north west kitchens (cup) - 1/2/2009
Back to the Fortress after being brought back down to earth last week at Stanley Park, and this time the 2nd round of the cup against North West Kitchens who themselves had only lost 3 times all season.
Excelsior were without the services of Ben Hopes (injured),
ever present Sean (injured), Hunty (broken ankle),Lizzy(??), George (MIA),John Evans(London), Andy Mac (injured/giving birth) so a patched up Excelsior took to the field with 13 players, unheard of this season. We lined up Ross back in the sticks, Dezzy slotting back in at
Right back , Per and Nico in the middle, Neil on the left. New look midfield with Carey starting on the left, Smudger on the right and Fiss and Truby in the middle. Mercer partnering Woz up front. Due to poor timekeeping Greeny
kept the bench warm.
A good chance for some to show what they can do, and for those who took part in last weeks holocaust a chance to make amends. Gaffer didn't need to say much beforehand, the players knew what they had to do. Excelsior opted for the "not washed look" off white strip that looked like it had been dragged through the puddles at Stanley Park last week and kicked off kicking towards the "warm up" end of Fortress Squires Gate.
Excelsior set off out the blocks well and it wasn't long before it was 1-0, 3 minutes in fact. Woz was set free down the right and pulled back expertly to Mercer in the middle who picked out sick note Carey 8 yards out to smash home. Excelsior's football was crisp and neat and chances were coming and were starting to look like the Excelsior of 3 months ago. Godd creative play from the midfield were giving the strikers chances and it was only a matter of time before Woz made it 2. Quick throw from Fiss on the half way line turned into Woz being put clear by Carey and the rest was inevitable. NWK seemed a bit overawed by the big pitch and surroundings and couldn't cope. Number 3 came courtesy of Fiss, a deep corner from Truby found it's way to the back post to the "worst header in the team, Mercer" who headed back from the bye line for Fiss to head into a virtual empty net, 3-0, Game over?
NWK came out in Half 2 with more purpose and showed more signs of life which the defence were more than equal to. It was a familiar story for Excelsior though at The Fortress a grat first half followed by a sluggish second. NWK grabbed a goal from a free kick on their left that was glanced in by the striker. Another goal would have made it a twitchy last 15 for the Gaffer and it nearly came straight away, their right mid lobbed Ross and the ball was dropping in only for "Eddie" to head the ball clear from right under the bar, a fantastic clearance if he played for us.
Greeny came on to replace fall guy Daz and Downing came on to replace Carey who got a good 65 under his belt on his way back to fitness. A lot of huffing and puffing followed from both teams before Truby finished the game off with a great solo goal, cutting in from the left past 2 defenders he then smashed the ball in from inside the box almost taking the keepers head with it, the finish superb, celebration equally superb (Fiss he put yours to shame!).
There was still time for Greeny to give away a 'stonewall penalty', collect a booking, and then watch them hit row Z with the resulting penalty at the warm up end.
Full Time: Excelsior 4 - NWK 1
Ross had a good comeback game between the sticks although not tested a great deal, Per was immense in the air again and the defence had a good game. Truby and Fiss were industrious and in the first half creative, Smudge suffered from a lack of service, Carey saw more of the ball on the other side and got his goal, hopefully getting back to the Carey of old. Woz also showed he is getting back to his best with some great runs in the channels and a well taken goal.
Moments of the match:
- "Split personality" Truby turning on Smudge
- THE miss of the season from 0.5 yards
- The merciless piss taking of the above culprit
- The crunching tackle that earnt Truby his yellow, glad i wasn't on the end of that.
Man of the match
Truby, all action performance, great addition to the squad.
No ratings...yet from me, if we still want to do it (and people dont take offence) then I'll join in.
Well played, next round away at Mythop Leisure, next week back to league duties. One last mention to Andy Mac who's Mrs Lisa gave birth to Baby Jack tonight, congrats from all the team to you both.
Pictures from today here courtesy of Fyldesport:
http://www.fyldesport.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&...
Ratings
Well I've never been scared of offending the odd player or two with ratings so here's mine.
Rosco - 7 - Played well when required and his handling was second to none. Only down side was some poor kicking.
Dezzy - 7 - Did well after a long spell out. Wasn't really tested as a defender but did keep the ball on the deck.
Nico - 7 - Did what he had to and kept NWK at bay. Not his best performance but did enough
Perky - 8 - Won everything in the air and put his foot through every ball/player.
Neil - 7 - Much better from Neil. Got forward and did his best keeping the winger quiet. We need to work on the 1-2 from throwins
Smudge - 7 - Played well, kept possesion well and held up play. Great vision for Truby's goal.
Truby - 9 - What a game, what a nutter!! Class goal, nice and aggressive when defening and always gave support. Talked well in the middle of the park. Not happy with his flip out at smudge but the cruncher he gave that lad won me over.
Carey - 7 - Well taken goal and got stuck in. Passed the ball well and worked hard for 65 mins
Mercer - 8 - Best game of his season so far. Movement between NWK back line was perfect and what we've been missing. Should have been on the score sheet but with 2 assists who cares.
Wozman - 7 - Showed more of the old Wozman. Running at players and hanging around the danger area's. Scared to pull the trigger for some reason. Made up that he scored a well taken goal and contributed well.
Greenday - Tighten up our back line in the last few minutes, no excuse for being late.
MOM - Truby - None stop all game, had the bit between his teeth and showed fuck all mercy against the dirtiest team in the league. Class goal. A midfield pairing is starting to blossom.
Well done lads, down to the last 8 now and after last week that was just the tonic we needed. Good to get a few goals against a team that don't leak many. On to next Sunday now.
Massive congrats to Macca and his Mrs on their babby.
Fiss
Congratulations...
To Andy and Lisa. Although a bit inconsiderate to go in labour on a sunday!
Merce you faggot get your ratings on!!! Mine will be on later...
ratings...just for Daz
Ross - As above, steady, although kicking slightly ropey 7
Dez - Didnt do anything wrong,not alot went down the right 7
Neil - Improvement on recent weeks, got forward well and lent me his boots 7
Nico - Solid as ever,couple of dodgy moments this week tho 6.5
Per - won every header and challenge and got his weekly rant in on me 8
Smudge - struggled to get in the game on the right and got frustrated, more to come. 6.5
Truby - Great tackling, commitment and goal - 8.5
Fiss - Good first half, by-passed a little second 7
Carey - Good to see him back, worked hard and looked the business on the ball, few more game and i reckon the Baird will be back fully - 7
Woz - Great runs in the channel and got his goal, not quite back to his best but in the right direction 7.5
Marc Green - "beefed up" the defence as said on the fyldesport website - 7
Gaz - Not long enough to get into the game 6.5
now for yours Dezzzzzzzzzy........
Ratings
Ross..had a point 2 prove i think,pulled of sum good saves,and a lot more confident than normal.7.5
Nico..A lot better at right back,just the 1 dodgey moment with ross witch i can remember .7
Per..confused me a bit as 2 who i was pickin up,but domated in the air and clearing his lines.7
Dezy..not a right lot 2 do,but just needs 2 use his body wight a bit more.but very good when he has the ball at his feet.7.3
Carey..first start in almost a year and did a great job in front of me,as above when his fitness is bk he will be like a new signing..mite of lost a yard of pace tho,but dont think he had it before,sorry thunder thys.8
Fiss.good game but just a quick look over his shoulder 2 have look at the space between midfeild and defence,and play on with a little injury he picked up in the first half,and got rewarded with a goal.7.5
Truby..looked like he fancyed a batle from the first wistle,got 1 and won,so thats an 7.8 from me.
Paul..can do a good job 4 us on the right,clever player.7.3
Merc.our forgoten striker..looked like he enjoyed his football a bit more today..7.4
Wos..got the goal he wanted,just needs his full confidence back,we know u can get um big man.7.3
Greeny.gave me a bit more confidence when he came on with experence,'not with the pen tho'.6
Gaz..got stuck in,good player as i know from school.6
Mom.truby or carey. I hope thats onest and a laugh 4 every one(inclueding my spelling witch is awfull) thank u a simple left back.
Here you go...
By the way merce i think i have stolen your "fall guy" role, well spotted! Better team performance this week. Slightly ropey 2nd half but nowhere near last weeks lows. Main differences i noticed was the positioning at the back, stalling their attacks and giving the 2 in the middle chance to help out which they did superbly and my bro's improvement up top. Ratings...
Ross-7 I agree, did well but a few dodgy kicks. I thought that mitre footy was shite though.
Neil-7 Decent game, was letting a few to many crosses get in but not sure whether it was cos he was watching a striker?
Nico-7.5 Cleared lines well with good positioning for their crosses. Sometimes nearly got caught with ball over top.
Per-8 Again super heading and positioning and adequate on the deck.
Carey-7 Getting back to old self.
Smudge-7 Was ignored a few times on the right but did ok when involved.
Truby-8.5 MOM Good game, great goal and tackling- the nutter!
Mercer-7.5 Enjoyed his role of old. Maybe i'll get a go there one day?
Craig-8 Back to form 1st half, bit quieter 2nd.
Greeny- Late show, late tackle.
Gaz- Fitted in well.
Erm does the name 'Fiss' ring any bell Dezzer?
I know I had a quiet game Desmond but to leave me out of your ratings completly is a bit harsh pal!!!
Im not having this, Im going back on the hash!!!
Fiss
didnt make it on sunday so
didnt make it on sunday so cant comment on how we played but a 4-1 win says it all..a great way to bounce back after last week lets build on this and have another great run winning games till the end of the season and makin a real push for a top place finish. well done to all the lads who played and saw us thru to the next round.
funny ratings from mercer
just funny how mercer rates somebody who's challenging for his position the lowest haha
when i played the ball to woz down right for 1st goal then set up trubys for the last goal put at least 8 decent balls into the box for the strikers to get on the end of with left and right foot (yes thats both feet) made at least 5 runs down the right but was not put in when was free due to lack of vision!!!!(not from midfield i might add)
i admit i wasn't in the game as much as id have wanted to be but as far as keeping possession and playing easy balls and picking the right pass at the right times, i thought i did most of the time i was on the ball. Hence why i think division 1 might be a step to far for some people if we get promoted!!!!
we might have a big squad but.... il let todays quote do the talking.... IT'S ABOUT QUALITY NOT QUANTITY!!!
i.e you can put a 100 crap balls into the box get nothing but it only takes 1 quality ball to score!!!!!
just like to say well done boys good win!!!!
and thought you played well mercer!!! you deserve your 7/10 ;)
smudger
Scholesy??
Has Scholes rejoined?? That did make me chuckle.
Smudger
Got to be the worst midfielder in Sunday football, will not accept anything less than a 9.5 on his ratings.
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