AHSFP's 4 F.C Claypotts

Fp's first team entertained Claypotts in sunny but blustery conditions at Hercules Den last Saturday. This was the third time this season that the two teams met with both teams having one victory each. Fp's made only one change to the team that put up a brave fight the previous week against top team Riverside. With Fenwick unavailable, Brown took up the sweeper position thus allowing Riddell to move to centre half. Lawson and Mclaren back from illness and injury respectively, filled the substitute bench along with youngster Harrison.

 Both teams started the match in a 3-5-2 formation and as a result cancelled each other out in the earlier exchanges.Whilst the visitors enjoyed the bulk of possession the homesters looked dangerous on the break but neither side threatened the opposing goal.

 Indeed the opening goal came from a simple set piece. Persistant play down the right from Fp's Sharp and Kidd resulted in a throw in 18 yards from goal. Kidd's precise long throw found the head of the incoming SEAN LEES and his deft flick beat the keeper to find the far corner of the net.

 To their credit Claypotts hit back immediately. A 'Potts throw in was missed by Smith and his marker sent a long ball over the Fp's defence. Brown was caught out of position leaving Humphreys exposed and the visitors striker easily out paced him before striking a shot which Saunderson initially saved.Unfortunately the ball fell to the same forward and he scored at the second time of asking.

 This goal seemed to rock the Fp's and they had keeper Saunderson to thank for making a couple of fine saves to keep the game level. Humphreys then came off second best in a 50-50 tackle and had to be replaced by Mclaren who slotted into centre half.

Fp's then squandered a couple of direct free kicks in dangerous positions with both Kidd and Riddell striking high over the bar. Chances were also missed by Ferrier and again Kidd who unbelievably missed an open goal from four yards.

 Just as the half looked like finishing all square, Fp's delivered a sucker punch with a minute remaining. Smith's throw found the feet of Lees who laid back to the thrower. Smith then delivered a pin point cross onto the head of NORMAN SHARP who found the bottom corner from six yards.

Half time: AHSFP's 2 F.C Claypotts 1.

 The second half started in a fiesty fashion with both teams snapping into tackles to try and gain an advantage. Several Claypotts players were booked with Mclaren and Dall also recieving yellow cards although Dalls was for angrily reacting to the heavy treatment he was having to withstand.

 Fp's third goal came from yet another throw in. This time it was Dall who threw long into the box causing panic amonst the 'Potts defence. As the ball bobbled about Ferrier's shot struck a defender but the ball kindly fell to NORMAN SHARP who blasted home from close range for his second of the game and his nineteenth of the season.

 Fp's should have got another after great wing play from Sharp. He crossed into the box and found Gall unmarked in front of goal but from only 8 yards out his first time shot sliced out for a goal kick.

 Claypotts were then livid when the referee turned down a penalty claim. As the ball struck Smith in the face the 'Potts players claimed hand ball but the well positioned official correctly waved away their desperate protests.

 A great team goal made sure of the points for the Fp's. Mclaren found Sharp on the left wing. Sharp then weighted a perfect through ball for Smith who's pace took him passed the entire 'Potts defence. But with only the outrushing keeper to beat, Smith unselfishly squared for MIKE GALL leaving him an empty net to roll the ball into.

 With the game now out of the Dundonians reach they began to lose their discipline. Several more of their players were booked before the referee eventually sent their central defender off for abusive language.

 Knowing the game was over as a contest Fp's brought on vetern Lawson for the tiring Smith. Fp's then easily held out to claim all 3 points and keep themselves in contention for promotion.

 The man of the match was jointly awarded to both Fp's strikers Gall and Sharp who never gave the oppositions defence a minutes peace all game.

Team:Saunderson, Brown, Riddell, Humphreys, Dall(c), Lees, Smith, Kidd, Ferrier, Gall, Sharp, Mclaren, Lawson & Harrison.