Craig Lairds weekly write up 14-6-15

[pecker]

MATCH OF THE DAY
ELIZABETH GROVE (2) ELIZABETH DOWNS (1)
ELIZABETH Grove has stamped themselves as championship contenders with a thrilling come from behind 2-1 win over Elizabeth Downs at Dauntsey Road.
The Peckers came into the game looking to build on a comeback win away at Fulham in round seven while the Downs were looking for a response after a shock 3-3 draw at home to Para Hills West.
The game had a good tempo from the start and the Grove should have taken the lead on five minutes when a fine Sean Brennan cross from the left hand side found Kahmen Greig who headed just wide from close range.
Downs captain Stephen Hughes created his team’s first chance when he moved the ball onto his left foot before shooting just over the bar from distance on 12 minutes.
The Peckers road their luck in the 20th minute when a Scott Lindsay shot was well blocked by Grove keeper Andrew Rowe but when the ball rebounded to Tommy Blackett his goal bound shot was cleared off the line.
Eight minutes later the Maroons took the lead when Nathan Day picked the ball up in the box before his deflected effort slid past Rowe into the far corner.
The Downs were bossing the game late in the half but had to settle for a one goal lead at the break.
After the break the Grove opened the better and Brad Docherty volleyed just wide after a fine Ryan Dingle ball from the right hand side.
The pace of the Peckers front line were causing issues for the Champions but it was a dead ball situation that brought the equalizer when Brennan picked out Greig at the front post who volleyed home on 72 minutes.
Moments later Brennan beat the offside trap but a last ditch challenge from Michael Cartwright saw the ball go just wide.
It was now end to end stuff and Rowe had to be at his best to save a rasping shot from the always dangerous Jason Trimboli.
The win was sealed in the 86th minute when Greig linked well with Docherty before Docherty whipped in a ball that Brennan slotted home at the back post to the delight of the boisterous Pecker support.
The win pushes the Grove to 3rd on the table while the Maroons bid for back to back titles is now in tatters as the sit nine points adrift of Ingle Farm.
Grove coach Shane Golder “Really proud of the boys today. We have shown we are capable of beating anyone on our day. The win reinforces that we are heading in the right direction.”

ELIZABETH VALE (0) vs INGLE FARM (1)
INGLE Farm remains four points ahead at the top of the Premier Division table after a hard fought 1-0 win over Elizabeth Vale at Moflin Road.
Farm came into the game looking to make it four wins from four on the road this season while Elizabeth Vale were hoping to collect another big scalp having beaten Parafield Gardens 1-0 in round seven.
The first half saw Farm creating the majority of chances but neither side found the net as the teams went to the break locked at 0-0.
Farm, missing captain Chris Ennis, continued to push for the opener but were being denied by an inspired Steve Doolan in the Vale goals as the game remained goalless entering the final 10 minutes.
The league leaders broke the deadlock on 82 minutes when a Liam Mulvaney played in a low hard ball from the right hand side which found the deadly Musti Ipekdal who buried the ball from six yards to the relief of the travelling Farm supporters.
Farm coach Paul Simpson “I thought we dominated the game but the Vale goalie was in outstanding form. The Vale is always a tough place to get a result so we are wrapped with the win.”

PARA HILLS WEST (0) PARAFIELD GARDENS (2)
PARAFIELD Gardens have returned to the winners list with a solid 2-0 win over Para Hills West at the Manor Farm Ground.
Gardens travelled to Para looking to extend their 100% winning away record while Westies were looking to build on a three game unbeaten run.
Gardens opened the scoring on 20 minutes when a great through ball from the promoted Chris Cockayne found Mateusz Marczuk who finished coolly.
The visitors doubled their lead on 35 minutes when Aaron Goulding picked up an errant defensive pass before firing home his first goal for the club from free play.
The 2nd half came and went without too many chances as Gardens secured a valuable win that keeps them within four points of pace setters Ingle Farm.
Gardens Vice President Stephen Roadley “Our first half was good. It was a good solid win and nice to get back into the winners list.”

SALISBURY INTER (4) vs SOUTHERN KNIGHTS (1)
A Dominant 2nd half display has seen Salisbury Inter run out 4-1 winners over Southern Knights at Underdown Park.
Inter came into the game on the back of a horror four game losing run while Knights claimed their first win of the season in round seven with a thumping 6-0 victory over West Beach.
The home side settled the better and took the lead on 15 minutes when some good lead up play from Andrew Butler finished with Marcus Marchioro who finished neatly from a tight angle.
Salisbury had a chance to double the lead shortly after when they were awarded a penalty but Marchioro’s attempt was well saved by Knights keeper Stephen Maguire
Knight’s chief goal scorer Tom Foglia then squared the game at 1-1 on 35 minutes when he finished with his right foot.
After the break Inter lifted the tempo and retook the lead on 55 minutes when play maker Alban Martini scored a fine solo goal.
Martini was at it again ten minutes later when he left three Southern Knights players in his wake before finishing in style to make it 3-1.
On 75 minutes the result was sealed when Martini turned provider for Butler who scored to make it 4-1.
Coach Steve Cook was pleased to get the result “We are just glad to get the three points. The boys really turned up and played today and we were really good all over the park.”
Coach Jim McGuiness “We pressed hard for a win and that made us vulnerable at the back, to Inters credit they took advantage of that.”

WEST BEACH (0) FULHAM (4)
FULHAM have run out comfortable 4-0 winners over local rivals West Beach at Lockleys Oval.
Beach came into the game sitting at the foot of the table due to a run of five consecutive loses while Fulham were looking to build on their five point buffer over their rivals.
The visitors took the lead on 16 minutes when a ball intercepted in the midfield was played into Sanjin Julardzija who did well to score his first goal for Fulham.
The lead was doubled on 21 minutes when Julardzija scored his 2nd in fine style as Fulham took a two goal lead to the break.
Two minutes into the 2nd half Fulham went three goals up when Lumi Adisa made the most of a defensive slip up before slotting the goal.
Fulham were reduced to ten men shortly after but it mattered not as Paul Bearzotti struck a fine shot that deflected into the net to round out a fine Fulham performance.
Coach John Christopoulos “Really happy to get the points over our local rivals away from home”.