vs Advantage

Devonshire Arms Line up:
GK: Jeff Udoh
RB: Johnny Scotland
CB: Andy Norbury
CB: David Brooks
LB: Trevor Marsh
CM: Isaac Okyere
CM: Richie Fenn
RM: Jason Williams
LM: Terry Hall
CF: Shaun Murphy
CF: Steven Hall
Subs: Tom Quinn, Mike Davis, Nick Hurd, Dan Fisk

The Devys season was well under way and with 3 straight wins they were looking for another victory today, they were playing Advantage, a team they'd met before and beat 3-1 in the final game of last season. The Devonshire Arms line up was a familiar one, with some regular faces being kept out of the side.

There was a strong wind today and this was sure to have an affect on the game, could the Devy play their normal passing game or would they be forced to the long ball? Time would tell.

The match started well enough with the Devy enjoying some good spells of possession, the referee wasn't a shy one and the cards were flying around early on, Advantage picked up 3 yellow cards in the first and were looking like they'd be lucky to finish with eleven men.

Advantage won 3 consecutive corners and the Devy were looking panicked, they just didn't seem organised enough, Andy and Brooks would have to try and regain control at the back.

The Devonshire Arms won a throw on the left, Isaac hurled it into the box and the ball was cleared back out to him, he dummied one player before putting in a low difficult cross, Smurf met it with a brave diving header, it beat the keeper at his near post, excellent work. 1-0 Devonshire Arms.

The Devy were playing some good football and got rewarded for their early possession, there was an underlying tension in this game with private battles going on all over the pitch, it felt like things could boil over at any time.

Advantage were pushing forward with more intent now and it wasn't long before they made a breakthrough, another corner was won and the cross put into the near post, the Advantage striker out jumped Richie at the near post and beat Jeff, 1-1.

The Devonshire Arms were now holding onto the draw, the wind was against them this half and there was some good defending from Trevor and Johnny, it was needed if the Devy were going to make it to half time at 1-1.

Half time

The Devy were more optimistic this half, they had the wind and hoped that would help them regain their advantage... over Advantage!

Unfortunately they were about to need more help than the wind alone, Advantage were pushing forward again, a corner was cleared to the edge of the area and a powerful low shot went through a crowd of players and beat Jeff, the ball nestled in the bottom corner, 2-1 Advantage Arms.

Things were to get worse still as Advantage broke forward, they surged into the penalty area, Isaac went for a tackle, missed the ball and got the man, penalty!!! Advantage were about to take the advantage once more, coolly slotting the penalty away to further their lead. 3-1 Advantage Arms

As if things weren't bad enough Terry was booked before the penalty for booting the ball away in frustration.

Terry was soon to be involved again, a loose ball on the left touchline saw Terry and two Advantage players going for the ball, shameful scenes were soon to follow as one of the Advantage players was seen to throw punches at Terry, a small scuffle followed and the referee issued two yellow cards, one to each player involved, this was of course Terrys second, and he was off, the Devonshires first red card of the season, how the referee did not send off the Advantage player only he will know.

In the protest that followed Stevie was also booked.

The Devonshire Arms were struggling now, Smurf moved to play the left wing and Stevie was left to play on his own up front.

Time for some fresh legs for the Devy, Mike was bought on for Isaac, Nick came on for his first game of the season in place of Johnny and Dan came on for Andy late on.

Advantage were constantly pushing forward and got another goal, a break from midfield saw four players dive in for the ball, unfortunately for the Devy, Advantage got the final touch. 4-1 Advantage.

The Devy hadn't given up and should have had a second late on, Stevie was one on one with the keeper and tried to dink it over him, unfortunately it was more of a dunk and the ball fell into the keepers hands, nothing was going the Devys way today.

This was a match that could have seen the Devonshire Arms go top, but instead, they would have to live to fight another day.

Final Score - Devonshire Arms 1 – 4 Advantage

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