Snape Football Club

A windy sunday morning saw Snape host Holbrook, with the league unable to appoint a referee again Liam Moss took charge of the game.
After an early domination of possesion by Snape they took the lead with the through ball coming from Hammond which was met by Davidson who calmly rounded the keeper and slotted the ball home.
Minutes after Snape had taken the lead the back line started to drop and this was to Holbrook’s advantage as the ball was put into the net.
As the wind started to affect the game it became a scrapy affair until ten minues before half time in the holbrook box saw a delibrate handball, subsiquently the player received a yellow. Davidson stepped up and placed the ball to the top left of the keeper who made a terrific save in the Holdbrook net.
Minutes before half time a through ball found Hammond who calmly chipped the keeper to make the score at half time 2-1.

As the second half whissle was blown Snape knew it would be a struggle with the wind this half and this was proven within the first ten minutes. Snape had somehow survived the Holbrook storm, Hammond soon found himself 1on1 again but after a good initial save he found the net.
A quick fightback saw Holbrook score once again after a good finish by the striker after brushing aside two snape defenders.
On 80 minutes the ball arrived at the feet of Coull who with the outside of his foot beat the keeper a terrific goal and 6 in 5 for him.
With moments to go in the game Holbrook found a 3rd which left a difucult last two minutes for Snape but they held on.

Snape Team
Ford, Clayton, T. Hammond, Canham, Church (30), Gibbons (60), Pooley, Davidson (85), O. Hammond, Coull, Copping. Subs: Thrower (30), Bloomfield (85), Samuels (60)
Mom: Owen Hammond

Snape FC v Capel Plough A

This was the first league Home game for Snape and Capel were the opposition who turned up with a bare 11. Unfortunately the league was unable to appoint a referee so therefore Ian Morphew took charge of the game.

The game started off poor for Snape, within the first ten minutes they were forced to make a substitution with Dan Morphew being replaced by Dave Coull after turning his ankle in warm up. After a disappointing start Snape fell behind after a mix up in the penalty area with Ford being beat at his near post. This was the second game in a row that Snape had conceded a cheap early goal.

Twenty minutes in Snape started to communicate more effectively and together with good possession Davidson and Copping were causing the Plough defence problems. After 30 minutes this paid off with Davidson receiving the ball out wide, cutting in the rasping a low drive past the Capel keeper.

At this stage the game started to stretch out with a fifteen minute blast of end to end football with possession equally split. It was Snape who took advantage of poor keeping and a defence error in the box with Coull slotting the ball home from two yards out in the 40^th minute.

This was encouraging to see from Snape who again had fought back in the first half after giving early momentum to Capel.

Half time Snape FC 2 v 1 Capel Plough A

The second half was underway to a good pace; Snape had a number of chances that were squandered with Coull hitting the post and Churchyard (the apple man) going close.

As the half continued Snape kept going deeper and deeper as a defensive line, and Capel started to mount pressure on the Snape back four. On a few occasions they had efforts but were unable to trouble “the monk” in the Snape goal, who had earlier complained of back ache and somehow believed he had broke a rib.

With 60 minutes played Snape’s right back Patrick “Burgertov” Gibbons broke down the right hand side delivered a poor cross, this was returned to him and he sweetly hit the ball with the outside of his right club which narrowly averted the capel goal.  Good job he missed because we would never hear the end of it!

Shortly after Snape made two substitutions Matt Bloomfield coming on for “Burgertov” and Billy Samuels for Jack Thrower.

After an uninspiring second half Snape again were undefeated and still had not conceded a second half goal. This was a better team performance and the first win for Snape in the league.

Final score Snape FC 2 v 1 Capel Plough A

Snape Team

Ford, Gibbons (70), Hammond, L.Hammond, Clayton, Moore, Thrower, Churchyard, Morphew (11), Davidson, Copping (captain). Subs – Coull (11), Samuels (72) Bloomfield (70) Man of the Match – Lewis Davidson

Referee – Ian Morphew 90/100

Claydon Greyhound 1 v 1 Snape FC

On leaving Snape we headed towards Otley College with lead car the drizzle van. On arrival we made the huge walk towards the dressing rooms and pitch. Both teams took to the pitch with Snape playing in blue and white and Claydon in yellow and black. Snape knew this would be a challenging first league game; Claydon had previously scored 11 goals in their two games and were top. Snape had yet to play a game in the league so far.
It must be said Claydon made a bright start in the first 20 minutes and would have been rewarded with a couple of goals if it was not for Allan “the monk” Ford, who was making his first appearance in goal for Snape. Unfortunately in the 25th minute the ball came out wide and with the left back stranded, Claydon took the lead with a good finish by the winger which went in off the post.

Snape knew from now on it would be a struggle, but it was encouraging with 20 minutes of flat out pressure testing the Greyhound’s defence. It was in the 35th minute with good link up play between Dave Coull and Carl Church, with the latter providing the cross for Jack Thrower to tap the ball in from two yards. This was the sort of response Snape were looking for, with Jack running off for a lone celebration.
With five minutes to go before half time Snape were caught sleeping at the back and were lucky to get away with an effort from Claydon which was stopped by a combination of the post and Ford in the Snape goal.

Half time Claydon Greyhound 1 v 1 Snape FC

Snape took to the field in the second half with a couple of changes with goal scorer Thrower coming off for Billy Samuels and Tony Hammond coming on for Patrick Gibbons. Unfortunately Tony could not start the game after nursing a small injury known as a hangover.
The game had become more open in the first ten minutes with an enterprising style of end to end football. Lee Hammond was playing Exceptional in the middle for Snape with all the play generated through him. This was surprising after a change in the middle with Churchyard going upfront. (edited to Tims satisfaction)
It was in the 60th minute Snape created their first effort of the second half with Carl Church barely testing the Claydon Keeper.
With Reaction to Snape’s performance in the middle, Claydon stepped up there game and went close on a number of occasions. This fierce battle in the middle continued with Claydon replacing there centre midfielder, who was lucky to be on the pitch still after two poorly judged tackles. This meant Claydon changed the formation around and in the 75th minute saw a clash of heads between two players. This saw a pause in play for around 20 minutes as the Claydon player was left bleeding and waiting for an ambulance. Both teams done extremely well and cooperated together to try and think in the best heart of the injured player.
At this stage both managers were consulted by the referee and were asked whether they though the game should continue. The referee and both managers came to the conclusion they would start the game once the injured player had been met by the ambulance.
As tightness cramp had all ready been an issue for both teams, it was a struggle in the last 15 minutes and Claydon had numerous chances to put the game to bed but failed to do so. In the 83rd minute player- manger Moss put himself on to try and cure the tiredness in the centre of the park. The Whistle went for full time and after a controversial game Snape was relieved to get a point. A good performance from both teams especially the referee who done extremely well under the circumstances.
Final score Claydon Greyhound 1 v 1 Snape FC
Snape Team
Ford, Gibbons (45), Canham, Partington (83), Clayton, Church, L.Hammond, Churchyard, Thrower (45), Coull, Copping (captain). Subs – Moss (83), Samuels (45) T.Hammond (45)
Man of the Match – Lee Hammond

Referee – Tony Coulter 90/100

Match Report By: Liam Moss