Division One
Kentish Town 3 Cranfield United 1
Saturday, 13 January 2007
Town made their third excursion of the campaign to the league's most northerly outpost having switched this home fixture from Claremont Road due to further difficulties with the groundshare agreement. With a 3-0 league victory and a 4-1 win in the division 1 cup already under their belts confidence was high that a hat trick of wins could be comfortably secured against the division's bottom side.
Town started like a house on fire stringing numerous passing movements together in blustery conditions on an excellent playing surface, Thomas Looney was making some probing runs down the right however the strong wind made it extremely difficult to judge crosses accurately.
On the 11 minute mark and very much against the run of play Cranfield took a surprise lead when a rasping 25 yard shot from Damien McGlue deceived Town’s keeper Paul Williamson who was making his full debut for the Club.
Town were visibly taken aback by this sucker punch however rolled up their sleeves and Lee Scott went on a trademark run into the box only to be well tackled just as he was about to pull the trigger. Town were then awarded a free kick for a bad tackle on Shaka Cole and Scott bundled the ball into the net following a flick on by Aaron Hutchins however the goal was disallowed for a questionable infringement. Town then proceeded to score immediately after that disappointment when Scott danced into the area to put the ball past the stranded keeper on 25 minutes.
Town frustratingly had another goal chalked off by Referee Mr Hazel for offside when Dave Dawson netted with a shot that went in off a post. Town continued to press however Cranfield’s dogged and admirable tackling in midfield and in defence kept the likes of Scott, Dawson and Looney at bay. Town went close shortly before the interval when firstly Cole and then Dawson had bites at the cherry in the six yard box only to be thwarted by defenders.
The second period began in a cat and mouse fashion, Town were enjoying the lions share of the play but were not really creating any clear cut opportunities with the wind blowing across the pitch and Cranfield continuing to frustrate, young full back Roberto Quattromini made a superb solo run into the box and his shot was just blocked virtually on the goal line.
On 73 minutes Town finally took the lead when Scott created space for himself and ran on to beat the keeper comfortably from just inside the area. The goal helped to settle Town down and allow them to revert back to their fluent style of play that had eluded them for long periods of the second half.
Terry O’Leary and Chris Zanre then entered the fray to replace Daryl Malcolm and Cole and the fresh legs helped Town’s cause with Scott almost completing his hat trick with the clock ticking down. Right on the final whistle Town were awarded a penalty when Scott was brought down in the box and despite Hutchins grabbing the ball in determined fashion it was Scott himself who stepped up to the mark to complete his superb hat trick with a clinical shot low to the keepers left.
Town Team: Williamson, D Quattromini, R Quattromini, Kanaris, Hutchins, Cole, Young, Malcolm, Scott, Dawson, Looney. Subs: Zanre, O'Leary
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