Acklam Football Club

ACKLAM FC v NUNTHORPE ATH

Sunday 25th March 2007

 

Acklam’s match this week was at home against Nunthorpe in the semi final of
the TJFA challenge cup.

Nunthorpe started the game the better side and had Acklam on the back foot from kick off. This resulted in a number of attacks for Nunthorpe. A ball through Acklam’s midfield and defence found a Nunthorpe forward in space, but Joe Parkin in the Acklam goal did enough to pressurise him and the ball went past the post for a goal kick.
On 10 minutes an almost identical move saw the same Nunthorpe striker put the ball past the Acklam keeper, this time it went into the net for Nunthorpe’s first goal. Acklam eventually got a foot on the ball and sharp passing saw them put Nunthorpe under pressure. With 20 minutes gone Jordan Wales found space on Acklam’s right and his pinpoint cross into the six yard box was met by Sandy Davison at the far post to bring Acklam level.
After a shaky start Acklam were now in the game and both sides created half chances. Another Nunthorpe through ball caught Acklam’s defence napping, Acklams keeper came out of his area and his attempted clearance struck a Nunthorpe player, the loose ball rebounded into the area causing panic in the Acklam defence, another attempted clearance struck the Acklam keeper and rebounded into an empty net for an unfortunate own goal. From the resulting kick off both teams battled it out in midfield before the referee blew for half time.

Acklam 1 v Nunthorpe 2.

Acklam started the second half stronger and forced the pace, the first ten minutes were spent almost entirely in the Nunthorpe half, chances were created but Nunthorpe’s strong backline withstood the pressure. As the half wore on Nunthorpe’s midfield started to see more of the ball, Acklam’s midfield and defence now had to withstand the pressure. Their
resistance was broken when the Nunthorpe midfielder picked up the ball in Acklam’s half and unleashed an unstoppable 30 yard shot into the roof of Acklam’s goal.
Acklam tried to fight back from this setback but a strong Nunthorpe side had the upper hand.
Late in the game Nunthorpe scored a fourth goal when another pass from Nunthorpe’s midfield found their striker who rounded the advancing Acklam keeper, and fired the ball into the net.
A hard fought match ended with disappointment for Acklam as the referee
blew for full time with the score

Acklam 1 v Nunthorpe 4.

Well done to Nunthorpe who deserved the win. 

Acklam pushed a strong, skilful Nunthorpe side all the way in this exciting match. Nunthorpe’s strength and pace was the difference between the two sides. If Acklam had got the goal to draw level in the early stages of the second half the outcome might have been different, over the full game Nunthorpe deserved the win although the 4-1 scoreline was a little bit cruel on an Acklam side that worked their socks off.

Good luck to Nunthorpe in the final 

M.O.M. – Sandy Davison – an excellent performance despite being played out of his more familiar right back slot. The goal capped a hard working performance.