TEVERSAL FC 3-0 NUNEATON GRIFF FC
Paul Thompson, manager of Teversal FC, was grateful that Jamie Smith was
available for selection in the First Round Qualifying of the FA Vase, as
the central midfielder's brace saw off the challenge of travelling
Nuneaton Griff. In the teams' first ever meeting, Thompson's side romped
to a 3-0 win and are confident that they can enjoy a good run in the
Vase.
The previous week, Smith had had to miss the 6-0 league defeat to Askern
Villa as he rushed his eight-month-pregnant girlfriend to hospital - it
turned out to be a false alarm. And Thompson admitted that his team had
missed Smith's grit and determination at the centre of the park.
After a good start to the season, Teversal had "the kick up the arse they
needed" last week, conceded Thompson, who added: "Nuneaton Griff were
unlucky to be on the end of it. We had been wound up."
Though the home team - who compete in the Northern Counties East League
Division One - dominated at the Grange Sports and Social Centre in
Sutton-in-Ashfield, it was Nuneaton Griff who had the best chance to
take the lead after only five minutes on a rain-soaked pitch.
Jamie Goodacre had felled Chris Patridge in the Teversal area, but the
Nuneaton Griff captain saw his penalty saved at full stretch by Danny Herring.
Incredibly it was the stopper's third save from four spot kicks so far this season.
"I stuck by him in a tricky pre-season," said Thompson, "and now he is showing us what
he can really do."
After dominating the half, Teversal broke the deadlock two minutes
before the interval when Smith's quick thinking proved the difference.
Presented with a free-kick from 25 yards, he cracked the ball into
the top corner as the defence were still organising their wall.
On 63 minutes, the home side doubled their lead when Rob Orton released
Michael Lyall down the left wing. Lyall's pin-point cross found the head
of striker Andy Woodcock, who did the rest. With nine minutes remaining,
Orton and Woodcock again combined before the supporting Smith was set
up - and fired home.
"It was a good win," beamed manager Thompson. "We had a kick up the
backside last week, and we missed Jamie. He is a no-nonsense footballer
who can actually play football. He is exactly what the club have been
looking for. Players feed off his kind of determination.
"I just hope Jamie's girlfriend has her baby on a Monday so we can
select him at the weekend!"
Paul Thompson, manager of Teversal FC, was grateful that Jamie Smith was
available for selection in the First Round Qualifying of the FA Vase, as
the central midfielder's brace saw off the challenge of travelling
Nuneaton Griff. In the teams' first ever meeting, Thompson's side romped
to a 3-0 win and are confident that they can enjoy a good run in the
Vase.
The previous week, Smith had had to miss the 6-0 league defeat to Askern
Villa as he rushed his eight-month-pregnant girlfriend to hospital - it
turned out to be a false alarm. And Thompson admitted that his team had
missed Smith's grit and determination at the centre of the park.
After a good start to the season, Teversal had "the kick up the arse they
needed" last week, conceded Thompson, who added: "Nuneaton Griff were
unlucky to be on the end of it. We had been wound up."
Though the home team - who compete in the Northern Counties East League
Division One - dominated at the Grange Sports and Social Centre in
Sutton-in-Ashfield, it was Nuneaton Griff who had the best chance to
take the lead after only five minutes on a rain-soaked pitch.
Jamie Goodacre had felled Chris Patridge in the Teversal area, but the
Nuneaton Griff captain saw his penalty saved at full stretch by Danny Herring.
Incredibly it was the stopper's third save from four spot kicks so far this season.
"I stuck by him in a tricky pre-season," said Thompson, "and now he is showing us what
he can really do."
After dominating the half, Teversal broke the deadlock two minutes
before the interval when Smith's quick thinking proved the difference.
Presented with a free-kick from 25 yards, he cracked the ball into
the top corner as the defence were still organising their wall.
On 63 minutes, the home side doubled their lead when Rob Orton released
Michael Lyall down the left wing. Lyall's pin-point cross found the head
of striker Andy Woodcock, who did the rest. With nine minutes remaining,
Orton and Woodcock again combined before the supporting Smith was set
up - and fired home.
"It was a good win," beamed manager Thompson. "We had a kick up the
backside last week, and we missed Jamie. He is a no-nonsense footballer
who can actually play football. He is exactly what the club have been
looking for. Players feed off his kind of determination.
"I just hope Jamie's girlfriend has her baby on a Monday so we can
select him at the weekend!"
Labels: FA Vase
