Peacock Utd — Sat 20 Mar 2010

Match report

Half time: 0 – 1

Samba were looking to bounce back after cup disappointment with three points against The Peacock, to continue their recent mini-revival in the league. With Boughton unavailable but Rose back in contention, Gibbons opted for 3-5-2, with the manager himself taking up the second striking role with G.Taylor. The early period of the game was frantic but low on quality as neither side demonstrated sufficient quality on the ball to create goal-scoring opportunities. The Peacock mainly threatened down their right with a succession of crosses that were either over-hit or defended comfortably. One exception was a mis-hit effort which looped up and hit the cross-bar, allowing Hawkins to clear for a corner. Samba were frustrating, in that they would gain good territory only to lack the final pass that would open up a suspect Peacock defence. The best opportunity of the half fell to the normally prolific G.Taylor but on this occasion his shot was blasted over the bar as the keeper narrowed the angle. Samba were comfortable but were not playing well and despite causing problems from set-pieces couldn’t find a breakthrough. In the last 5 minutes of the half, Peacock raised the tempo and started to force Samba on the backfoot. They won a corner just on half-time and when the delivery was excellent to the near post, the home player lost his marker to direct a header into the opposite corner, across Nicholls who had no chance. It was a very good header, aided by the pace on the cross and Samba were behind at half-time.

Gibbons was not happy and this was reflected in his half-time team talk. The general consensus was that Samba had to up their quality on the ball if they were to achieve anything in this game. The wake up call had the desired effect with Samba attacking with more purpose from the start. Gibbons was having a real influence, whilst Misiuda, often misspelt, but never undersold, was a threat down the Samba right. The momentum was gathering and when G.Taylor laid the ball off for Brewer the script was written. Prior to the match, Brewer had asked Bassett for a headline, Bassett told Brewer to give him a headline, and so on receipt of the pass from G.Taylor, Brewer created a headline. He smashed the ball from 25ys with accuracy and pace, giving himself a 4th contender for goal of the season. Samba’s tails were up and the level of performance was unrecognisable from a limp first half. Wilford thread the ball through to G.Taylor who was clear of the last man, but just outside the penalty box was tripped. The referee awarded the free kick, cueing more abuse from Peacock players and management alike, an unfortunate and ugly theme of the afternoon. G.Taylor hit the free kick low and firm and the ball rebounded off the post, to the feet of Brewer who adjusted his feet to let the ball bounce off him and into the open net for 2-1. The quality of Brewer’s previous goals this season had led to rave reviews in these reports but just to be clear, this was one was lucky and there is no danger of it being classed as a 5th contender for goal of the a season. Shortly after taking the lead Gibbons replaced himself with Gamba who was given license to run at the Peacock defence up front. In wet conditions Samba competed brilliantly and although there was the odd scare, including Nicholls blocking well at the feet of the striker, Samba were rarely full stretched. The main threat from Peacock came from the deep lying no.12, but he was unable to break Samba down on his own and the Sandboys recorded a win that seemed possible but unlikely just 45mins previously.