good performances and deserve to be top of the league. We look solid at the back and we’re being clinical in front of goal. We need to carry that on into next week’s cup game against Didcot Town. A good win today boys – well done.”
Final Score: Faringdon Town 3 – 1 Shrivenham Res
Man of the Match: Matty Pill – a captains performance today. Looked good on the ball as usual and led by example throughout the game. Drove the boys on to improve when needed and was also that calming influence after going 2-1 up. Well done Brain…
