vs Royal Oak Roxton

Devonshire Arms Line up:
GK: Jeff Udoh
RB: Johnny Scotland
CB: Andy Norbury
CB: David Brooks
LB: Nick Hurd
CM: Stevie Hall
CM: Isaac Okyere
RM: Terry Hall
LM: Dan Fisk
CF: Jason Williams
CF: Matt Knights
Subs: Steve Howe, Jonathan Gibson

This was the first game of 2008, a huge game for everyone involved, the Devonshire had won their last game in a hard fought battle and Roxton were floundering at the foot of the division desperate for a break.

And if the pitch was anything to go by they'd just got one, as bumpy as ever and with mole hills to add, the normal smooth flowing football of the Devonshire may have to be changed to cope with the terrain.

The game started well enough for both teams, a very scrappy affair, as Roxton came forward early on Andy stood on the ball and it bobbled to a Roxton striker, he steadied himself and took aim, the ball eluded both Brooks and Jeff in goal, 1-0 Roxton.

The Devy had been dealt an early blow and would have to dig deep to fight back on this pitch, as the Devonshire attacked Terry had a chance, his low hard shot was blocked by the keeper but the ball rebounded straight to Terry again, with the goal at his mercy he blasted over, it was a chance he knows he should have taken. Roxton rallied and pushed forward in numbers, a good through found the striker one on one with Jeff, he scored, a shame as the Devy were coming back into it, 2-0 Roxton.

It was individual mistakes that were making the difference today, Jeff was doing his best in goal but the defence were struggling, Johnny was playing his first full game in months and others were looking like they'd had too much turkey.

There were further chances for the Devy however and several balls through the middle saw Jason burst through with his pace only to be denied by the onrushing keeper. J was also later to be denied by what looked like handball. A goal mouth scramble ended with J connecting with a header only a few yards out, the ball seemed to be heading in, until the Roxton defender handled it on the line. It was not spotted by the referee, things were not running for the Devy, he should have seen red for that.

Just as things looked like improving Roxton pushed forward again, Brooks found three playing bearing down on him, a good cross field ball flew into the net via the strikers boot, 3-0 Roxton

A poor performance from the Devy, could the second half get any worse?

Half Time

Steve did his best to gee the team up at half time, things would have to improve this half, and with the strikers at the better end of the pitch maybe they would.

J and Matty were doing there best but they didn't have much quality to feed off, on this pitch through balls were difficult and any balls over the top were being cleared by the taller defenders, Dan and Terry were doing well and trying to make an impression but struggling to get into the game. Isaac and Stevie however were battling well and winning the ball when it mattered.

A corner to Roxton produced their fourth goal, the ball bounced around in the area, the Roxton striker had a shot on target, Brooks stuck out a leg and deflected the ball past the unfortunate Jeff in goal, 4-0 Roxton.

Surely this day could get no worse for the Devonshire, 4-0 down, they would have to improve, which they did, if only slightly. A few tactical changes saw Isaac go up front and Matty into midfield, a good ball forward saw Isaac breaking through, the ball went round the keeper but Isaac could not, obstructed as he looked like he was going to score, PENALTY, Stevie rapidly becoming the regular penalty taker stepped up, no problem a well taken spot kick, 4-1 Roxton.

It was all the Devonshire now, a number of chances presented themselves, but the Devy weren't taking them, but another goal came from the left wing, Dan cut inside and produced a fantastic shot, curling over the keeper and in the far top corner, a great goal. 4-2 Roxton.

Substitution, Steve on and would go in goal, Jeff up front, Matty at the back and Andy would leave the pitch. The Devy were now playing an attacking 4-3-3 formation.

The Devy pushed more and more, they won a corner on the right, just as it was about to be taken the ref spotted some foul play, Stevie had been slapped in the face, a red card for the offender and another penalty. There was surely some sort of intimidation there but only the retaliation was spotted. Stevie stepped up again, the keeper gets a hand to this one but it's too powerful, the comeback is well and truly on. 4-3 Roxton.

It was nearly a dream comeback when the game saw probably the best move of the match. A neat passing move saw the ball arrived to J on the edge of the box, he delayed his pass before superbly sliding the ball through to Johnny who with only the keeper to beat from an angle saw his powerful shot go just wide. A great chance to snatch a point, it was so close.

With time running out the Devy have another chance, a free kick on the edge of the area, Stevie takes it and it loops just over, a shame as this was now how the match would finish. The Devy were poorly represented again today with a lot of players letting them down, a poor first half followed by a better second, but not good enough.

Final Score - Royal Oak Roxton 4 - 3 Devonshire Arms

To report a correction of information or to send any comments or reports please email info@devonshirearmsfc.co.uk