Claygate Royals FC

Latest Match Report — 26/02/2012

 

Claygate Royals Swans v Send United Hawks – 26^th February 2012

Spring arrived in style for the Swans match against the Hawks, with the early morning frost quickly disappearing under the glorious warm sunshine and saw fleeces quickly swapped for sunglasses on the touchline!

After a month’s break from league action, the Swans earned a well-deserved 3-1 victory, courtesy of two goals from Freddie and one from Ruarai, which sets the team up nicely as they approach an exciting climax to their first season.

The team lined-up with Gus “call me Petr Cech “ in goal, Josh and Tom in defence, Luca and James in midfield and Harry and Finn up-front.

From the kick-off, the Swans were quickly on the front foot with their characteristic attacking approach. James, relishing the freedom of the midfield role, made some impressive early runs at the Hawks defence. Although the Swans enjoyed much of the early possession the Hawks defended well and posed a counter attacking threat, which Josh and Tom were equal to, with some efficient defending.

As the game settled down, the Swans passed the ball around well and looked comfortable in possession, typified by a neat back heal in defence from Josh to Tom, who sent a long pass forward to instigate another Swans attack.

Harry was full of running down the flank and shrugged off numerous challenges and Finn with quick footwork skipped past the tackles. Despite the dominance in possession for the Swans though, there were few clear-cut chances on goal as the final telling ball eluded the boys.

Gus found he was a virtual spectator in the first half as the Hawks attacks were broken up with Luca and teammates working well together to wrestle back possession. Whilst the action was mainly in the Hawks half and midfield, a Hawks attack towards the end of the first half saw a ball flash dangerously across the penalty box but thankfully out of harms way!

The second half saw Harry, Tom and Finn make way for, Freddie, Liam and Ruarai. After a first half with few shots on goal, the second half burst into life quickly as James had an early shot go just wide. Urged on by the home support, the Swans pressed forward and Ruarai posed a threat with his penetrating runs.

The breakthrough arrived 5 mins into the half with a quickly worked move when Gus’ long clearance found Freddie who showed good composure to take the ball forward and with an accurate pass across the box found Ruarai running in, who slotted home to keep up his fine run of goals. The celebrations were however shorted lived as almost immediately from the kick-off, the Hawks attacked and a well-placed pass found a player on the edge of the box who shot into the corner to level the scores.

The pace of the match intensified and the game opened up. The Swans showing great character and desire were soon moving forward with Liam working hard on the left flank and James making some excellent runs on the right flank. The Hawks continued to offer a threat on the counter attack and both Josh and James were called to make fine interceptions with outstretched tackles.

The deadlock was broken after more sustained pressure, Ruarai had a long range shot go just wide, which was quickly followed by James taking a free kick, which was blocked, but the loose ball fell to Freddie who scored a good poachers goal. At 2-1 though the Hawks looked to strike back and Tom, back on the pitch, used his defensive strength well to breakdown threatening Hawks moves. From one of these tackles a nervous moment when a free kick was given just outside of the Swans box; the resulting free kick was well struck and flew towards the top of the goal but Gus was equal to it and made an outstanding save.

More Swans attacking pressure was rewarded shortly afterwards with a third goal, when Finn had a long range shot parried into the path of Freddie, who reacted quickly to score and put the game beyond doubt and settle the nerves of the home fans!

Final score: 3-1 

Fixtures

 

Date	Opponent	Location	Kickoff
4th Mar	Walton Casuals Wild Dogs	Away	TBA
TBA	Molesey Juniors Kestrels	Away	TBA

Results

 

Date	Opponent	Location	Result
25th September	Farncombe Youth Rockets	Farncombe	W 3-2
2nd October	Farnham United Unicorns	Farnham	W 4-0
9th October	Knaphill Catalans	Woking	L 0-1
16th October (CUP match)	Farnham United Tigers	Farnham	W 2-1
23rd October	Molesey Juniors Kestrels	Chessington	W 4-0
30th October (CUP match)	Abbey Rangers Diamonds	Addlestone	W 2-1 on Penalties
6th November	Send United Hawks	Send	D 1-1
13th November	Walton Casual Wild Dogs	Long Ditton	W 2-1
20th November	Farnham United Unicorns	Chessington	W 3-0
27th November	Woking Cougars Youths	Other side Woking	W 9-0
4th December	Woking Cougars Youths	Chessington	W 6-0
11th December	Abbey Rangers Eagles	Addlestone	W 3-0
18th December	Worplesden Rangers Spartans	Chessington	L 2-3
8th January	Worplesden Rangers Spartans	Woking	D 2-2
22nd January	Abbey Ranger Eagles	Long Ditton	W 6-0
29th January	Knaphill Catalans	Chessington	D 1-1
19th Feb (CUP 1/4 Final)	GPR Spartans	Chessington	L 1-2
26th Feb	Send United Hawks	Long Ditton	W 3-1