The Sheffield Academicals travelled to Parklands to meet a side who had won all games bar 2 narrow defeats to the other Championship contenders in the division. It’s away games like this where the Accies have the opportunity to stamp their authority on the division and that’s exactly what they did as they roared out of the blocks with 3 rapid goals.
After a good few minutes of pressure a free kick was won out wide on the left flank which Dan dropped into the space between keeper and defence for Brian to sweep home with his left foot after a well-timed run. Seconds after the re-start Big Si and Whitey harried their midfield into conceding possession and the ball was moved up front to Jamie. Jamie showed good strength and timed his pass perfectly to Dan who pulled the ball onto his left foot in the box and draw a good save from the keeper who could only parry the ball to Brian who volleyed home with his right foot for the second goal.
The home side were reeling and arguing between themselves but managed to win a couple of free kicks which they pinged into the box but offered no real threat as Reedy, Batts and Stan marshalled the back line. Their right midfielder tried to catch out Godders with a long range shot that bounced awkwardly but other than that Parklands offered very little in terms of attacking in the early exchanges. The Accies were 3 up after a quality flowing move that involved virtually every team member found Dan on the right whose lofted cross hung in the air and caused all sorts of problems for the home keeper who could only parry it onto the bar and Brian steamed in and completed his classical hat trick with a powerful header. One left, one right and one headed goal. Marvellous effort; although I’ll leave it with his conscience as to whether it had already crossed the line. ;-)
The Academicals continued to pour forward. Several quality fast flowing moves were strung together with everyone being involved. Stan was marauding down the left and Matt G was getting plenty of balls forward into Jamie and Swifty. Jamie turned his man superbly and was unlucky not to be given a foul as he was hauled down. Swifty made a terrific run down the left and put a great ball in that Dan called for but slipped with Jamie in a good position. Whitey found Dan in the right channel with a delightful weighted ball but his pull back was desperately headed over his own bar by a covering defender. The half ended strongly for the Accies who were in complete control, Batts and Reedy had contained their useful forward really well.
Half time 0 -3
The next goal would be important as it would either give the home team some heart or completely decide the outcome of the game. Both sides went looking for it and Big Si won a midfield duel and passed it to Swifty who touched it back for Brian who had popped up on the right side; as he turned in at the corner of the box Dan gobbled up his ‘lay-off’ and smacked it into the far top corner with a left footed drive to break the spirit of the home side. Parklands had gone and the Accies enjoyed a ten minute spell of pure pressure. Whitey was dictating midfield with Big Si crunching through challenges and showing a great touch on a couple of occasions as he dinked round the Parklands tackles. Stan was winning everything that came near hime and Reedy was also reading the game well and snuffing out dangerous balls over the top. Whitey found Dan out wide with a great raking pass and his near post cross was cleared off Swiftys toe for a corner. The corner came in but was headed over under no challenge from the home defence.
The home team did manage to get a consolation as a foul was conceded near the corner flag and the cross was met powerfully by their best player to reduce the deficit to 4-1. It didn’t stop the Accies though despite a lull in play. Jamie made way for Daz and Hodgy came on for Brian and this galvanised the Academicals again as Daz turned neatly and fired a well struck shot straight at the keeper; Hodgy danced down the wing and drew a couple of corners. Trev came on for Swifty and nearly scored with a clear header after a great ball by Hodgy; but was offside in any case.
There was just time for Hodgy to win a penalty which Daz firmly planted against the bar, the ball bouncing on the half way line when it came down, before the referee wrapped up a solid performance and a ninth straight league win.
Full time Parklands 1 - 4 Academicals
