Match Report 06-12-14 Causeway Utd (1)V Continental Star (3)

Continental Star went into today’s game on the back of a run of games that brought several defeats & a couple of draws. The management team had been busy during the week securing the signatures of 4 new players who were brought straight into the squad bolstering it, as for weeks it had been depleated with injuries, illness, work committments & family affairs. This had threatened to derail what had started to look like a promising season.

After speaking with several players over the course of the week to get an understanding of their thoughts the one thing that came out was that everyone needed to take responsibility for their own actions which brought about the change in todays formation.

Stars got off to a strong start & there seemed to be a work ethic & spirit that had been missing for several weeks. The players were still encouraged to play the brand of football that had brought many plaudits from watching spectators home & away.

A ball played forward from O’garro in midfield was chased by Johnson who was beaten to the ball by the advancing keeper on the edge of his 18yrd line, but his attempted clearance under the pressure of Johnson only diverted the ball into the path of Reid who swept the ball home first time from some 25yrds into the ungaurded goal.

This gave Stars the impetus & they took control of the game with Wilson & Simpson looking solid along with the two willing fullbacks Powell & Jabbi, O’garro & Lewis controlled the midfield territory winnings 1st & 2nd balls getting star on the front foot with their passing accuracy into path of two wide men in Chisanga & Green who had the measure of the Causeway fullbacks.

After 17mins this domination brought a 2nd goal when the willing Johnson was picked out on the break from a Causeway attack he had 3 running Stars players all crying for the pass to be in on goal has the Causeway defence were left stranded in the pace of the break eventually the ball fell to Lewis on the run who’s control & left footed drive flashed into the roof of the net over the advancing keeper.

Stars again pressing for more were nearly caught out after a smart Causeway attack but the Incoming Chesire in the stars goal turned over a thunderous left footed drive from just 12yrds out keeping the score at 2-0

A rare Causeway attack brought them a corner & from this Stars were caught napping with a Causeway player burying a free header on the near post area. This however did not deter Stars who were vocally encouraged by their management team of Smith & Sylvester.

In the second half Causeway came out with a new determination, and began to ask a few questions but Stars stayed solid & resolute with Reid & Johnson keeping the home defence busy with their craft & gile accompanied by the willing Green & Chisanga.
O’garro & Lewis continued to produce, & a solid looking back five looked comfortable with Chesire showing a safe pair of hands.

After 65mins Chisanga who had run himself into ground was replaced by Elwell who added a new problem for Causeway with his touches & work ethic chances were presented to Reid & Johnson who when well placed failed to shoot. Reid was eventually replaced & Thompson returned to action some 6 weeks since with a groin injury, Elwell went up front with Johnson and this brought about a 3rd goal as the ball presented itself yo Johnson at the far post who controlled & rammed the ball home into the roof of the net making a 3-1 scoreline richly deserved on the balance of play.

Green was replaced after 80mins with Murrain making his Stars debut. Two more great opportunities presented themselves to Stars as Elwell sent the on rushing Thompson through on goal with Johnson screaming for a pass Thompson’s shot was well saved by the Causeway keeper. O’garro then picked out Elwell with the pass of the match, he’s control on the chest sent him clear with the on rushing keeper Elwell choose a sublime lobbed finish but the ball dropped 2yrds wide of the goal much to his disappointment & for those watching as this would have been the icing on the cake for Stars as their performance today was of a very High Standard much to the delight of Manager Smith & his staff.

Report from the dugout: manager, Smudger.