vs Meppershall Jurassic Sunday

Devonshire Arms Line up:
GK: Steve Howe
RB: Trevor Marsh
CB: Steven Hall
CB: David Brooks
LB: Nick Hurd
CM: Richie Fenn
CM: Terry Hall
RM: Jason Williams
LM: Dan Fisk
CF: Shaun Murphy
CF: Matt Knights
Subs: Jeff Udoh, Arthur McMurray, Isaac Okyere, Andy Norbury

This was the first meeting between these two sides, Meppershall had made the slightly better start to the season but there was little in it, the conditions were testing at Jubilee Park, freezing conditions were sure to test both sides. There was a good turn out for the Devy today, competition for places had never been stronger...

The match started as a scrappy affair, neither side able to get a foothold on the game, it was evident already that most of the Meppershall attacks would come down the right, Trevor would have his work cut out today.

A good move down the right for the Devy saw Smurf beat his man and run into the area, both players stumble but surely Smurf is having his shirt pulled, the ref agrees, PENALTY, no complaints from the opposition. Richie places the ball and steps up, he rolls the ball straight down the middle, to everyone's surprise the keeper did not move at all, he simply bent down and picked up the ball, it was almost as if he knew where it was going, an opportunity missed by the Devy to take the lead early on.

Meppershall had been restricted to long range efforts so far, Stevie was marshalling the back line well, Terry and Richie were battling hard in midfield also, opportunities were few and far between for either side. But then, just as half time loomed the ball broke fortunately for the Meppershall midfielder, from the edge of the area he spotted Stevo off his line and chipped a sublime ball, over Steves head and under the bar, he took his chance well. 1-0 Meppershall.

The Devy had battled hard in the first half in difficult conditions, and probably didn't deserve to end the half on the wrong end of a 1-0 score line, but they knew that they had to try harder in the second half if they were to over turn the deficit.

Half time

Another rousing team talk from Steve was hopefully the impetuous the Devy needed to step it up, there were no changes at half time, but substitutions were to be forthcoming if the performance didn't improve.

The Devy were looking better at the start of the second half, J and Dan were making more runs from midfield, and Matty was playing the ball on to Smurf at every opportunity... Surely they would craft something this half.

But it was Meppershall who were creating more, another break from deep saw them increase their lead, the ball played out onto the left, a slide rule pass which beat Nick, the winger made no mistake, beating Steve in goal with a first time shot, another very good finish. 2-0 Meppershall.

The Devy heads had dropped slightly, they were creating very little up front and were making unforced errors all over the park. This was clearly noticed by the manager who decided to make a change, Isaac came on for Dan, Terry then moved out onto the left, Isaac took up his normal place in the middle... Moments later and Isaacs morning had come to an abrupt end, his troublesome hamstring had once again forced him to crawl from the pitch, he was hastily replaced by Andy, who himself has just returned from a month on the sidelines. Andy slotted in at centre back and Stevie moved into midfield.

Stevie and Richie were fighting well in midfield, battling for every ball, Matty and Smurf were dropping deeper to help out the midfield. Just as things were starting to look up a long clearance from the defence saw the striker up against Trevor on the edge of the area, he dummied one way and slotted the ball into the net from outside the area, another good finish and surely that was enough to take the points.. 3-0 Meppershall.

The Devy had been taught a lesson in finishing today, Meppershall had few opportunities but had taken them well, in contrast the Devy had not created any clear cut opportunities... But no sooner than things looked very bad than the Devy gave themselves a lifeline, a good run from Stevie down the right saw a deep cross, it went over everyone except for Smurf at the back post, he nodded it in, a good cross from Stevie and a good finish by Smurf. 3-1 Meppershall.

The Devy had their heads up now, Andy and Brooks were pushing forward regularly and opportunities were being created. A series of corners lead another goal for the Devy, Stevie took it from the right, just as it looked like it was eluding everyone Matty got to the ball at the far post, he directed his header well, into an open net, another well taken goal. 3-2 Meppershall.

Could the Devy come back from three goals down? Some good attacking play was creating chance after chance, with only minutes left the Devy won a free kick on the edge of the area, Stevie curled it in and the keeper looked like he had it, but the bounced up, Matty and Brooks were closing in but somehow the Meppershall defence scrambled it clear, they had soaked up the pressure well and hung on for their two points, the Devy had fought back well from three goals down but should never have found themselves in that position to begin with, the whole team were going to have to learn the simple things if they were to turn to get some wins under their belt...

Final Score - Meppershall Jurassic 3 - 2 Devonshire Arms

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