Weary Pock Wilt Against League Leaders

06 Apr 2013

After the high of their midweek extra time semi final win it was back to league action last Saturday for Pock as they embarked on their final seven league games of this season. For this one they had a particularly tough one against the current Humber Premier division leaders Sculcoates and with several players again unavailable, it was a battle weary Town team that took to the field.

Scullys almost made Pock pay inside the first minute as a flick on saw a shooting chance fly over the bar and this set the tone for the opening period as Town found it hard to get out of first gear. With Scullys quicker to the ball and pressing Town all over the pitch, Pock found themselves pressed back with their back four of Stu Lawson, Craig Hargreaves, James Saltmer and emergency centre back Ben Alport all forced into plenty of action.

Pock threatened briefly when a James Haigh cross was spilled by the Scullys keeper on 17 minutes but this was a temporary respite from the defensive work being done as Pocks passing was again poor on the day.

A Scullys throw in routine on the half hour set up a good save from Luke McNaughton in the Pock goal, getting down smartly to his right and with Lawson clearing another cross from just under his bar, Scullys were piling the pressure on. This told on 37 minutes when Pock were guilty of more poor defending from another throw in and this allowed former Pock player James Rudd the space to fire an 18 yard shot through a defenders legs and into the bottom corner for the lead at the break.

Pock started the second half where they had left off, slowly and pressed back by the home side and good forward movement opened up the Town defence and presented Scullys with a shooting chance that was pulled wide inside the first 2 minutes. Led by excellent central midfield performances from Kev Goodwin and MOM Lewis Cant though, Town worked hard to deny the home side space but found their own passing game lacking.

Town gradually got their attacking game together and a left wing run from Martyn Day set up a cross for Dan Boneham that Scullys struggled to clear. With the game very open, Scullys wasted a couple of good chances, with brave Town defending and good goalkeeping from McNaughton keeping it at 1-0 but just when it looked as if the home side would get frustrated by Pock's defending a back pass took a horrible bobble and saw McNaughton miskick his attempted clearance straight to Gawthorpe.

He slotted home from 6 yards out to double Scullys lead on 65 minutes and although Pock improved slightly with the introduction of Tom Reay and Alex Brent, Hargreaves saw a couple of good shooting chances fly wide to ensure a blank in front of goal for Pock.

This ensured a disapointing afternoon for Town as they dropped a place to 8th but the lads deserve credit for sticking to the task and making Scullys work really hard for their win. Several players were feeling the after effects of a long season, with Haigh joining the ranks of the injured at half time and Town will have to make the most of their resources to rest players up for the run in to their cup final.

Richard Bower

<< Back to Club News

Category: Humber Premier League

Tags: League MatchMatch ReportsHumber PremierSeason 2012/13Richard Bower