Match Reports
Metro 5 Pre-Season v Slacks
Result: Slacks Creek 1 KPR 0
Date: Saturday 27/02/10
Kick Off: 13:00
Conditions: Overcast with intermittent horizontal rain (but still hot!)
New Metro 5 coach Graham Cameron had deliberately scheduled this final trial game under the glare of the early afternoon sun to help the players acclimatise for the season ahead. However these plans were quickly thwarted when the heavens opened soon after the first members of the squad arrived at the ground. There was also a minor setback when new French pair Jeremy & Jean-Jacques pulled out half an hour before kickoff. Reasons for this remain unclear at the time of writing. When Jeremy called Graham to explain the situation, all any bystander could ascertain from the short conversation was "I canny understaarnd yer mate"...
Despite the weather and the late omissions, the mood amongst the players was positive in the lead up, and this materialised on the pitch from the off as KPR dominated much of the possession in the first 25 minutes. Good link up play between Niall and Neil in the middle of the park, ably supported by Tom Beattie playing just in front of a back three, saw the Rovers camped out in the home sides half during most of the opening exchanges. Several good chances were created, with Danny going closest with a snap shot from close range that sailed just over the bar. As the half went on, the opposition started to find their game and goalkeeper Grant Preston was called upon to make some telling interceptions, which he did with courage and commitment (despite being on the turps the night before celebrating his birthday!). A period of sustained pressure finally bore fruit for the Creek, as their centre forward found a gap in the tiring Rovers defence, ghosting in at the back post to get on the end of a deceivingly low cross and head the ball home. The half time whistle followed shortly afterwards with the two teams heading off for some R&R more or less level on points (if not on goals!).
Within five minutes of the restart, the Rovers looked to be in more trouble than Donald Trump in a wind tunnel as the home sides centre forward took advantage of a hopeful long ball (and no linesman) to bear down on goal and chip a nicely weighted shot over the advancing Preston. It looked for all money to be a second goal but the ball somehow deviated slightly off the uneven surface and rolled in slow motion into the foot of the post, stopping dead on the line. Fortunately James Kelleher was on hand to clear out of the danger area. The remainder of the second half was a little bit of a scrappy affair with the intermittent showers and swirling wind combining to create increasingly unfavourable playing conditions. A few half chances were manufactured by both teams but neither goalkeeper was called upon to perform any major heroics. Fitness seemed to play a part aswell with the Rovers midfield struggling at times to hold the ball up or get their passing game going. Tom Beattie was again industrious in what is a relatively unfamiliar role and the coach was pleased with an improved defensive display. All in all a reasonable performance against a side who finished as comfortable minor premiers of the Metro 6 silver division last year and plenty of positives to take into the opening game of the season.
