Clarets back to winning ways

Pinchbeck Vs The Clarets, 18th January , KO 12:00 at Knights Street, Pinchbeck

Team Sheet: Nat Manders Jones, Callum Cawthorn, Ewan McCracken, Isaac Flemming, Sam Bell, Dan Malcolmson, George Cushen, Owen Jacobs, Matt Holland. Subs: Goldsmith, Archie Parkinson

Result: Pinchbeck 2 – 3 Clarets
This was the third time this season the two teams had met and the last time these two side met at Knights Street it was a closely fought contest. At Outgang Road a different story with the Clarets romping home with a 10-0 win.

Pinchbeck a side with physical presence on the pitch, the Clarets turning up after suffering their first defeat of the season. Pinchbeck coming off a run with two straight wins and feeling confident. How would the game play out?

The Clarets started the proceedings on what was a very cold and frosty day, the ground just playable from the overnight frost. The Clarets settled early and took control of the game. The Clarets without their regular Captain James Russell was lead capably by Assistant Captain Callum Cawthorn.

Within 90 seconds of the game starting the Clarets were awarded a throw-in, on the right just passed the halfway line. Isaac threw the ball in to play where George Cushen nodded the ball on to Dan Malcolmson, with his back to the Pinchbeck goal, Dan Malcolmson turned his player and crossed the ball into the path of Sam Bell who was making a run into the box from left wing.
The ball landed perfectly for Sam as without breaking stride he hit the ball towards goal.

The Pinchbeck keeper stood no chance the ball burst between the uprights and stroked the back of the net as it settled. Goal, 0-1 Clarets.

That really set the tone for the first half, the Clarets through the whole team showed to be too strong for Pinchbeck, dominating possession in all parts of the pitch, this was a first half performance that showed off the passing capability of the team and was by far one of the top 5 passing displays of the season to date.

For all of their possession and despite having the chances the Clarets just could not put the ball into the net, pinchbeck’s blushes either saved by the woodwork or by the hands, and leg of their keeper. As the first half whistle blew the Clarets should have been 10 goals to the good and out of sight.

Just before the half-time whistle Isaac Fleming suffered an injury and was replaced at right back by Joe Goldsmith.
Half Time, 0-1 Clarets.

The Clarets started the second half under no illusion the game and the 3 points available was not secured. It was a nervy start by the Clarets which saw Pinchbeck enter the Clarets half, the attack diffused by the Clarets defence.

10minutes in and out of the blue, a Pinchbeck player who was positioned just after the half way line in the Clarets half launched a high ball towards the Clarets goal. The ball looped over the Clarets keeper and dipped just under the cross bar and bounced on the white line and settled in back of the net. Pinchbeck equalised, the score now 1-1.

This did not distract the Clarets it just made the team’s objectives harder to achieve, and on 55minutes Owen Jacobs from receiving a pass from George Cushen entered the Pinchbeck penalty area, only to be uprooted by the defender. The referee without hesitation blew and pointed to the spot.

A lot of players all up for taking the penalty to get on the score sheet and Captain Callum Cawthorn settled on leading goal scorer, Ewan McCracken to step up. After placing the ball on the spot and positioning himself, Ewan approached the ball and struck it goal-wards.

The Pinchbeck keeper could get know where near it, goal, 1-2 Clarets.

5minutes later the Clarets on the attack again and Ewan found himself unmarked in the Pinchbeck box with the ball at his feet. Ewan wasted no time in executing a low hard strike towards goal. Ewan got his rewards for his efforts and put the Clarets firmly in charge and heading for the 3 points, goal 1-3 Clarets.

Throughout the remainder of the game all the players did their job well, Matt Holland although one of the smaller players for the Clarets had an outstanding game, George Cushen who for the second game in a row was playing out of position was again on top form.

With 10minutes to go Dan Malcolmson went down heavy under a challenge from a Pinchbeck midfield player. Dan carried off and was replaced by Archie Parkinson who filled in at right back and Joe Goldsmith moved to right wing, with George going into centre midfield.

Straight after this commotion and change Pinchbeck found themselves in a rare attack on the Clarets goal, Matt Holland stopped the first phase of the attack but unfortunately went to ground where on the second phase the ball hit his arm.

The referee blew the whistle, penalty. Pinchbeck stepped up and although Nat Manders Jones got a hand to the strike, the power in which it was struck meant he could not stop it hitting the back of the net. Goal to Pinchbeck, 2-3 Clarets.

The penalty was taken so close to full-time it did not allow Pinchbeck to gain any momentum, the final whistle blew, the Clarets securing 3 points and back to winning ways.

Man of the Match: George Cushen