Kingskerswell & Chelston 3rds 1 Loddiswell Reserves 2
Saturday 24th October 2009

For the first time this season Loddiswell Reserves turned up to a match with the bare eleven. However, the difference this season is that despite five players missing from the previous game's squad, the team that took to the field were still of a high enough quality that confidence of getting a result against Kingskerswell & Chelston Thirds was high.

It was once again stressed that using the flanks as a main root of attack should be utilised more often than not, and in the opening 20 minutes wingers Rob Tapper and Zaffa Haris put pressure on the host's full backs time after time. It was down the left that Haris and Dan Hardy, playing at left back, linked up particularly well to pepper the home side's box with crosses, however, it took until mid way through the first half before Lodds finally opened the scoring. After yet another attack down the left, striker, Andy Edmonds, fired in a shot which was saved but fell to Rob Tapper who coolly slotted home.

Kingskerswell & Chelston from the start had adopted the root one tactic which the back four of Shaun Rowe, Simon Tapper - playing his first game since injuring his knee - skipper Wayne Kovacic and Hardy dealt with, any attacks that did break through the back line found Richard Teague in good form in goal.

The score remained at 1-0 as Lodds saw chances by Rob Tapper and Kovacic hit the post and narrowly go over the cross bar respectively. The second half was more of a workman like performance as the home side brought on fresh legs and adopted a more physical approach to stopping Loddiswell's midfield of Sean Raymond and Sam Elliott - an independent referee may well have issued cards on more than one occasion!

Midway through the second half Haris who had run himself into the ground was replaced by Mike Williams, who had only started training again last week after a back injury had kept him out of action since March. Being the only sub on the bench for Loddiswell the team new that getting the second goal was imperative if they were hang on as players got fatigued and the pitch got heavier. The second finally came when Sam Elliott latched on to the ball in the box to volley into the roof of the net, his celebration was cut short however, as cramp set in.

Loddiswell could have added to their tally to put the game out of reach but it was K & C who scored the final goal of the game when a speculative shot hit a bump in the six yard box and bounced over the diving Teague in injury time.

The win moves the Reserves up into third spot in Division Four and manager Chris Guard can feel very content in the knowledge that even a depleted side can come away and win all three points. Tomorrow Loddiswell travel to Islington.