Waveney Hearts v Pot Black
Dip Farm
22-02-09
Result 3-3
Both clubs came into the top of the table clash defending an unbeaten record.
PB for the first time in a long time had a full squad to pick from. Richard Reeder returned in goal after returning from his work commitments, David Shade continued at the after his impressive debut last week and Rory French returned upfront to partner Liam.
The game started with both sides trying to play football on a difficult bumpy surface.
PB were having the lions share of possession and could have taken the lead on several occasions. Hearts were content to play on PB mistakes and hit long balls out of defence which were easily dealt with by the defence.
Hodge and Max in the centre were commanding in midfield winning all the challenger’s and creating a lot of problems for Hearts.
After 20 mins the deserved goal came, following a corner from the right Rory rose majestically to plant a header into the top corner. Still PB pressed and could have got a second before a diabolical decision by the referee to give Hearts a penalty following a handball decision which clearly hit the defenders face and was seen by all players and supporters alike apart from the referee. After the customary bookings and the fines, this explains why clubs are struggling to keep going. I do not condone dissent but after such a poor decision I can understand players frustration with the officials.
The penalty was converted to make the score 1-1 which was totally unjustified at this stage of the match.
This spurred Hearts on and deflated PB and for the next 10mins, Hearts were in control and should have been given a legitimate penalty when Darren Laws completely wiped out an attacker from behind when clean through, only this time the referee the only person not to see it.(2 wrongs do not make a right though springs to mind).It is this inconsistency with referees that infuriate clubs and players alike.
The first half finished 1-1.
The second half started with both sides looking for the get the all important second goal but PB were dealt another blow 5 mins into the second half when David Shade went for tackle which the ref saw enough to warrant a second yellow card and duly sent him off to make PB play almost the entire second half with 10men. Considering the good spirit the game had been played in with no bad tackles and the consequence of the first booking, a more experienced referee would have taken a different stance.
This seemed to spur PB on and a reshuffle of the pack meant that Jordon had to be replaced to enable Kev Sherwood to return at centre-half.
Still Hearts were showing very little as an attacking force and PB were controlling the game. It was no surprise that PB took the lead after good interpassing, left Liam with a clear ran on to goal, the keeper made good save but it rebounded into the path of Rory to slide into the empty net much to the delight of players and supporters alike.
PB continued to press forward to their credit and scored a good goal after Max Wall made a break down the left wing and crossed to the edge of the box where Rory showed his class by controlling the ball and hitting a screamer into the top corner before the keeper moved to give PB a 3-1 lead.
PB were now in complete control and it took another mysterious decision by the referee when Liam got away on the left wing and pushed the ball past the on-coming defender only for the defender to carry on with his tackle and professionally wipe him out. PB were given a free-kick and almost unbelievably no action taken by the referee.
Adam Sivell took over from Liam in mid-field for a fresh par of legs. Hearts were still not offering much but it took another huge slice of luck to get them back into the game. Following a harmless cross from the right, Reeder went down to collect the ball only for the ball to hit a divot and shoot off over his head enabling an opposing forward to put the ball into the net.
Hearts must have thought all their luck had come in one game and went looking for a thoroughly underserved equaliser which they got from a 30yrd shot which flew into the top corner of the net.
Still PB looked for winner but the game ended 3-3 and with Hearts thankful to hang onto their unbeaten record.
PB can take a lot of credit from this game considering the circumstances during the game and playing with 10 men for the second half but still being the better footballing team throughout the game.
This bodes well for next week when we play our Suffolk Cup semi-final at Leiston.
Last but not least a word for the referee who controlled the game well but got some big decisions wrong for both sides.
MOM
THE TEAM GOES WITHOUT SAYING.
But I would like to mention a couple of people Rory with an excellent hat-trick and endless running up front alone for most of the second half and Max Blowers playing at centre-half who played with an assurance well beyond his age.
HOT NEWS(BAD)
Hearts have lodged an appeal on the fact that we played 4 senior players instead of the allowed 3. It appears that we should have only had 3 in the team and not as your secretary thought, 3 senior players on the field at the same time, which we abided by.
It appears the appeal will be upheld by the committee and we will lose the point despite all the hard work put in by the players.
We are in the process of getting a case to appeal should the committee uphold the appeal.
So for Waveney Hearts who appear to be content on winning the league by any means either by not playing and getting the points or appealing to the committee, I wish them luck as I would rather win the game on the pitch which we did on Sunday albeit the result.
David
