Weakened squad give it their all (From Penarth Times)

Weakened squad give it their all

Spencer 6,

Penarth 6

AS ILLNESS and injury continued to ravage Penarth's squad, the bare minimum of ten players made the trip to central London for their first crucial match this season against promotion rivals Spencer.

In front of Welsh international goalkeeper James Richard-son, Will Evans was the only regular defender available and it was left to Andy Morgan and captain Matt Wills to step in once again. This served to weaken an already threadbare midfield, although the trio of Stanford, Lee and Jones were rarely outplayed in the middle.

With the first choice attack line-up of Bolderson, Proctor and Barrett, the Welsh team were confident of a good result and went out intent on upsetting the 15-strong Spencer squad.

Perhaps complacent in the face of the weakened Penarth squad, Spencer started slowly and despite winning possession from the face-off, produced nothing of note during their first few attacks. Penarth, on the other hand, started with the bit between their teeth and created several chances through excellent ball movement and outstanding solo efforts from Bolderson and Stanford, to push themselves into a 3-0 lead at the quarter.

It was a comprehensive first-quarter display from the Blue & Reds, and the message for the second period was simply to continue the hard work. However, following some stern words at the break, the home side emerged in the second quarter determined to make a game of it, and dominated possession for much of the period.

With a weakened attack line, Spencer failed to cause Richardson many problems in the Penarth goal and relied on outside shots in the face of a well-drilled zone defence. Their dominance in possession did not go unrewarded, though, as they managed to score twice without reply, from some superior ball and player movement around the crease, to close the gap to 3-2 at half-time.

If football is said to be a game of two halves, then onlookers might observe that this game of lacrosse was very much a game of four quarters, as each period of play contrasted hugely to the others.

With a tiring midfield, Penarth set out to contain the opposition attack and limit them to the outside shots which had failed to trouble Richardson throughout the first half. They also tried to capitalise on fast-break opportunities, particularly from breaks by the long stick defenders who were encouraged to venture downfield.

The tactics paid off superbly, as once again Spencer were shut out and Penarth made the most of their increasing frustration, scoring twice more on man-up plays and fast breaks, to edge the lead back out to 5-2 by the end of the quarter.

Under fading light, the last quarter was a tense, scrappy affair, as Penarth conceded penalties and the home side capitalised, scoring twice before their Welsh visitors could respond to take the score to 6-4.

Penarth were reeling and, with weary legs throughout the side, Spencer's midfield stepped up again and dominated possession for the bulk of the quarter, piling huge amounts of pressure on the Welsh goal.

With each wave of attack, the Londoners came closer, until a break finally came to push them to within a goal of Penarth at 6-5.

Buoyant at the prospect of taking a result from a game which had seemed lost at the start of the final period of play, Spencer continued to pressure the Penarth defence and the equaliser inevitably followed, with less than a minute to play.

One final attack from Penarth could have won the game in the dying seconds, but unfortunately for the visitors, time was called as they moved within sight of goal and the game finished tied at 6-6.

Despite the last quarter capitulation, Penarth had performed magnificently throughout with such a weakened squad, but Spencer refused to give up on a game that would have all but ended their promotion chances had they lost.

Penarth Man of the Match was Rod Stanford who continues to be the engine at the heart of the midfield, dominating play and controlling the pace of the game.

Penarth goalscorers: Bolder-son (3), Proctor (2), Stanford (1).