Thrapston Town 0 - Castle Rise 8
As awakenings go, this was ruder than a very
rude thing which is being even ruder than normal.
As the crowd streamed through the gates for side’s
first game in their new stadium, excitement was in the air,
expectant, nay demanding that players match their pre season
form and passion in the first truly competitive match they
have played as a unit. Much talk surrounded the formation
to be used by the manager, could he, Sven like, manage to
turn a team of good individual players in to shambolic excuse
for a side, and then make a few baffling substitutions to
round things off nicely? No- today’s performance was
just one of those bad days at the office that needs wiping
from the memory as soon as possible.
Town welcomed Eric Curtis, a summer signing from local rivals
Oundle in to the side, and such has been his contribution
since signing in June, that he was made skipper.
Soon after the kick off Town were on the back foot, as Rise
drove in number one, and hooked in number two, pretty much
before the town defenders had taken their guard. The side
seemed to visibly roll their sleeves up and came back in to
the match with Last seasons top scorers Rivett and Alsop both
having chances to reduce the deficit, but letting them slip
by. Chandler abbots reverse swinging corners were also causing
some problems for the Rise.
However, all too often Thrapston failed to clear their lines,
little snicks and glances, where a flashing drive out of defence
was needed. They were punished for this three more times before
the break to go in 5 down. Oh dear, how we seemed to be missing
someone to put a foot through the ball in that defensive third!
Early in the second half, Thrapston threatened to get a toe
hold in the match with a number of chances coming and going,
including a couple of open goals. They were killed off with
a goal that came after the Town failed to clear on four occasions
– oh how our attackers would have enjoyed such hospitality
at the other end. Two late goals again from missed clearances
and air shots sealed Town’s fate.
We’ve learnt so many things during a sensational summer
break. Above all, whether on a balmy night in Istanbul, at
an IOC meeting in Singapore, or at cricket grounds in Birmingham
or Nottingham, we’ve learned that if you truly believe,
you can achieve anything. When we return to league action
in 2 weeks, our challenge is to turn the hope that comes at
the start of every season in to the belief that will carry
us up the table after this initial set back.
Man Of The Match – Josh Scarbrow – Carried on
where he left off in pre-season – the most assured member
of a back four who despite the score line didn’t really
put a foot wrong.
Final Score, Thrapston Town Nul, Castle Rise Eight.
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