Freshfield 0-1 Koronet Royals
13th April 2003
Another experimental formation, another unnecessary defeat. In their last game before the Tom Rimmer Cup Final, Freshfield wasted the opportunity to play a meaningful competitive match by playing an unorthodox and unfamiliar 3-2-5 formation, and as a result gave a spirited Koronet Royals an unlikely lifeline to 1st Division safety. Cream, who may well be relegated as a result of this result, would not have looked on with pleasure. Of course Freshfield didn't really have anything to play for (though this result means that they finish below Running Horses in 8th position in the league), and throwing caution to the wind in the last game of the season has provided some entertaining and enjoyable games in the past. Somehow, however, there was little enjoyment in this fixture.
Richie Kemp, more Luther Blissett than Alan Shearer, spearheaded a front five who found difficulty in operating as an effective unit. Of course, an unfamiliar line-up does not excuse lack of application, but the game had a surreal feel to it throughout, last experienced by this club when losing to 8-man Blowick all those years ago. It was a game that Freshfield could have won and should have won, but never looked likely to win. Playing with a strong wind behind them in the first half, Koronet moved the ball forwards quickly and created a number of good goalscoring opportunities. But they are the league's lowest scorers and it was easy to see how, as their chances were mercifully squandered. Freshfield created little at the other end, though Chris Jones did have an effort cleared off the line. Only Simon Richards looked as if he had a cup final place to play for, as he kept running and played the ball simply and effectively.
The call to play a proper line-up for the second-half was resisted, and the performance as well as the formation remained unchanged. Koronet scored with 15 minutes gone, and the remainder of the half saw some pressure from Freshfield, none of which seemed to have the cutting-edge required. Just after Kemp was replaced Freshfield started playing the type of long-ball game that his physical presence would have welcomed. There are 3 weeks to the Cup Final; that should just be long enough to erase the memory of this performance.
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Team
Nigel Power |
Subs Not Used
Manager's Man of the Match
Player's Man of the Match
Supporter's Man of the Match
Attendance |