Parsonage 2 v 0 Lakeview
Echo League “Challenge Cup” ¼ final
Played Sun 15 Jan 2006
As always the clash against these two great teams produced a game of football that both Managers can be proud of.
Both teams started nervously and the ball seemed to be out of play more that in. Parsonage had the better of the early efforts, with a Ross Cope corner rolling along the top of the bar and a Callum O’Sullivan effort going 2 foot aver the bar. Lakeview steadied and got into the match having a couple of shots from outside the area that went wide of the goal. Midway through the 2nd half a Parsonage move on the left opened the Lakeview defence and Jack Lawrence’s shot was saved by Joe but saw Callum O’Sullivan follow up and score from close range. The rest of the half was played out mostly in the middle of the park with no reel chances for either team.
In the opening minute of the second half Ryan Malletts shot across the goal went inches wide when looking to be goal bound all the way and shortly after Jack Lawrence’s low drive was superbly saved by Joe in the Lakeview goal. Just when Parsonage were really on top back came Lakeview who for 10 minutes got the upper hand but great defending restricted Lakeview to shots from far out that all went wide of the target never troubling the Con Man. With approx 7 mins left a good Parsonage move down the right which seemed to have broken down inside the Lakeview box, saw Ryan Mallett look up to see Joe off his line and the striker cleverly hit a half volley over the Lakeview keepers head which came down and nestled in the corner of the net.
Lakeview now two down went searching for goals and had a Jamie Caroll header fly just over the bar and a Grace effort skim a post. A couple of other Lakeview efforts from outside the area were put quiet wide of the target. Gaps opened for Parsonage on the counterattack but good defending by Lakeview stopped Parsonage added any further goals. Finished Parsonage 2 Lakeview 0
These two teams always play good passing attacking football and this one was no exception. The psychological advantage before kick off was with Parsonage as Lakeview had failed to ever beat Parsonage in 10 previous encounters (includes tournaments). The first Parsonage goal was a big blow for Lakeview and the task ahead for them was always going to be difficult as we have only conceded one goal this season in league and cup.
I was pleased with the way we moved the ball around today but often we were selecting to pass at times when the pass wasn’t really on and also choosing not to pass and run with the ball, when we should have passed/crossed. As always our back two were magnificent. They time and time again held up the Lakeview players long enough for our hard working midfielders to get behind the ball, which frustrated Lakeview into long range efforts.
Overall we deserved our victory today and I am pleased for the boys that they moved a step closer to obtaining the only piece of silverware that is missing from their bedrooms “The Echo League Cup Winners medal”.
Thanks to Lakeview as always for making a great match.
Parsonage Team
Kain, Bearman, O’Sullivan, Grigg, Mallett,
Ragon, Clark, Cope. Lawrence