The Lord Nelson FC V Queens Park FC
Sunday 9th September 2012
Neville Recreation Ground
The opening game of The Lord Nelson’s season was bathed in late summer sunshine, as the stifling conditions promised to test each players conditioning to the limit. Despite the heat, the pitch surface was excellent - favouring a passing game, and for visitors Queen Park this was all the encouragement they needed.
Fresh off the back of a 4-1 win in their previous fixture the away team were full of confidence; a well organised and technically sound side they kept the ball very well, making it very difficult for The Lord Nelson midfield to be economic with their energy. However, thanks to some excellent off the ball pressure and team structure Queens Park were reduced to one or two long range efforts in the first half – with little to no clean cut chances. The home side did look dangerous when they attacked at pace and in numbers – creating a couple of chances in the first period. The away side were beatable, despite their possession monopoly.
Goalkeeper Sam Cappell was looking assured, and in the first half showed good handling and appeared a more dominant figure behind the centre back pairing of Tom Bentley and Adam Ellmore – a partnership that seems to be strengthening with every match. The directness of winger Josh Reeves and the touch and strength of striker Darren Martin were also a big plus for manager Tommy Clitheroe, as the pair caused problems for the QP defensive line.
The central midfield trio of Chris Fields, Christian Brazier and Shane Brown worked tirelessly in the first half to prevent a talented away side from creating numerous openings – putting as much pressure as they could on the gifted Queens Park number 7, a deep lying playmaker at the heart of everything the visitors were trying to do.
At half time The Lord Nelson left the field content with their effort and organisation in containing Queens Park with a difficult to break down 4-5-1 set up – reducing them to half chances, but the home team clearly wanted more from the match.
Factoring in the hot weather conditions and a strong bench, Manager Tommy Clitheroe looked to refresh the midfield early on in the second half with two substitutions; Chris Scott-Smith making way for Craig Dixon and Jake Alford coming on to replace Chris Fields in the crucial midfield anchor role.
The home team appeared to hit the ground running in the first ten minutes of the second half, fashioning a couple of decent chances. The best chance arriving in the 50th minute when a long ball flicked on by Darren Martin accurately found the run of Josh Reeves down the inside left channel – the youngster took the ball on the half volley from 30 yards hoping to catch the away keeper off his line only to see his shot slice agonisingly wide of the top left corner. The away side were lucky to escape a red card also, when Darren Martin was pulled back by the last man running through on goal…
However, the Hove side could not make that bright opening to the half stick and the quality of Queens Park began to tell and the away side forged some good chances against the stubborn home defence. First when a low shot was saved and then pounced on by the impressive Sam Cappell, and moments later when a powerful back post header forced Cappell into action once again, pushing the ball over the bar for a corner.
Around the hour mark The Lord Nelson made their final substitution; off came Christian Brazier, who had ran himself into the ground with an immense and characteristic battling display, and on came Grant Ford to provide width down the right. The yellow and blues then moved to a 4-4-2 as Shane Brown moved up along side Darren Martin in attack. The home side were clearly looking to try and win the game.
Then in the 70th minute a hammer blow to the stout home resistance. Around 40 yards from goal substitute Jake Alford miss-controlled the ball and then allowed his man to pass him – the Queens Park attacker headed towards goal with time and space and as the Nelson defence opened up a clean low strike found the corner of the net. Captain Tom Bentley clearly incensed by the incident, letting the new signing know in no uncertain terms what he expects from his midfield. Despite the goal disadvantage, The Lord Nelson tried to respond, pushing bodies forward in attack. Winger Josh Reeves moved in off of his left flank with the ball attempting to create an opportunity, substitute Grant Ford attempted more direct deliveries to the front men, full backs Simon Jones and Andrew Barnes tried to force the issue also.
By this point the game had opened up significantly.
With both teams stretched and the home side pushing for an equaliser Queens Park found the space and time to open up the defence once again – a clever turn on the ball from the number 9 in the box allowed him to fire the ball home at the near post, giving keeper Sam Cappell no chance. That made it 2-0 Queens Park with around 5 minutes of normal time remaining. The wind well and truly knocked out of yellow and blue sails.
Two goals quickly became three as the final whistle approached. Beaten by a very decent side on the day a disheartened Lord Nelson team and management left the ground, yet there were many positives to take from the game and some good foundations in place to kick start their season.
MOM : Sam Cappell
