DATE 5th Mar 06

OPPOSITION S.B.J Rovers

GROUND Home

VESEY PEASEY AS ARGO’S STEAL IT

The Argonauts Reserves 2 (0) – 1 (1) SBJ Rovers

Handoll, R;

Vesey.

 

Argo’s Matchday Squad

1.         T Hussan

2.         M Purnell

3.         S Handoll

4.         K Bromley (cc)

5.         P White

6.         M Scott

7.         I Clark

8.         M Fitzpatrick

9.         R Handoll

10.       J Vesey

11.       R Holbrook

 

Prolific part-time goalscorer John Vesey clinched victory for The Argonaut’s Reserves in a barnstorming second-half performance as the home side came from a goal behind to win 2-1.

 

Strike partner Rob Handoll grabbed the all important equaliser in the comeback, as SBJ Rovers were deservedly beaten.

 

Able to name a virtually unchanged starting eleven, The Argo’s impressed in all departments and perhaps should have won by a wider margin, and probably would have done had they been slightly more clinical in front of goal.

 

A dreadful defensive mistake left The Argo’s trailing at the interval.  A lack of communication between skipper Bromley and new goalkeeper Hussan contrived to hand SBJ an easy chance from six yards, which was gratefully accepted.

 

However, it was The Argo’s who dominated for large periods of the first half and had the green and yellows not surrendered possession quite so easily in the final third they could have been level or even in front after the first 45 minutes.

 

Midfielder Mike Fitzpatrick was guilty of missing The Argo’s best chance of the first period, heading over unchallenged from six yards after impressive link play from Vesey and a delightful cut-back from right winger Ian Clark.

 

Mercurial left winger Ross Holbrook hammered one chance high from 25 yards, then played an intelligent reverse pass to leave striker Handoll clean through only for the SBJ ‘keeper to turn the resulting shot wide with his legs.

 

An impressive cross-field ball from Holbrook presented Vesey with another Argo’s opportunity, but the diminutive forward attempted to head home some 12 yards from goal rather than use the time available to bring the ball down.

 

The Argo’s defence was coping remarkably easily with the SBJ attack limiting the away side to infrequent sightings of goal.  Goalkeeper Hussan was energetic and entertaining to watch, full-backs Purnell and Handoll were solid if unspectacular, Bromley recovered from his early faux pas to lead by example on his 50^th Argonaut’s appearance and Paul White used his lightning pace and composure on the ball to compensate for his lack of physical presence against the towering SBJ forwards.

 

With The Argo’s creating some decent openings and their defence repelling SBJ at will it was somewhat disappointing to be a goal down at the interval.

 

HALF TIME 0-1

 

Fortune favours the brave and The Argo’s continued to pile forward in the second half searching for an equaliser and hopefully more to boot.  The home side discovered that slice of luck and turned the scoreline around to reflect their control of proceedings.

 

The midfield duo of player/manager Scott and the tireless Fitzpatrick continued to prompt those around them.  Tackling feverishly, passing crisply and covering every blade of grass in an effort to inspire The Argo’s to parity.  And equalise the green and yellows did, striker Handoll rounding the SBJ ‘keeper and in doing so inadvertently rolling the ball home for his third of the season taking him to the top of The Argo’s Reserves goalscoring charts.  A reward richly deserved by The Argo’s performance.

 

A second goal should have followed swiftly after.  Vesey’s lack of awareness sometimes allowing him to be caught offside when in threatening positions.  When Vesey did break the offside trap his finishing let him down as blazed over from 12 yards after neat interplay from Holbrook and Fitzpatrick.

 

Vesey atoned for his previous errors with a fine finish for the important second goal as he also rounded the SBJ goalkeeper slotting home coolly with his left boot.

 

There was still time for an Argo’s wobble, a succession of SBJ corners eventually leading to a smart save palmed round the post from Hussan as an SBJ player drove goalwards from 18 yards.

 

The Argo’s almost extended their lead from a miss-hit Holbrook corner which inexplicably rolled the length of six-yard box before an Argonaut fired low and hard, again the SBJ ‘keeper deflecting the ball to safety with his feet.

 

With players tiring from both sides the game petered out and no further tangible goalmouth activity occurred.

 

FULL TIME 2-1

 

An impressive performance by The Argo’s should have garnered a more comfortable victory against lacklustre opponents. 

 

Special thanks to Stu Gardiner for refereeing without whom there would have there would have been no match.

Player Ratings

T Hussan – 7 – Mix up for SBJ goal, but confident if a little excitable thereafter.

 

M Purnell – 6 – Coped well with the tricky left winger.  Susceptible to the high-ball.

 

S Handoll – 7 – Quietly efficient.  Defends admirably given lack of protection from Holbrook.

 

K Bromley – 7 – Recovered well from early howler to lead by example as always.

 

P White – 8 – STAR MAN – Belied his physical disadvantage to assert control over the powerful SBJ strikeforce.  Impressive coming forward with ball.

 

M Scott – 7 – Anchors midfield perfectly allowing others to get forward.

 

M Fitzpatrick – 8 – Driving performance from the midfielder.  Contributed hugely to this victory.

 

I Clark – 6 – Quiet game due to lack of service.  Provided intelligent passing and crossing when involved.

 

R Holbrook – 6 – A luxury player that can sometimes be ill-afforded.  However, does create chances even if he offers nothing defensively.

 

R Handoll – 7 – Battling performance, deserved the goal.  Took up good positions.

 

J Vesey - 8 - Very quick over the ground, very quick feet with the ball. Always a danger.