Friday, March 21, 2008

Game 31: Laverstock & Ford 5.2 Calne Town (Wiltshire Senior Cup) 18.03.08

Andy, Ferg and I arrived at Bemerton’s Western Way ground dead on kick off for this Wiltshire Senior Cup game between Laverstock and Calne. Good job too as Calne took a second minute lead! The ball was crossed in from the right and met with a firm header past the Laverstock keeper.


The lead didn’t last long as Laverstock won an 11th minute penalty and sent the keeper the wrong way from the spotkick. The game went a bit flat after this early excitement and a couple of late tackles earnt yellow cards. In the 28th minute, Calne retook the lead when one of their players decided that the best way to beat an offside trap was to collect the ball in front of the defence and then run through the middle of them. The defenders didn’t expect this and they were left watching as he poked the ball past the keeper.


Laverstock equalised for the second time after 33 minutes with a shot from close range. The excitement was obviously getting to some of the players and a couple of minutes later an off the ball incident left Laverstock’s McGregor down on the ground. It all kicked off into a mass brawl and the referee and his assistants had to break up all the mini scuffles before deciding what action to take. Despite McGregor hobbling off and the violent scenes, no cards or a drop ball were given. Andy and I were bemused by the referee’s decision and the only thing we could think of was that he wasn’t certain of any of the offenders.


Laverstock took the lead for the first time after 47 minutes with a headed goal. Ferg and Andy were still in the bar and I had to play them a recording of the goal from my camera before either of them would believe that there had been a goal!

In the 55th minute McGregor took on and beat three players before smashing the ball in the top corner to give Laverstock a 4.2 lead. In the 87th minute Laverstock made it 5.2 from a great cross into the box. The ball was smashed towards goal and despite the Calne keeper pulling off a great save, he couldn’t react in time to stop the second shot from hitting the net.

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