It's all about the 3 Chris's (it's Chris time) 27 February 2008
St. Lawrence res 0 - 6 Jersey Nomads res
Goal Scorers: Gallagher 2, Bowden 3, Duhamel 1
Another double-header see’s yet more changes within the res’s, which sees new boy’s Danny Houze start up top to partner Scooby do star Martin Jubb and Paul Bailey to start at the heart of the defence. Even the elusive Chris Bowden didn’t complain too much about starting at right midfield.
First 20 minutes
The Nomads began the game positively after being embarrassed in their last 3 games and having not won a completive match since the dramatic penalty shoot out win against Jersey Wanderers back in November. The first opportunity to score came within the first 2 minutes when new boy Houze was put through on goal with only the keeper to beat launched it vertically in the air Jonny Wilkinson style having apparently hit a divot. Having pinned St. Lawrence into their own half it was only a matter of time until the Nomads were rewarded with a much-deserved goal and it came from a great piece of play starting from Martin O’Neil’s love child Jonny Flanagan as he played the ball into midfield and up to Houze who handed Duhamel a golden chance to open the scoring with a neat through ball and with the keeper running out and a cool left footed shot from Duhamel hitting the back of the net. 1-0 Jersey Nomads….but wait! No goal…offside claims the linesman. Feeling cheated the Nomads pressed St. Lawrence further back and the great link up play from the midfield to the top two who were working like clockwork with Gallagher and Mansfield putting in strong performances at this stage.
Middle of the first half
Having been put under so much pressure by the attacking play of the Nomads, it seemed like St. Lawrence couldn’t live with them and resulting to the good old “up and under” routine which did start to panic the Nomads as they couldn’t win the individual battles for the headers. There were a few scares but the inform Chris Eaton having played outfield last week and scoring made some excellent saves to deny St. Lawrence an against the run of play lead.
GOAL --- Having dealt with the pressure from St. Lawrence the Nomads found their feet again with a much-needed break and resulting from a Bowden’s cross into the penalty area a shout of hand ball was sounded out by all blue shirts leaving the ref (who looked about 15) no choice but to reward the penalty. Following last weeks penalties missies by Shaggy and Duhamel, Gallagher insisted that he would take it in which he did with a great strike from 6 yards into the left hand corner leaving the keeper no chance to keeping it out.
Straight from the kick off St. Lawrence didn’t really know what to do with the ball and the Nomads piled more pressure on them to regain possession. Jonny Flanagan again played the ball out wide left to Duhamel who cut inside with the ball and run towards the danger, having seen Houze run to his Left Duhamel played a nice one-two and after receiving the ball back in the penalty area and was unlucky to see his chance go whistling past the right hand post.
HALF TIME
There wasn’t much to talk about at half time only to put more pressure on a bewildered St. Lawrence team who looked unable to cope with the spirit and determination of a much-improved Nomads team. The stand in “gaffer” Andy Nomad seemed enthusiastic with his teams first half and now wanted the team to go out and finish the job.
Second Half
The game again started off well for the Nomads who wear oozing in confidence at this time however were determined to get their much-deserved second goal. An attack on the St. Lawrence goal keeper leading to a corner resulting it being played short from Gallagher to Duhamel who put the ball back into the area but with no one challenging to get on the end of the cross, luckily the ball did bounce to a Nomads shirt with the shouts “LEAVE IT” from Chris Bowden who on the volley from 25 yards hit it perfectly with his left foot into the top of the left hand corner…truly on of the goals of the season. With the rest of the team celebrating with Bowden the new goal hero a certain Duhamel wasn’t too pleased with his mate’s efforts and walked back to the centre circle with poor bitterness all over his face. The confidence grew second half as the St. Lawrence side who were putting up a bit of a fight seemed to collapse, an offside flag was raised resulting in a Nomads free kick lead to Flanagan again spotting Duhamel with a short pass in which he was surprised as no one tried to close him down, Duhamel having run half of the pitch with the ball beating a couple of players on his way into the box found himself with another scoring opportunity and by opening his body from the tight angle coolly opened up his body and placed his shot in the top right hand corner with the keeper having no chance.
One-way traffic
3-0 the score and the Nomads wanted more…again from the kick off ran straight at the St. Lawrence players who clearly weren’t playing the football of previous encounters and were now in the way of a one way traffic situation. Duhamel who was now enjoying his role at left midfield found an opportunity to cross the ball back post and found Bowden who again with a fine shot beat the keeper from 6 yards. As the game drew on the Nomads began to totally dominate the game and poor Chris Eaton must have been bored in the Nomads nets, the back four who were strong throughout the game with the two full back Moulsen and Flanagan supporting the attack with runs through the channels pressing St. Lawrence further back. The two central midfielders who were bossing the middle of the park didn’t look like they were tired at all and within minutes penalty scorer Gallagher found himself 25/30yards out from the St. Lawrence goal and inflicted more misery upon the home team with a cheeky lob leaving the keeper in no mans land.
As the game progressed near the 90 minutes mark the Nomads hadn’t given up for a 6th goal of the day and were soon rewarded when Duhamel again picking up his second assist of the afternoon ran onto a through ball and instead of going it alone himself, flicked the ball over to the back post where again Bowden brought the ball down stabbed home his third of the afternoon.
It was by far the best performance of a Nomads reserve side this season and with two remaining fixtures are looking to finish with maximum points. Lets hope this team get their rewards and keep their places in the up and coming match against St. Martins on Saturday as each player thoroughly deserves to start.
Man of the Match
“Whole Team” – great performance
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