Lytham Veterans 4 vs 1 Stepping Hill Veterans Sto

<p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.3em; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 14px; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; line-height: 1.4em; color: #444444;">Our annual trip to Lytham began in sunshine and for once we weren't treated to the Lytham hurricane. The home side just back from enjoying German hospitality and the normally immaculate pitch unusually a bit long. <p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.3em; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 14px; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; line-height: 1.4em; color: #444444;">Lytham comprised of the usual line up of quality passers, the Tourists still without Woosey and Budden, and with Strang, Akerman and Michael missing from what would be the normal midfield unit. Francis standing in for absentee niggler, John Cranston. Arif Kazi and Paul Fourie from BMFT filling missing full back berths and pushed high by design. <p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.3em; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 14px; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; line-height: 1.4em; color: #444444;">The back three shape was tested again, with Nutty as usual far from chuffed, but a good opportunity for Van Porous to show his growing familiarity with the role. Not looked comfortable in the previous two outings, but a solid performance today. Meaney likely to be occupying a midfield berth once we travel covered the runs of the non stop Fourie, and on the other side Macca was kept a bit busy by Arifs tendency (understandable) to play even higher than the Manager would have liked....(he never said he was a full back. Ed. ) <p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.3em; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 14px; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; line-height: 1.4em; color: #444444;">The midfield of Google and Jones (T), both of whom couldn't be faulted for effort didn't quite mesh on the day and the recurrent pattern was of competent passing but slightly hurried balls and often the wrong decision, understandable in part because of the unfamiliar formation and lack of a conventional striker. Francis busy, but isolated and often finding space only to be ignored. <p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.3em; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 14px; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; line-height: 1.4em; color: #444444;">Two Lytham first half goals were scrappy and actually both offside, with Fourie for the tourists finishing off a good run onto a defensive mistake to tuck a way a tidy finish. <p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.3em; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 14px; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; line-height: 1.4em; color: #444444;">PK and Jamie switched for Meaney and Ellis, and with Prentice pushed up we conceded a bit of possession in the middle, but the ball did stick a bit better. Guasisola for Lytham enjoyed a bit more space, but fortunately didn't have one of his best days either in terms of his normal killer passing. <p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.3em; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 14px; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; line-height: 1.4em; color: #444444;">Second half saw two Lytham goals one a good but unchallenged header and the last a scrappy goal, created by a little defensive indecision. In the meantime the Lytham keeper had to make three tidy stops, from Francis, and Macca Jr. <p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.3em; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 14px; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; line-height: 1.4em; color: #444444;">This Lytham team are not three goals better and weren't even that on the day. <p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.3em; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 14px; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; line-height: 1.4em; color: #444444;">4-1 probably a little harsh, but on a positive, more match practice, players getting a better idea of how this 3-4-2-1 works and no injuries. In addition a good run out for Arif and Paul. Thanks guys.