Higham Colts 2 v Thrapston Town 0
Will the real Thrapston Town please stand up.
When faced with ordinary opposition so far this season the
Town have struggled to assert themselves and take anything
from the match. Today, against one of the top teams in the
division who will be challenging for honours come April, they
rose to the challenge and gave Higham a fright.
With a squad pared to the bone through illness, injury and
sponsored walk no shows, Thrapston gave 11-a-side debuts to
Ben Robinson and Michael McConnell. A new holding midfield
role for Tom Alsop was to prove successful, and a return to
the side after illness for Sam Gallagher was to make the difference
to the back four we all expected.
As the game got underway in testing, rainy windy conditions,
heavy underfoot, the side was barely recognisable from that
of previous weeks. Tackles were not only made, but also won.
Clearances were made and not scuffed 3 metres to the nearest
forward. Passes were reaching team mates and there was a first
half rumour circulating that someone had heard Thrapston players
calling for a pass and talking to their colleagues –
news indeed.
Unfortunately, The Town had sacrificed attacking flair for
defensive stability and while Robinson worked hard as the
lone striker he was unable to work any real goal scoring opportunities.
The best chances of a first half in which Thrapston more than
held their own fell to Luke Rivett, and on a rare foray forward,
Alsop with shots from the edge of the box. Half time, nil,
nil.
The second half saw Thrapston battling the elements and in
truth they spent large parts of the half in their own half,
so to speak. However, this was without Higham creating too
much and what there was, was adequately dealt with by Alex
Vitue between the sticks.
With ten minutes left, Josh Scarbrow was unable to make up
ground on a breaking forward and he shot in to the net to
give Higham the lead. Soon after, it was two as a Higham corner
dropped in the six yard areas, and the ball was poked home
amid a flurry of boots and mud.
And so the game ended. A great team effort that must be carried
forward in to next weeks game and translated in to a win.
In reality there were a number of performances of note today
– Luke Rivett, battling to get us back in to the match.
The back four of Gallagher, Morson, Scarbrow and Noakes who
coped well with both conditions and opposition. Tom Alsop
for providing some midfield craft and everyone else for their
battling and commitment. However, the Man of the Match award
went to Alex Vitue for another solid performance between the
sticks, and in expectation of the mess he was likely to make
on the upholstery of his Dad’s new car on the way home.
Final score Higham Two, Thrapston Nul.
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