Wheatsheaf 5 - Lavant 1

What a bizzare Sunday morning - the pitch frozen and Lavant turning up the earliest ever known from a Sunday morning team. As the groundstaff were still readying the pitch Lavant decided a game of FA Cup doubles would be an appropriate warm up before the game.As The Sheaf players finally began to gather the manager of Lavant decided to bring in the team sheet, resulting in more than 1 comment that he appeared to still be under the influence from the night before. With the late withdrawal of Eddie Whiffin The Sheaf were relying on volunteers to go between the sticks. Birch stubbornly refused to help out "I have done my bit" he was heard to mutter on more than one occasion. As things became desperate Rich Sherwell stood up to be counted "I will do it - I will take one for the team". Relief - at last the manager could go about picking the team. Once the keeper situation was sorted the rest was easy - especially as the team was down to the bare bones!! Scott "Lord Lucan" Taylor picked a great time to make his re-appearance slotting straight back in at right back. With Rich in goal skipper Benny Whiffin was paired up front with Russ Chandler.You just knew it was gonna be one of those days - Lavant with the majority of players still pissed had nothing to lose and came out with that attitude. Lurch up front was putting himself about and kicking anything that moved. The centre backs taking a few whacks after clearing the ball. The game was a scrappy affair, The Sheaf struggling to impose their superiorority and not creating many clear chances. Indeed Lavant took the lead - amazingly Lurch the goalscorer - a poor clearance falling to him 25 yards out and a strike into the roof of the net past Sherwell. The Sheaf were struggling to string 2 passes together and the game became a midfield battle. Lurch finally went into the book after one late tackle too far. After his goal he for some reason thought he could play football and decided to shoot every time he got the ball - this certainly kept the ball boys busy but they should have claimed danger money having to climb upon down the trees behind the goal. Just before half time the equaliser came out of the blue - Scott Taylor rampagaging forward from right back bundling his way through a couple of challenges shifting the ball to his left foot and firing home. The Sheaf were not playing well but were back on terms . Half - Time 1-1 - The manager obviously not happy asked his players to step it up in the 2nd half and try to keep the ball more. Most players agreed that the performance was just not good enough.The 2nd half began with The Sheaf on top. Better possession but still not many clear chances. Perseverance finally told when a good flick from Chandler found Taylor again bursting forward and a good strike to the far post beat the keeper to put The Sheaf in front. They didn't have to wait long for the next goal as the referee awarded a penalty for a blatant hand ball. Sherwell the normal penalty taker sprinted from his goal to take it calmly dispatching into the bottom corner. Finally The Sheaf could relax. Russ Chandler looking threatening was unlucky to see 2 chances cleared off the line in quick succession.Goal number 4 came when Whiffin found himself in space in the penalty area slotting past the keeper for his 1st of the season. Number 5 saw a deserved goal for Chandler after a flowing move. 5-1 somewhat flattering The Sheaf but pleasing that the win was comfortable when not playing at their best.The Sheafs unbeaten run continued but can they pick up from where they left off in the New Year?? A big thanks goes to Rich Sherwell for going in goal and Steve Lewis for running the line !
Sherwell 7 (some good saves and was never gonna miss the peno)
Scott T 8 (got the team back in it with 2 good goals) MOM
Birch 7 (steady peformance)
Scott A 7.5 (stood up well to the battering ram)
Bill 7.5 (must have big pockets to get Lurch in there!)
Shacks 7.5 (couple of great crosses)
Lee 7 (worked hard as per usual)
Shane 7 (does he ever stop running?)
Gav 7 (cultured left foot)
Benny 7.5 (held the ball up well bringing others into play)
Russ 7.5 (works hard for the team - good finish for the goal)