“Facelad run continues”
Going into the last game of 2014 facelad looked to continue their blossoming run of form in the league at home to Surprise package Spartans, Facelad unbeaten in the league were brimming with confidence with a new style of play to combat a young Spartan side that they struggled against before. A week before facelad were forced into changes of selection and formation due to injuries/suspensions, however facelad welcomed this formation with open arms. With solidarity at the back thanks to the return of Michael Coffer and new signing Stuart Shaw making his debut for the club facelad looked determined to right some wrongs in this return fixture.
Starting in a 3-5-2 system facelad wanted to keep it very tight and compact in the first 20 minutes of this game with O’Brien and Scott not being to expansive from wing back positions. Starting the game brightly with a new look back 3 of Coffer, Alderman and Barton they had the confidence to play out from the back this allowed facelad to counter superbly well through Scott and O’Brien’s desire to get the ball forward.
After some really goods spells in play facelads Alderman was fouled, bouncing up and taking a quick free kick into C. Comerford feet, after picking out O’Brien with a peach of a ball out to the wing back, O’Brien was left with plenty to do with intentions of going at goal, ghosting past a non existent RB O’Brien blasts home for he’s 10th league goal of the season.
Minutes after facelad run riot again after the ball falls to Gash on the edge whos perfectly weighted pass to Knott who had time and space to strike the ball beautifully from the edge of the box with his so called weaker left foot. The Spartans keeper was left rooted to the spot and could do nothing to stop Knott's shot.
Facelad didn't stop there though, the team seemed relentless as they won another corner with J. Clynes to take, a good delivery from the young man being matched by equally good defending saw the ball cleared out to the far side of the pitch where alderman took a touch to set himself and delivered a deep teasing ball into the box for Joe Gash to head home for his second in as many games.
For the first half hour Facelad looked untouchable but a quick lapse in concentration saw them lose the chance to get that first clean sheet in the league and the score was at a familiar 3-1 for Facelad.
The second half saw Facelad keep the ball well and few counter attacks create a great number of very good chances. J. Clynes and C. Comerford were at the heart of these counters and as C. Comerford tired he would often get the ball to J. Clynes as quick as possible. Gash found himself one on one with the keep 3 times but unfortunately a combination of tiredness, a poor pitch and a lack of composure saw him let these chance slip. Nearer the end of the game Knott also found himself through on goal but full of confidence from his 1st half strike he attempted a chip which landed right in the keepers hand.
The match finished 3-1 to Facelad in a game where it looked over after half an hour of play, a competent performance.
