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Desford United
Ref: Phil StaceyFosse City
Barnett (4)
Dunmore
O.G
Fosse team: Parmer, J. Farley, Reece, Jones, S. Cobley, C. Carter, Dunmore, Morgan, Knight, Barnett, Goddard – Subs: Bayliss, R. Farley, Creedon
Fosse arrived in Desford following a 2 week break from games and benefitting from an extra hours sleep the night before. A strong wind made it clear that they were going to have to battle for the 90 minutes if they were to come away with anything from the game.
3 changes from the victory at Superfly saw the return of Parmer, Reece and Morgan to the starting 11. Parmer keeping everyone on their toes, turning up 7 seconds before kick off to don the coveted gloves of Barnett.
Carter inevitably lost the toss, but was let off as the Desford skipper chose to swap ends and play with the wind in the first half, Carter having wanted to have gone against the wind initially.
Fosse found it tough going at first, the wind meaning that goal kicks were not able to make it to the half way line and any ball played in the air struggling to find its target. Being able to adapt to these types of conditions are going to vital if Fosse are going to have a successful season, and they did just that. Getting the ball on the floor enabled the likes of Morgan and Dunmore to pass and move and get attacks flowing.
One such move created some space for Knight on the left wing and a lovely left footed cross into the box was met by a diving header from Barnett to make it 1-0. Barnett keeping his fine goalscoring form going.
After finding it tough inititally Fosse were now finding their feet and shortly after the first followed a second. A corner from the right was initially cleared. However, Morgan picked up the loose ball and a fine ball to the back post found the head of Goddard, who having broken the offside trap headed back across goal where Dunmore nodded the ball home.
Fosse continued to exert the pressure playing some lovely free flowing football and made it 3-0 before the break. Good work by Goddard on the right saw the ball pulled back to Barnett in the box for the striker to net his second with a calm finish.
Half time arrived and Fosse were good value for their lead, being especially pleased at keeping a clean sheet against a very strong wind.
Manager Hillsdon rallied the troops with some inspired motivational speaking during the break and Fosse certainly heeded his words, starting the second half poorly.
They did resist the Desford attacks however and made it 4-0. An inswinging corner from the left taken by Cobley was missed by the head of Carter, only for a Desford defender to take pity on the Fosse skipper and slot the ball passed his own keeper.
Desford had certainly improved in the second half, finding some space in the midfield and quite often having the Fosse defence on the back foot. They got a reward for their persistence when a diagonal ball into the box was held up by the wind and a neat volley from the Desford striker found the top corner.
Having realised that they needed to improve Fosse stepped up the gas a little and when Barnett found himself in the box, he stepped passed a defender only for the keeper to come rushing out and send Fosse’s top scorer flying. A penalty was awarded by the referee and usual penalty taker Bayliss, having arrived onto the pitch as a second half substitute, allowed Barnett to take it and complete his hat trick.
Desford did not let themselves be downhearted by this and continued to look for a second goal, which arrived shortly after. The Fosse back 4 and linesman thought they had played the striker offside well, only for the referee to disagree and play on, allowing the Desford player to round Parmer and slot the ball home. Clearly angered by this decision, the Desford captain argued the point with the referee and found himself in the book shortly after.
The game was nearing an end and the result was settled at this stage. There was still time however for a Barnett 4th. Bayliss created himself some space on the left and a good ball into the box was prodded home by Barnett.
There should have been a 7th for Fosse when Cobley vacated his left back berth to go on a forward run. Bayliss finding him in the box with a good pass, only for Cobley to hit his effort too close to the keeper in a Matty Fryatt fashion.
A solid display overall by Fosse in testing conditions saw their recent run of fine form continue. The day only got better when the Red Lion pub put on a fine banquet of sausages, chips and beans free of charge for both sides. Happy days.
