Hemel Army (Away)

							Man of the Match Tom Gunning
							Starting Team
							GK	Pratt, Lawrence
							DL	McDonald, Matt
							DR	Whittaker, Steve
							DC	Powell, Adam
							DC	Pouncey, Steve
							MR	Lanham, Danny
							ML	Konkoly, Zoltan
							MC	Kendal, Jon
							MC	Harris, Stephen
							F	Gunning, Tom
							F	McBrearty, Kenny	S1 (60')
							S1	Federici, Mass

Date: Saturday 9th September '06         
Time: 10:30                                             
Competition: League
Location: Away (Galley Hill Sports Pavilion)

St Albans Romans                    6 (4)
  Gunning (2) 
  Kendal (2)   
  Whittaker    
  Own Goal     
  
Hemel Army                              0 (0)

Match Report

A Bright Start To The New Season

Romans midweek check on availability looked more like the introductory notes of Wish you Were Here.

With half a dozen regulars away in locations ranging from the exotic Havana to the "where is that?" of Yarm, the game against a Hemel side that we failed to beat last year was a potential banana skin.

After a fairly scrappy opening twenty five minutes it looked like it was going to be a close affair with neither team really getting a grip in midfield and the long ball looking the most likely way the opening goal was going to be scored.

What followed was a 13 minute spell of scoring started with an own goal following a good cross from Kendal after his strong run had opened up the defence (26')

Romans sparked into life and 3 minutes later Gunning was put clean through after good work from McDonald (29'). Having previously squandered a couple of chances by trying to see how hard he could hit the ball, Gunning calmly dinked the ball past the onrushing keeper.

2-0 would have been a strong position to be in at half time but 2 minutes from the restart Romans added a third. A long kick from ‘keeper Laurence eluded the Hemel defence and the tireless Kendal went on another run on the right that ended with a shot that gave the keeper no chance as it crashed into the net (31').

Three goals in a six minute spell and a score that didn’t quite reflect the balance of play but, nonetheless, the score became 4-0 when Kendal double his tally with an easy finish having been set free by Harris (38').

This should have been the last action to report on from the first half but Harris has been working during the summer vacation and has cash to spare. Whilst it benefits the FA and the clubs charity coffers, getting booked or sent off for verbals is inexcusable and stupid! (45')

A quick reshuffle at halftime and the ten man Romans were comfortable holding on to their lead and with 15 minutes left on the clock went to a 3-4-2 formation. Five minutes from time following good work from Konkoly put Gunning through for his second of the game, a great strike from outside of the box that the keeper could only watch and admire as it flew past him (85').

On ninety minutes Gunning was again through on goal and his hat-trick was on but he unselfishly squared the ball to the squeal on his right and there was wee Whittaker to calmly side-foot the ball home (90').

6-0 to Romans and a good performance given the absentees and the not so smooth pre-season performances. A good team performance with Kendal and Gunning standing out from the rest. A special mention to the defence too as traditionally they tend to be a bit shaky early season and looked solid here.

So, a good win but its still early doors and we still have room for improvement in all areas. Interesting selection problem in two weeks time!