SWRFC - Match Reports

Januray 24th 2009

West Yorkshire Premier League First Team 1 - 1 Beeston St Anthony's

Sherburn continued their recent unbeaten run with a very respectable draw away at League title hopefuls Beeston St Anthony's. Sherburn missing a number of recognised regular players at this level setup to play a tactical game which best suited the team available.

The game started as expected with the home team taking the upper hand and dominating possession but were unable to break down Sherburn's team shape and were limited to very few clear cut chances. Sherburn took their opportunity to counter attack where possible to but were unable to threaten the Beeston goal.

In open play and with Sherburn employing their tactics to the letter and doing it very well Beeston were unable to break down or get in behind a solid defence. Beeston's only chance of scoring came from set plays. Sherburn dealt with them well except one in which Beeston took the lead. Sherburn did have chances on the Beeston goal towards the end of the first half but failed to trouble the GK enough.

The second half played out a similar pattern to the first with Sherburn strong and disciplined out of possession but playing quick and fluent football on the break. One of these breaks lead to Adam Preistley scoring the equaliser with the aid of a deflection from 20 yards. Beeston became more frustrated unable to break down the defensive lines of Sherburn and when they did only for the linesman flag to intervene.

Another counter attack nearly won the game for Sherburn; Lee Gemmell broke down the right crossed to set up left footer S Williams only for his effort to go just wide.

It goes to show that the coaching and development of all players at the club is important and is working that players who are now in the first team starting 11 from the subs bench and second team can go and perform to get a result at one of the most successful teams at West Yorkshire Premier Level.

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West Yorkshire Alliance Division 1 Reserves 0 - 3 Rothwell Athletic

A much changed reserves team attempted to maintain their recent good form against a Rothwell side with a completely different playing style to the previous league encounter. With Rothwell's first team not having a game they brought a large contingent of support and tried to dictate play from the outset. It became apparent very quickly how Rothwell intended to stop Sherburn's young side playing football; forward Daniel Withington was brought down from a heavy challenge in the opening minutes, as was Horsfield in the centre of the park.

Rothwell scored early on, attacking and crossing from the left wing, but Bradley was beaten to the ball by a forward to tap in at the back post. Ten minutes later and Potter was carried off the pitch following a sliding tackle through his knee on the edge of the box, Haddock unfortunate to see his free kick go the wrong side of the post. Heads were down at half time due to the lack of protection from the referee and Sherburn came out in the second half determined to work harder to close down their opposition. Another attack down Sherburn's left wing though resulted in a goal when a Rothwell forward went over the ball to win a challenge on the full back before squaring for a finish. Minutes later and Daniel Withington was sent through on goal and pulled back by the Rothwell centre half, the challenge went unpunished by the referee and Withington could only tap the ball passed the rushing keeper before being sent sprawling by a dangerous challenge on the edge of the box. Play was paused whilst an ambulance was called for and the young forward was eventually stretchered off in obvious pain. It was later announced that Daniel broke two bones in his leg. The goalkeeper was sent off and Sherburn had no other substitutes so play resumed after twenty minutes with both teams down to ten, Beaston almost scoring directly from the freekick.

Sherburn continued to push to get something out of the game, but when Parnaby handled on the edge of the box the referee first gave a freekick, but changed his mind after a few minutes under pressure from the away supporters and presented Rothwell with a penalty instead. Ultimately the scoreline and break in Sherburn's form was irrelevant, all thoughts and wishes were with Withington who was kept overnight at hospital for surgery and questions asked as to how it was allowed to happen.

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Selby and District Invitation Division 2 Third Team 5 - 0 Garforth WMC

Report to follow...

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