Premier Division
Pegasus Juniors 1 Carterton Town 1
Saturday, 08 February 2003
Pegasus, after two home successive wins were given a stern examination by 2nd placed Carterton Town who were surprised by the transformation in the performance since their 5-1 victory earlier in the season. The Hereford side produced another quality performance with the players showing new found confidence and determination that was missing before the New Year. Goal scoring opportunities were always going to be at a premium as the pace setters had only conceded seventeen league goals so far this term.
Carterton Town were visibly surprised by the pressure applied by home side straight form the kick off; they who were unfortunate not to concede a goal as early as the sixth minute when Laurence Helme and Del Ewers combined for Helme to cross the ball to the far post but keeper Nick Heritage got finger tips to the ball with Neal Hotchkiss unmarked at the far post. As the result of a wasted free kick on the edge of the Carterton penalty box Pegasus were punished when Carterton countered quickly and were denied a goal scoring opportunity by Matt Taylor when he dived at the feet of Matt Threfall. After thirty five minutes Darren Preece gained possession in the centre circle his first time pass found Ewers in full flow on the right, the winger drew the keeper but instead of shooting at goal himself he passed the ball to Gavin Stone who crashed the ball into the net from twelve yards.
Half Time: 1-0
After the interval Pegasus continued to take the game to the opposition and with a little luck could have increased the lead when Peter Wallace combined with Stone who beat Hertiage with a shot from a narrow angle that trickled past the far post with Ewers unable to make the necessary deflection. The visitors continued to battle away and levelled the scores on the hour when Threfall beat Taylor with a well-taken goal. After the goal they raised their game to shows qualities that befits a team near the top of the table, yet for all the possession and neat approach play they were unable to seriously test Taylor with shots on target, such was the resolution shown by the home defence. In the final five minutes it was Pegasus who appeared the stronger and more likely to score the deciding goal, however, both management teams would on reflection consider a draw to be a fair result.
This was an excellent game played between two sides determined to take all three points for completely different reasons. The visiting management and supporters were clearly relieved to have survived the difficult game undefeated.
Pegasus manager Paul Mann said afterwards ?My players are despondent as they felt they should have taken all three points. This is a reflection of the progress they have made in the past weeks. We (Coach Chris Hyde and Mann) have worked the lads hard in training and they have responded magnificently but, there is still a long way to go before we achieve security.?
|
|