ALCESTER TOWN 2-1 CHELMSLEY TOWN: THE MOWDOG'S INDEPENDENT REPORT + SCREENSHOTS...

 Competitive Workout Won By Spectacular Garmson Finish…

Alcester Town 2-1 Chelmsley Town…

The Mowdog’s thoughts…

Firstly, thanks to both clubs for providing most of the names of their players with corresponding shirt numbers to assist my commentary during this competitive workout on pitch two at the now changing Stratford Road venue.

I apologise for any errors in identifying players…

After light morning rain, by 3pm the weather had changed, as sunlight and warmth graced the countryside around the Stratford Road sports facilities. Both teams were industrious, despite the still dry and hard surface but it was noticeable that just for once at the ground there was no real wind howling across the fields, which usually provides the accompaniment to my vocals and actually normally drowns me out. That’s actually good, I hear you mumble…  

Won by a really fine strike by Adam Garmson, the spectacle was eminently watchable with both teams fashioning chances, although with their strong replacements, like the Bunns, Cam Crook, Adam Bourn and Garmson after the recess, Alcester looked the more dominant outfit as the encounter wore on. 

The goal chances, as they happened… 

Both ‘keepers made early low saves with Alcester’s Will Haycock getting down quickly to his left to reach a flick by Josh Stewart and visiting gloveman Connor Hill managing to smuggle Drew Ricketts’ downward header behind for a corner at the right stick.

HAYCOCK SAVES FROM STEWART...

RICKETTS' HEADER WOULD BE PUSHED WIDE BY HILL...

The opening goal stemmed from good work in midfield by the inspirational Roman Centurion, Chris Dyson but then a fine run on the right by the influential Woody Hawkett ended with a low centre which Sam Judge stretched for and his connection rolled towards the left post from 12 yards. Although Hill sprawled right and got a hand onto the shot, unfortunately for him, he merely diverted it onto the inside of the left upright and into the net… 

HAWKETT ASSISTS...

...JUDGE STRETCHES...

...HILL GETS A TOUCH...

...BUT THE BALL ROLLS INTO THE NET...

...FOR 1-0...

Chelmsley’s Joe McGreath netted but was adjudged offside, before central striker Luke Keen fastened onto the ball from a crowd at the right corner of the penalty-box, moved left and fired an instant, low left-footed drive which beat Haycock’s dive and nestled neatly just inside the right vertical pole. 

KEEN MOVES CLEAR OF THE CROWD...

...SHOOTS...

...& BEATS HAYCOCK...

...TO REGAIN PARITY FOR CHELMSLEY...

Before the interval, Judge got free inside the 18 yard box and chose to try to lift the ball over the advancing Hill but he managed only to release a shot past the right post. 

After the break, Haycock was forced into two saves, first leaping superbly to tip over a fine shot on the turn by Keen from 16 yards, then he slightly fumbled McGreath’s low effort but turned to grab the loose ball as it rolled towards the goal-line.

KEEN HOOKS A FINE EFFORT...

...BUT HAYCOCK LEAPS...

...TO MAKE A FINE SAVE...

HAVING LOST MCGREATH'S LOW SHOT, HAYCOCK TURNS TO GRAB THE LOOSE BALL...

The always dangerous and elusive Bourn instinctively nodded over the target from a few yards out for the hosts, Garmson lashed a wild volley way off target but then won the match with his splendid finish.

BOURN NODS TOO HIGH...

...& GARMSON LASHES A VOLLEY OVER THE CROSSBAR...

He had taken over the free-kicks, corners and long throws since the recess and his next throw from the right was nodded back towards him by Chelmsley’s left-back Dale Hewitt, he of the fine left foot. Garmson went for the ball with the defending Harry Jackson (wearing 11 for Chelmsley I believe…) and the ball broke for the Roman. 

Garmson steadied himself then launched a fine left-booted cross-shot from downtown at an angle, which flew over the flailing arms of Hill and the effort dropped into the far side of the net…  

GARMSON SHOOTS...

...& WINS THE GAME...

Hill made comfortable saves in succession from Garmson and Dyson and after Chelmsley trialist 5 had flicked an effort just over the home crossbeam, another visiting trialist, 12, hacked a close range effort by Crook off his own goal-line, following a dangerous Garmson corner from the right-flank. 

TRIALIST 5 FLICKS A SHOT JUST TOO HIGH FOR CHELMSLEY...

CROOK THE ROMAN HAS HIS LOW SHOT HACKED CLEAR BY CHELMSLEY'S TRIALIST 12...

The final words…

Dyson was Alcester’s pivot and he did the job well, whilst Hawkett’s first period efforts were generally good, often winning midfield aerial duels too, whist Judge’s pace and movement in attack were very useful. George Davis seemed to become more influential as the game wore on and his verbal contribution must never be underestimated.

Crook and the Bunns were steady for the Romans after the break, whilst Henry Gibson, Joe Reynolds and Luke Brown were all lively and competitive.

For Chelmsley, right-back Henry Walker looked solid and one sliding tackle during the opening period brought gasps from the few spectators on the touchline. It was well timed though and not penalised…

COMFORTABLE CATCH BY HILL...

The Chelmsley trialist 18 was very assured in central defence during the first 45 for the guests, showing admirable calmness in possession, whilst left-back Hewitt’s left boot was smooth. McGreath was a real competitor in midfield and Keen took his goal well but then was unfortunate when Haycock made such a splendid save from his second period effort. Stewart was a willing runner in attack and skipper Adam Keeley worked untiringly across the midfield areas. 

MCGREATH WAS DENIED BY AN OFFSIDE FLAG...

Players worked hard in the warmth with no drinks breaks but goalscorer Keen limped off near the end and for Chelmsley’s sake it is hoped that his injury isn’t a bad one…

KEEN WAS STRUCK IN THE FACE AREA & SHAKEN BY A BAD BOUNCE OF THE BALL FROM THE HARD SURFACE...