vs North End Astros (CUP)

Devonshire Arms Line up:
GK: Steve Howe
RB: Nathan
CB: Mike Davis
CB: David Brooks
LB: Nick Hurd
CM: Isaac Okyere
CM: Richie Fenn
RM: Jeff Udoh
LM: Dan Fisk
CF: Jason Williams
CF: Matt Knights
Subs: None

This was the second time this season that these two teams had met, the first encounter resulted in a 4-1 win for the Devy, but would today be so easy? The conditions were rainy and windy, traditional weather for this time of year, and with 8 players missing for numerous reasons how would the Devy fair this time around...

Nathan and Matty were making their first starts of the season and were looking to impress....

The game started well, it was a quick paced game with the ball going from end to end rapidly, Richie and Isaac were putting up a battling display in midfield, the ball spent most of it's time in the middle of the park so their stamina would be put to test once more. A ball through down the left for the Astros went past Nathan and the attacker was in the box one on one with Stevo, he goes down under a challenge, the home crowd roar for a penalty, for a moment it looks like the ref has given it, but wait, he's booking the attacker for diving, in what seemed to be the correct decision, judging by the broad smile on his face, a despicable act and one that fully deserved a yellow card.

The first half was one of few chances for either side, a Devy corner was played out and a great header back through by Jeff saw Jason one on one with the keeper but the ball just rolled away from him, a good chance, probably Devys best of the first half, Dan, Matty, Jason and Brooks saw shots go wide or over but there were very few attempts on target.

Just before half time a Devy corner fell to Nick in the edge of the area, his goalbound drive hit an Astros player on what appeared to be his arm, no penalty, unfortunate, but the ref was unsighted.

Half time

After another good team talk by Steve and the Devy were up for the second half, firmly holding the belief that if they could stay tight at the back then the goal would come, this game was a tight one and it could be that just the one goal would be enough, but at the moment penalties were a possibility, time would tell.

Devy were pushing forward well in the second half, some good running from Dan and Jason was opening up the defence more and the chances were coming, if not clear cut, they were probing. It was one such chance that produced the first goal, a long throw from the right was launched into the box by Isaac, a good flick on by Matty and the ball pinged around like it was on a pinball machine, finally the ball fell to Brooks with the goal at his mercy, he stabbed it home from 5 yards, he couldn't miss, the jubilation was clear for all to see, the Devy had the lead and would do their best to cling onto it. Devonshire Arms 1-0.

The Astros switched to 4-3-3 after going behind, Mike, Brooks, Nick and Nathan would have their work cut out to keep a clean sheet, Stevo in goal would also have to be aware, without having a great deal to do he would surely be called into action, and sure enough he was, Astros were pushing further and further forward, a good ball down the left beat Nick and the pacey winger struck a hard powerful shot beyond the diving Stevo.... 1-1

The Devys defence was constantly under pressure from the moment they scored, the ball was coming back to them again and again, injuries to Mike, Nick and Nathan also saw the Devy reduced to ten men for brief periods of the game. A good ball from Dan presented Jason with a chance against the keeper an awkward bounce meant he couldn't direct the ball goalwards, one of the Devys best chances. With Astros constantly pushing they deservedly took the lead, a corner floated in saw a header from the 'back stick' and it was a goal, poor marking had been our downfall again. 2-1 Astros.

The Devy needed to get going again, they were only 2-1 down and could easily get back in this game... With both centre backs pushing forward they were really pressing, Brooks had a run on the edge of the area and was bought down, the resulting free kick saw Richie blast it hard and low, but the wall stood firm, a good opportunity but with not long left chances were running out.

The Astros weren't without chances however, and a series of corners lead to their third goal, a very good corner swung right into the near post, Nathan did his best to clear but it skimmed off the top of his head and went in, unfortunate, Nathan had an excellent debut and was unlucky with this one. 3-1 Astros.

The Devy battled well for long periods today but with so many players out it was going to be tough, good performances from Nathan, Dan, Richie and Matty weren't enough to see off the Astros, the cup run was over, now let's concentrate on the league.

Final Score - Devonshire Arms 1 - 3 North End Astros

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