SPORTING CLUB INKBERROW 0-4 RUSHALL OLYMPIC: THE REPORT + SCREENSHOTS WITH CAPTIONS...

 Olympic Strength Impresses At Inkberrow…

Sporting Club Inkberrow 0-4 Rushall Olympic…

The Mowdog’s thoughts…

A 1pm kick-off, a very hot afternoon and a dry, very hard playing surface didn’t auger well for a particularly useful workout for the two teams. However, the game was competitive, despite the heat and it was impressive how Rushall set about their task.

The guests seemed physically more robust than their hosts and it is to their credit that their harassment of home players in possession lasted throughout the encounter in such unsuitable weather conditions.

The many substitutions at the second period drinks-break made no difference to the script, for the result of the changes was like for like…

The domination was largely constant and really, Sporting created just three real goalscoring opportunities, as they were stalked, hassled and chased by the eager hunting down adopted by their visitors.

I had no indication of the identities of players, except that Inkberrow’s 8 was Nathan Benson, whom I recall from his days at Meadow Park. Consequently, my match commentary was awkward to do, having to use the numbers worn by players but I hope the coverage was at the very least acceptable to both clubs…

At least I picked up the goalscorers’ names later that evening from Rushall’s ‘X’ account…

Players who featured strongly…

The result of pre-season matches are, as teams are quick to assert, immaterial but I would suggest that all players want to win every contest and in Rushall’s case, it was very evident, as their style was riddled with effort, determination and ruthlessness.

Inkberrow really couldn’t get going and too many times, their possession was broken up quickly, despite the industry and creativity occasionally shown.

Certainly Olympic’s number 8, Alex Moore was busy and his grit forced the first goal, when he slid forth to intercept the home ‘keeper’s pass towards the Inkberrow number 2. Moore scrambled to his feet at inside-left and cleverly lifted a clipped left-foot shot from downtown, which soared over the back-peddling goalminder and nudged the underside of the crossbar on its way into the net. 

MOORE WANTS THE BALL...

...THEN CLIPS A SHOT...

...OVER THE GOALIE...

...FOR 0-1...

Moore’s left boot was instrumental at set-pieces too, so the position from which he scored was most favourable. One right-wing corner before the break was headed into the net at the far upright by Rushall’s 2 but the home goalie was adjudged to have been baulked by central striker Aaron Bishop and the effort was quickly disallowed.

RUSHALL'S 2 HEADS IN BUT BISHOP IS PENALISED...

A MOORE DELIVERY IS BEATEN OUT BY THE 'KEEPER...

The two Olympic central defenders were stout and confident throughout and little scope was offered to the more lithe Inkberrow forwards, although 10 did slip a shot wide and the Rushall ‘keeper deflected an angled effort by 11 away for a corner before the interval.

INKBERROW'S 10 DRAGS AN EFFORT WIDE...

The full-backs 2 and 3 for Olympic were regularly in space wide on the touchlines which meant that Inkberrow’s players seemed guarded and too often were unable to intercept passes and win a positive share of ball possession.

Inkberrow’s 11 was certainly rapid and tricky but the service afforded him was rare and he headed too high from a good position after half-time for Sporting’s only other worthwhile attempt at goal.

Rushall’s 4 was a constantly effective competitor, 7 and 10 put in decent shifts but 11 and Bishop were generally defended well enough by the Inkberrow back-line.

Inkberrow’s pressed players were often inhibited but the strongly built Benson did show a few neat touches during the match.

The other Rushall goals and several missed chances… 

Before the break, Bishop’s flick was saved well by the home ‘keeper, springing right, Olympic’s 2 nodded another Moore corner over the target, then after the recess 7 broke into the Sporting penalty-box, only to be denied by the outrushing goalkeeper.

RUSHALL'S 7 IS DENIED BY THE GOALMINDER...

RUSHALL'S 2 HEADS TOO HIGH...

Soon, 10’s low pass across the 18 yard line was hammered low and left-footed into the bottom right corner of goal by Bishop for 0-2, before it was suddenly 0-3 when two replacements combined.

BISHOP SHOOTS...

...& IT'S 0-2...

14 slipped the ball right for Roddy McGlinchey to strike low and powerfully on the half-volley from 15 yards and the ball streaked into the left corner of the net.

14 ASSISTS MCGLINCHEY...

...WHO RAPS IN GOAL 3...

The replacement 9, Jamie Soule, then became the main threat for Rushall and the last four goal chances all fell to him. He was denied twice by the advancing goalkeeper, then clipped an effort too high, before substitute 16 squared a pass from the right for him to convert almost apologetically, just as the final whistle sounded. 

16'S ASSIST...

...& SOULE MAKES IT 0-4...

THE INKBERROW GOALKEEPER SAVES FROM RUSHALL'S BISHOP, THEN... 

...SOULE, ...

The final words…

I received a hearty welcome from the ladies at the pay-table in the ‘watchers’ car-park’, although it was almost like turning up to vote alfresco in a local election. They certainly needed some shade, maybe an umbrella?

Good to chat with Ian Long, the Rushall manager, although maybe I asked too many questions, for which I now apologise.

Inkberrow coach Umit Eminoglu waved my way too, for I have seen him play a number of times. His ability on the ball has always been a joy to watch and I wondered whether he would make a cameo appearance late in the game…

Not to be…

After the break the home forwards did rush the visiting defenders more when they traded passes but when goals two and three went in, a slightly dispirited Inkberrow were forced to labour on to the finish.

SAFE CATCH BY THE INKBERROW CUSTODIAN...

I enjoyed the afternoon, especially when a slight breeze got up but for someone who hates hats, I wore my Kansas City Chiefs cap throughout for the first time ever, at any event… 

However, I still hate hats…