UPR 'A'     2   v   0    Parsonage

Echo League: Essex

Played Sun 2 Apr 2006

Parsonage started well and kept UPR pinned in their own half for long periods.  Parsonages midfield were battling hard and winning the ball, but although Parsonage had all the possession UPR defended well and chances were few.  Callum O’Sullivan and Jack Lawrence both had good efforts that went just wide but Jack Clark had the best chance of the half when his header from a Corner shaved the post before bouncing wide.  UPR had a couple of long range efforts that were caught by Conner in the Parsonage goal.   0.0 half time. 

The second half started off more even, with neither side having any goal scoring opportunities.  Approx 9 mins into the half a bouncing ball into the middle of the box, saw 6 static Parsonage players all watched as Ollie Bessex tapped home for UPR.  Parsonage rallied and a succession of corners followed, but no real chances were created.  UPR went down the other end on the break and a low cross from Ollie Bessex was unfortunately turned into the Parsonage goal by a Parsonage player (shame because there wasn’t a UPR player even in the box).  Again Parsonage rallied and corners and blocked shots followed but good UPR defending stopped Parsonage from replying. 

With 3 minutes to go Ross Cope’s well struck shot hit the underside of the bar and bounced down, which from where we were stood looked to have crossed the line.  The UPR keeper must have thought so too, as his air shot in frustration, turned to joy as the ref waved play on.  Referees decisions have to be respected, they have a hard job to do  and can only give what they see, we have no complaints.  Finished 2.0 to UPR and rightful winners.

Our dominance in the first half, should have lead to more chances and goals.  When in good positions we should have been shooting, but allowed UPR players to get behind the ball and close us down.  We need to be more ruthless in front of goal, which has been a problem really all season and by not turning our possession into first half goals, we allowed UPR to steadily get into the game, when the game should really have been already won.  We only have ourselves to blame.

 Parsonage Team

Kain, Ragon, O’Sullivan, Grigg, Mallett,

Clark, Cope, Lawrence, Bearman