King Edwards VII College 3 - Guthlaxton College 2

Team:	1XI Football
Competition:	County Cup 1st round
Date:	14th October
Result:	Lost 3-2

Man of the Match: Tom Orton

The draw for the county cup brought a tough away fixture at King Edwards VII College Melton. With the loss of Captain Tom Dowsing a few changes to the starting line up. The experience of Sam Shiels returned to the centre of the park, whilst Karl King made his first start for the school alongside Nathan Higgs. Joe Dowsing skippered the team from the back as one of three with Adam Hohn and Arran Murray.

Melton caused Guthlaxton problems early by moving the ball well around and offering great width, especially down their right. Guthlaxton struggled to get to grip with their formation and with the wind against it was difficult to get out of their own half. Suddenly a speculative shot smashed against the bar and fell straight to the centre forward to tap in. Guthlaxton responded well and tried to push forward but still found to difficult to set the tempo of the game. With ten minutes left in the half Melton were awarded a corner. The delivery was good but to close to the keeper, Jack Ridley came to collect and was smashed to the floor by an incoming attacker. GBH was how one supporter described it, but not the ref who allowed play to go only for Nathan Higgs to smash home into his own net; he was unfortunate really as the ball hit him more than him hitting the ball. 2-0 and along way back from here.

At half time Baldwin brought on Murphy to nullify the threat from the right. This had an immediate effect as Guthlaxton continued to press forward and create more chances. A corner, whipped in by Tom Orton was headed home by Sam Shiels at the back stick and the game was back on. Gutho continued to press but the goal would not come. Karl Bailey had a great opportunity and then Callum Earls had a shot well saved from his very first touch.

As Gutho pressed they were then hit by a sucker punch as Melton scored a freak goal to make it 3-1 with 25 mins remaining. From then on it was one way traffic; Guthlaxton pushed and pushed but the final chances would not come. Baldwin changed the formation and put three up top, long throws from Hohn would always fall to a defenders t it just seemed like it was not Guthlaxton's day. In the dying moments Higgs had a good opportunity to take the game to extra time but he just pulled his shot wide as the last ditch tackle came in.

Final score 3-2 defeat and a sad day at the office. The chances had come but it was not to be. Many positives must be taken from the game, the players are beginning to bond together better, and they are fighting for each other. The play is beginning to develop and players are becoming more relaxed. This is not the end for this team; it is just a rocky beginning.

Published on Tuesday 14th October 2008 at 09:00