Salmon Leap: An Incomplete History pt2

"Keep Your Arms Down Blue"

Reserve Match Report (by Nobby Rau)

Molly Maguires vs Salmon Leap

Match Report - Thursday 28th April 2005 - Kick off 9pm

“You’re too shy, shy, hush eye to eye” sang Kajagoogoo and Mollys faced the start of the game this week a couple of men short as reading the teamsheet managed to get the better of a few of the squad for the second time this season. A timely appearance by the old Stanley Matthews, in the form of Don meant we could field a solitary sub, which was always going to be handy against Salmon Leap. Rainy, blustery conditions put pay to any good intentions that other potential subs may have had.

Leap were full of themselves as we prepared to kick off, perhaps forgetting the close opening match of the season – and Mollys set the early pace playing some well organised incisive football – taking the lead with a smartly taken own goal following pressure from Nobby. Gareth was our obvious outlet from the start, beating his marker time after time throughout the game, and his early goals helped create an early 3-1 lead to the obvious annoyance of Salmon Leap and their entourage.

The first half saw Mollys work their socks off to contain the skilful Leap players. Leo proving a more than capable keeper, not only making the spectacular saves, but showing good positioning sense to stop the horrible soft goals we hate so much. Don put in some crunching tackles – sometimes standing on the ball and pushing their players away. We were later to hear that a swiftly delivered elbow was retribution for an earlier effort to take the Kitman out of the game, but it wasn’t a great surprise having seen Don virtually wrestle a Leap attacker to the ground on the stroke of half time. Steve was similarly vexing the opposition, showing a growing range of skills (sometimes a little too close to our goal for comfort)

The second half started with Mollys in the lead which seemed to be closing from the start. Salmon Leap bagged a cluster of goals, with Mollys mustering a goal here and there through Gareth – but whilst it felt as if we were being overrun Mollys maintained a narrow lead as the game was reaching its end. This was greatly helped by a fortunate sin binning for swearing at the ref with Mollys making the extra man count for once, to score a couple of goals. The composure on the ball in the four minute period was in stark contrast to the usual shambles in these situations. Don was unlucky to see a shot worthy of Hotshot Hamish thump the wall inches past the post

The controversial zonal marking system held up well until the final few minutes, when Leap pressure finally paid off and an 8-6 lead was overturned. Leo’s good goalkeeping sense deserted him on a couple of occasions under a fierce barrage – gifting a couple of goals with some poor distribution, one of which was literally thrown to Leap player closest to the goal. Another shot struck the backboard and bounced agonisingly out of Leo’s reach to be tucked away from the edge of the D and as the ball fizzed around our half it seemed as if every attack would end in our goal.

In the end a sterling performance was let down by sheer exhaustion as Salmon Leap made their fitness (and full compliment of subs) count.

Man of the Match – Gareth

Final Score 8 – 10

Dean (1), Don, Gareth (6), Leo, Nobby, Steve. Own goals (1)