Division One
Langford 2 Pitstone & Ivinghoe 0
Saturday, 30 August 2003
With the Reds confidence high after the midweek victory at Brache Sparta and three games unbeaten there was no better time than to take on the current champions Pitstone & Ivinghoe who are struggling to regain last seasons form.
With Simon Catmur being recalled for Barton Rovers F.A. Cup tie and Leroy Odd and Barry Morris being unavailable it was a changed line up that saw Marc Holmes return to the front line and Robert Groves in his customary wide left role. The Reds reverted to a 4.4.2 formation.
It was a warm and sunny Forde Park that saw a first half start brightly for the home side. Marc Holmes had his early strike ruled out for an offside flag. The game never quite hit the heights as both battled for superiority In the midfield Julian Bennett and Bradley Ritson worked tirelessly against the enthusiastic visitors Churchill and Watson and the defence were playing with confidence against the eager running of Henney and Mountford. Chances were few and far between Robert Groves failing to convert a chance set up by Holmes and Starling and Stillwell?s run from the half way line that ended with him shooting just wide the best Reds efforts of the opening half hour. Pitstone?s best chance came after twenty minutes when Mountford was denied by. Uylatt who was to have another solid game between the sticks deflecting his over shot for a corner. Groves had a good shot saved by Adlem after he had been released into the area by a Holmes pass. All square at the break but by the end of the half Langford were showing signs of gaining the upper hand.
It was Pitstone that were off the starting blocks first in the second half and were denied taking the lead when Nick Stillwell cleared off the line after a free kick and Sutton repeated the clearance as the ball came back in. The visitors took the game to the home side in the first ten minutes and it was against the run of play when the Pitstone defence let a long goal kick bounce just outside their area and quick work by STEVE STARLING to hold off the defender and fire home gave the Reds the lead. Langford kept up the pressure and Adlem became a very busy man in the Pitstone goal dealing well with a series of corners and free kicks. Just after the hour the Reds doubled their advantage. A free kick on Langford?s left from Robert Groves found Steve Starling, whose clever flick was finished off at the far post by MARC HOLMES. It was then the certain Pitstone players heads started to drop and that maybe the problem for the Champions poor start to the campaign. The visitors pushed up, but that only gave the rampant forwards more space to exploit. The final score could well have been doubled as Starling, Harman, Goldsmith and Groves twice had good chances add to the score line but were denied by delaying their shot and some good goal keeping by Adlem.
The Reds defence held firm against the increasing numbers pushing forward and Uylatt denied Mountford with a good low save to the keeper?s right. The afternoon ended with the sun shining, the Langford flag flying proudly, the Champions had just been beaten 2-0 and I won the raffle! Not a bad day all round.
No midweek action for the Reds next week. Next Saturday will see Challenge Trophy action with an away game against Caddington kick off 3.00pm.
Langford;
Uylatt; Stillwell; Sutton; Chamberlain; Wilso; Bennett; Ritson; Groves; Starling; Holmes; Goldsmith
SUBS USED; Rogers for Wilson (60); L.Harman for Marc Holmes (83)
SUBS NOT USED; Roy Ryall.
Pitstone & Ivinghoe;
Adlem; Fox; D.Ripley; Head; Watson; Churchill; Myatt; Roberts; Henney; Mountford; Robin.
SUBS USED; Henley for Myatt (53),
SUBS NOT USED; Wright
GOALS
Langford; Steve Starling (54), Holmes (61)
Pitstone & Ivinghoe; none
Bookings & Sending off;
Langford; none
Pitstone & Ivinghoe; none
Referee; Mr. P.Hern (Sarratt) |
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