Acklam Football Club

 

Acklam FC v Woodthorpe Wanderers

Sunday 18th February 2007

North Riding Cup 

 

After a break of three weeks Acklam lined up against Woodthorpe Wanderers in round three of the NRFA cup. The rain from the previous week meant the pitch was heavy, but from kick off both sides resisted the temptation to hoof the ball. The early stages of the game were even with both sides passing the ball around well.

Good football from both sides created chances, but hard working defences and midfields prevented clear-cut chances. Acklam’s attacks led to two corners but these were easily dealt with by Woodthorpe’s towering centre half.

Woodthorpe’s best chance saw their centre forward shoot from the edge of the area, the ball flew past Joe Parkin in the Acklam goal but fortunately for Acklam it missed the goal by a whisker.

The half progressed with both teams continuing to play good football, both sides midfields worked hard to create chances for their attackers at one end, whilst also helping out in defence at the other.

The breakthrough for Acklam came on twenty minutes, a hopeful punt into the area by Liam Hogg caused confusion in the Woodthorpe defence, Josh McDermott was first to react to bundle the ball in for the first goal of the game. In a game full of skilful football it was ironic that the first goal was created by the first ‘hit and hope’ shot of the match.

The goal gave Acklam confidence and they now had more of the ball, their midfield and forward line took control of the game, but sterling work from Woodthorpe’s defence and midfield prevented Acklam from going further ahead.

A very entertaining first half drew to a close with the score Acklam 1 v Woodthorpe Wanderers 0. 

The second half started in much the same manner as the first, with both sides continuing to pass the ball. It was Woodthorpe though who upped the tempo and took the game to Acklam whose defence was now starting to come under pressure. Woodthorpe’s possession eventually told when ten minutes into the half clever play from their midfield created an opening, the ball found it’s way to the Woodthorpe midfielder who had found space on the edge of the penalty area, he fired an unstoppable shot into Acklam’s goal to bring the scores level.

The goal gave Woodthorpe confidence and they now had control of the game, Acklam’s defence came under pressure and their midfield battled to stay in the game, however they couldn’t stop Woodthorpe from going ahead. Five minutes after their first goal another shot from the edge of the area rattled the Acklam crossbar, unfortunately for Acklam it was the Woodthorpe forward who was first to the rebound and he duly despatched the ball into the net for their second goal.

Acklam rallied from this setback but Woodthorpe still had the upper hand. A barnstorming last five minutes saw Acklam rally and create chances but Woodthorpe weren’t to be denied and their defence held firm. 

Final Score Acklam 1 v  Woodthorpe Wanderers 2 

This was a very entertaining match played in a good spirit. Both teams played good football on a heavy pitch, every player can be proud of themselves.

Acklam can take great credit from the game they made a very skilful, well organised team fight all the way, if they had managed to get a second goal before half time the outcome might have been different, however it is no disgrace to lose to a side the calibre of Woodthorpe.

Well done to Woodthorpe they are a very good side and ran out worthy winners, good luck in future rounds. 

M.O.M. – Joe Stubley – Another hard working performance in the middle of the park, again he covered every blade of grass.