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 Black Country Shop |
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15th September 2004 Opening Defeat for AFC after Promising Pre-Season T he Afc Gornal pre-season programme was a major success and the lads remained undefeated throughout their 6 matches. The friendlies were particularly fruitful for last season's player's player of the year Gavin Parkes who fired 8 goals, including a four goal salvo against Kidderminster Sunday premier league side Hayley Green Harriers. Pre season Results and scorers. v. Portabello F.C won 4-1 (Jones 2, Malpass, Upton) v. Enville Athetic won 1-0 (Jones) v. HillyFields F.C won 6-2 (Jones 2, Parkes 2, Atkins, Bates) v. Hayley Green won 4-1 (Parkes 4) v. Old Bulls Head won 3-1 (Kent 2, Parkes) v. Swindon G'hound drew 1-1 (Parkes) Opening day defeat Afc played host to Cookley on day 1 of the kidderminster league season and fell way short of levels that had been reached during the pre-season. A lacklustre performance brought a verbal vollying for his players after the game by Manager Richard upton. The match itself was evenly fought if not scrappy and it was Afc Gornal who took the lead, Gavin Parkes turning provider for new club captain Matt Hollis to fire home a sweet left footed drive. Further chances did go begging for Gornal but on the balance of play Cookley would have been hard done by to have gone in more than a goal down. The second half saw Afc return to the field looking sluggish and off the pace somewhat and it was no real suprise when cookley hit the equaliizer, Mart Collingride was caught in two minds when being closed down by the Cookley striker, who nipped ahead to slip the ball past the advancing Richard Hartill in the Gornal goal. Cookley's second followed shortly after a free kick was conceded by a combination of Chris Johnson and Collingride. The resulting set piece was then saved by Hartill but then as the ball rebounded off the crossbar it caught the keeper's arm and went in. Gornal did respond but missed two glaring chances; Dave Jones blazed over from 5 yards after good work by Steven Malpass, amd the combination reversed later on and Malpass put a good headed chance wide of the target following Jones's Cross. If im honest a draw would have been a fair result, but the lads can have no complaints as they were way below par on the day. If Afc Gornal continue to play like this then may suffer more defeats this season. Team: R.Hartill: M.Collingride, C.Johnson, I.Palmer: A.Kent, M.Hollis, L.Harrison(R.Bates 65), S.Malpass, B.Small (S.Flavell 70): D.Jones, G.Parkes (A.Checketts 75). Unused Subs M.Fullwood, G.Atkins. Goalscorer: M.Hollis (1) Man of the match: I.Palmer --> |
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