STUDLEY FC 3-0 PAGET RANGERS: THE MATCH REPORT...

Studley Bees Prevent Paget Bears From Taking Any Honey From The Beehive…

Studley FC 3-0 Paget Rangers

It was hard work attempting to slither up what used to be the grassy bank at Studley’s pitch, it was even harder work slip-sliding back down to firmer ground for a safer viewing base but it was harder work still watching this encounter, which for long periods was tedious. Folks were forced to spend a good deal of their time using mobile phones during the match. (No change there, though…) So Studley, currently in good form made really hard work of winning the game, although Rangers enjoyed some good periods, without really testing home goalie Connor McCarthy. The opening goal was odd, for Danny Carter scored it almost in slow motion, leaving many of us checking whether there was a wagging linesman’s flag waiting to nullify the strike. Thus the teams trudged off at the break in foul moods, especially Bee Max Crisp and Bear Jack Storer, who hadn’t liked each other much, following an unsavoury challenge moments before…

NOT IN A GOOD PLACE...

The second period was slightly better to watch and it was blessed with two well taken goals by Mark Magee and debutant Chris Cowley but those efforts apart, there was little to cheer the hardy spectators who had turned out on a windy evening to watch. At least it wasn’t cold… Bear Billy Fagg’s temper smoked and he was binned as a sinner, complaining when Shaun Smith received a caution for a foul and of course playing with ten men for ten minutes hardly helped Paget’s cause. Visiting skipper Drew Ricketts was so committed throughout this contest though and he carried his team on occasions, well supported by the overlapping left-back Ryan Butcher, Lewis Clarke and Dan Cullen at the back and the efforts of Storer and Dan Elwell in midfield.

NEARLY READY...

The hosts were well served by the work ethics of Crisp, alongside Luke Hennessey in defence, also Max Loveridge, Jordan Jones and Matt Edwards in the factory area of midfield, although really, the forwards weren’t really given too much in the way of useful service, despite their valiant enthusiasm. It was good to see Lewis Marston skippering the Bees (King Bee?) but unusual to see him in such a defensive role. Ah yes, mate, age comes to us all… (Joking, honestly…) Replacement Cowley was lively, as was Dean Fisher but subsequently it was the team’s sheer effort which won the points on a disappointing evening. 

THE TOSS...

There was little to comment upon during the opening period, apart from the goal and the altercation between Crisp and Storer, which continued as the players left the field for their glasses of port and plates of nibbles. Danny Carter had already lifted a close range effort over the target from a left-side centre and then shot low at Bears’ ‘keeper Sean Butler but it was still a shock when Loveridge was involved on the right, Harvey Smith crossed low and Carter was standing two yards from goal, as the Rangers defenders stood like mannequins allowing the forward to slot the ball past the Paget gloveman. Dale Edwards, he of the neat control and dribble, did force the goalie into a low save from an angled drive and he also shot another effort waywardly, whereas the willing Magee’s only goal attempt was a weak attempt to Butler.

CARTER FOR 1-0...

The guests had seen an Elwell shot beaten away by McCarthy, who also collected two efforts by the busy Nathaniel McKenzie, then following a surging rush, Shaun Smith drove an effort over the right angle of crossbar and vertical pole. However, the best shot for the Bears came following a right-wing corner, when defender Clarke’s fine volley flew just wide of the left upright. 

INQUEST...

Richard Briggs, a Studley coach passed me before the second period began and suggested that I delete the footage from the first-half. Subsequently, I, er, didn’t…

CRISP & STORER: HMM...

SMITH THINKS THAT STORER'S IMPRESSION OF TOMMY COOPER IS REALLY GOOD...

Certainly the visitors began the second 45 in positive mood but once Butcher’s centre had been delivered untouched across the face of goal, following a clever one-two between the number 3 and Fagg, then McKenzie’s near post diversion of replacement Yasin Al-Massry’s low centre had been blocked by Crisp, little was seen of the guests as an attacking group, bar a wild effort by McKenzie, a weak shot by Al-Massry and a drive wide late on by Joseph Drake-Cervantes. 

DUGOUT IN THE DARK...

...& ANOTHER...

The hosts went close when a rising 10 yard shot by Crisp, following a corner, clipped the top of the crossbar but once Magee had picked up a pass from Matt Edwards, left side of the penalty-box, 15 yards out and his curled effort had beaten Butler and nestled in the goal-net near the far stick, Studley began to find the going slightly easier.

THE CLEAREST I COULD MAKE THE SCREENSHOT OF GOAL 2.
SORRY MARK...

Another Magee shot from 13 yards, centrally, drifted wide of the right post, substitute Odane Barnes totally mis-kicked from a good position, 16 yards out, Carter shot at Butler, replacement Fisher shot a free-kick into the side-netting and Cowley headed a right-flank cross square across the 18 yard box. However, it would be the debutant who settled the result, for on a break the ball was turned back to Cowley, 15 yards out by Carter and Cowley left-booted a finish which soared high into the left corner of the net. Looked good when it lifted the netting…

COWLEY IS ABOUT TO SCORE FOR 3-0...

EXCITED BENCH...
(REALLY?)

Yes, Shaun Smith was cautioned and Fagg was sin-binned but worse would happen to Bee Harvey Smith, who chased a free-kick’s flight but crashed into the left upright. It was weird, for it must have happened before to Harvey Smith at Hickstead, tumbling from his horse into a fence and being hurled into a white pole. Odd how history repeats itself… I can see the Studley forward now, giving me that famous two-fingered salute…

ELWELL & CRISP: THAT WELL KNOWN FIRM OF SOLICITORS...

So, Studley remain on course to challenge Brocton and Leicester Road at the top of the division and Paget will need to reorganise and go again.

It was a tough light to film in but I hope the players and coaches manage to find some interest in the footage…

RACE TO SEE WHO CAN PULL HIS SOCKS UP FIRST...

Good to see a Butcher, a Smith, a Carter, a Fisher and a Storer on the team-sheets, as well as a Butler…

WHAT THE GAME IS ALL ABOUT...

TEAMS:

STUDLEY FC: 

CONNOR MCCARTHY, JORDAN JONES, LEWIS MARSTON (CAPT), MAX CRISP, LUKE HENNESSEY, MAX LOVERIDGE, MATT EDWARDS, DALE EDWARDS, MARK MAGEE, HARVEY SMITH, DANNY CARTER.

SUBS:

DEAN FISHER, JEAN KALENDA, CHRIS COWLEY, ODANE BARNES, JACK ALLERTON.

PAGET RANGERS:

SEAN BUTLER, DAN CULLEN, RYAN BUTCHER, LEWIS CLARKE, DREW RICKETTS (CAPT), JOSEPH DRAKE-CERVANTES, DAN ELWELL, SHAUN SMITH, NATHANIEL MCKENZIE, BILLY FAGG, JACK STORER.

SUBS:

YASIN AL-MASSRY, JAKE ABRAHAM, OWEN WARD, CODY MULLAN.