Headstocks — Tue 20 Apr 2010

Match report

Half time: 2 – 0

Samba finally played Headstocks for the 1st time this season, with another home match at Burton Road. There were a number of changes to the side that drew with Trident, with Boughton, E.Taylor (for his first start of the season), Hawkins, C.Taylor and Archer all coming into the side. Gibbons, Francis, Gamba Dollochin and Brewer were all unavailable. In the absence of Gibbons and assistant R.Bassett, J.Wilford took up the managerial duties. In the opening spell the ball spent a lot of time in the air, as the game failed to settle and neither side put a passing move together worthy of the name. The game was competitive with Samba quick to get in challenges, their midfield size supplemented by a central midfield marking role for Boughton. It was Samba who got the breakthrough half-way through the half, and in keeping with the game it was a scrappy goal. G.Taylor received the ball from a throw in and did well to turn and hold off the attentions of the defender. His cross/shot (I think the former), looped over the keeper and just to make sure Boughton was there to head in. There was debate over who should be credited with the goal, with G.Taylor eventually appearing to lay the rightful claim (according to him anyway). The opening goal gave Samba the confidence to push on and in truth Headstocks had little in the way of clear cut chances. With the exception of a couple of over-hit crosses Samba were untroubled, though had to defend well under physical pressure. Samba made it 2-0 and if the first goal wasn't pretty, the 2nd displayed a variety of good attributes from the home side. Samba won three consecutive headers in their own half and the ball found its way from left to right. Archer attacked the full back before whipping in a fantastic cross for G.Taylor to rise, climb and bury the header past the helpless keeper from 8yds out. Samba went into half-time with a lead of two goals and knew that they would be kicking down the slope in the 2nd half.

Samba had to make a change at half-time with Boughton leaving the action for parental reasons. Hill was his replacement. Headstocks improved after the break and a lot of the play was contained in the midfield area as Samba worked tirelessly to protect their lead. They were given a helping hand when their big midfield man gave away a penalty, in what could only be described as clumsy at best! Misiuda was driving into the box and the ball was just far enough in front of him to entice the challenge. The Headstocks man swung his leg with full force and caught Misiuda and nothing of the ball. G.Taylor dispatched the penalty to the keepers left. Headstocks created some chances in the 2nd half. They hit the bar from a long range effort and Nicholls produced an exceptional save low to his left at the near post, which had the opponents applauding. Samba were defending well however and looked capable on the break. From a free kick Samba had another chance when the ball was only half headed clear. The ball fell to Bassett on the edge of the box who controlled on his chest and attempted a right foot volley from 20 yds. The effort was not particularly well hit and would not normally be worthy of a mention, but for a split second (at least until the right leg was swung), their seemed a remote possibility of a right foot screamer of the man goaless since October 2007! Back in the real world Samba did get a fourth and it was another excellent goal. Misiuda, a fierce critic of these match reports on matters such as spelling, grammar, interpretation, self-indulgence (see above para.) and generally incorrect facts, should like this one. He received the ball out wide and produced a peach of a cross, allowing Hill not even to need to break stride, before planting a literally inch perfect header back across the keeper for 4-0. It represented a good, gritty performance from Samba who hit 6th place, their highest position since mid-September.