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Match Report
Wednesday 11th May
Old Parmiterians 1st XI | 1 - 0 | Old Hamptonians |
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LOB Cup (A) KO 7:30 PM
Referees: Manager: |
Team:
Goals: Man of the Match: |
Stevens goal wins 2nd Cup
Old Parmiterian�s penultimate game of the season was undoubtably their toughest test, of a superb campaign.They faced an Old Hamptonians team, who had just been crowned AFC Premier Champions. Neither team took advantage of the excellent playing surface for the first 20 minutes, with the ball spending more time in the air than the ground, as both sides seemed to be a little nervous as they got to grips with one another. Both defences worked hard in this time, with the midfield often circumnavigated. Hamps had the first clear-cut chance when a neat passing move allowed their number 10 a great opportunity. Not for the first time this season, Matthew Donnelly in goal, thwarted the striker in the one-on-one, pulling off a brave save. And he will have the scars to prove it as the collision caused a break in play whilst the head-wound was tended to. This breather appeared to be what Parms needed and it was at this point that they started to get the ball down and play. The midfield 2 of Brethenoux and Carolan began to pick passes and their influence on the game grew. Tom Sergeant at no. 9 worked tirelessly in the channels and when holding up play, bringing Stevens, Atoniades and Mariani into the game in the final 3rd. Hamps always looked dangerous on the brake, often favouring a long diagonal ball to their pacey wingers. Chris Heritage of Hamps was earmarked as a danger prior to the game, however Scott Moore at right back had an impeccable game, nullifying this threat and keeping Heriatge quiet, as he cut an ever-increasingly frustrated figure. The only goal of the game came when the passing game from Parms finally put pay to the resolute Hamps defence. Tom Sergeant embarked on one of his bristling runs which soon caused panic. He was felled for what seemed a certain penalty, but the claims were waived away. The ball could only be cleared as far and Stevens, who played a neat pass to Carolan, putting him in behind the defence, only to pull back for Stevens to slot home. It was by no means an easy chance in a congested area and with the keeper well positioned. But as on many previous occasions, Stevens calmly stroked the ball home to give Parms a 1-0 lead at the interval. The team talk was one of positivity and a message to continue in the same vein and so it proved. Parms expected Hamps to fly out of the traps, but instead it was Parms who enjoyed a period of good possession, resulting in 2 chances for Carolan, albeit from around the 18-yard box. But as expected, Hamps did come knocking, as they first changed to 2 up front and then 3. The Parms Centre Backs of Vernon and John Sergeant dominated in the air and when there were balls played in, the positioning was excellent and the attacks nullified. As the game drew to a close, Hamps threw more forwards and Parms very nearly got a second, when Mariani was millimetres from bundling home a McGhee centre. The ability to retain possession saw Parms see out the game and pick up a second Cup this season.COYP
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