Cambridge City 1 - Halesowen 1

Zamaretto League Premier Division
Saturday 6th Match 2010

 

Halesowen came to Milton Road boasting a free-scoring forward in Stefan Moore and 21 game unbeaten streak. But from the way they shaped up and the resolute nature of the City defence meant that it was the Lilywhites who looked the more potent force from the outset.

 

City lined up with Ramon Caliste and Jamie Barker in attack, Pat Bexfield playing at right back due to an injury to Laure Stewart. Right from the kick off the Lilywhites took control of the match, so it was no surprise when they took the lead on four minutes with a well worked goal. Captian Cambridge played a free kick into the box from the right, Jamie Barker flicked it on to Caliste who did well to control the ball in the area before slipping it back to John Kennedy who finished with an excellent side-footed strike that left Nick Bussey grasping fresh air.

 

The Lilywhites poured forward and were perhaps unfortunate to not to add to their score. Dave Theobald headed over on 9, Caliste had his shot pushed away a minute after and the same man narrowly failed to connect with an overhead kick shortly after that.

 

Meanwhile, Messers Bexfield, Karuase, Theobald and Chaffey were keeping Moore et al quiet, restricting the visitors to a scuffed shot from David McDermott and a better chance on 21 when Moore pulled the ball back to Danny Edwards who shot wastefully into the side netting.

 

Opportunities came and went for City, the final ball never being quite good enough to supply the necessary bullets for Caliste and Barker but at a goal to the good at half time the home team could be pleased with their work.

 

Early chances in the second half suggested the game was City’s, first when direct from the kick off, Caliste released Barker who in turn slid the ball to Fuller on the edge of the box. A decent effort would have worked Bussey – but Fuller blasted way high in the direction of Chesterton Community College.

 

But what happened next was inexplicable. Moore found himself with his back to goal, attended closely by Burke. Moore appeared to be a couple of feet away from Burke when he stumbled – but no immediate whistle from the mercurial referee Sean Feerick. But when Halesowen lost possession, he ruled that a foul had been committed and awarded a free kick on the edge of the box.

 

Scott Rickards stepped up and sent in a curling shot that took a wicked deflection off Lee Chaffey and past Barrett. 

Soon afterwards, Kennedy mistimed his tackle and was awarded a straight red card. Down to ten men and rattled, City were in danger of throwing it all away in the last half hour. A goal line clearance and the crossbar saved the Lilywhites in a period when a Yeltz goal would have finished the tie.

 

But with great credit, City settled and regrouped and started to create their own chances. Barker shot over, Theobald had a header tipped on to the bar and substitute Mark Coulson’s dipping free kick went inches wide.

Under the circumstances of playing a third of the game with ten men, City did well to hang on for the draw. But this was a game that the Yeltz will reflect on as an opportunity lost.