Nelson 2 - 4 Stanleytown
Martin Jones
Craig Williams (p)
Matthew Symmons 2
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First game back after the Xmas period and Stanleytown travelled over to nelson, where the 2 clubs 4th meeting this season. With a good mood in the dressing room and the return of Matthew Symmons and Martyn Evans there was a good feeling about the day. This was highlighted when some early pressure paid off and Martin Jones struck a fierce shot from the edge of the area which found its way under the keeper and in to the back of the net, 1-0 Stanleytown. However the game still seemed pretty even with both sides playing some good football. But it was Stanleytown who got the next goal with a fine bit of passing, and when John Williams squared the ball to Alex Thomas on the edge of the area, Alex was able to take a touch into the area before being brought down by the Nelson defender. Penalty, and up step captain Craig Williams to slot the ball home neatly in the bottom left corner, 2-0 Stanleytown. After lots of battling for possession this is how the half finished.
The second half started with Nelson applying the pressure and looking the more likely to score. However with the introduction of Matthew Symmons for Tyrone Jones, this soon changed and after some fine football on the wing by Martin Jones he played Matthew Symmons through on goal who calmly converted the chance to make it 3-0 Stanleytown. The game then seemed over until a mistake in the defence give Nelson a goal and a way back into the game, 3-1 Stanleytown. However with the pace of Matthew Symmons upfront Stanleytown were always a threat and this was proved when Matthew converted a brilliant solo effort, running the ball half the pitch and passed 2 defenders before knocking the ball calmly passed the keeper to make it 4-1 Stanleytown. With the game now seemingly over Nelson applied lots of pressure and finally got their rewards in the last few minutes when a deflected shot found its way passed Tom Lewis between the sticks, final score Nelson 2 - 4 Stanleytown.
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PLAYER RATINGS
Tom Lewis - 7
Positive - Went from zero to hero, giving away a penalty before saving it. Made a few good saves.
Negative - I nearly started crying when Tom shouted at me in the second half. Also my heart was in my mouth when a cross slipped through Toms hands before luckily creeping over the bar.
Adam Green - 7
Positive - Played some nice balls down the line, and made some good tackles. Linked up well with Squirt
Negative - Getting a bit lippy around the place. Them Xmas boots were glowing white, shocking!
John Williams - 7
Positive - Has great feet, deceives players easily. Always highly consistent.
Negative - Tired in the second half, the boys not getting any younger and lack of sleep with the little un isn’t helping
Barrie Jones - 7
Positive - Didn’t wander as much this week. Loves the big tackles and has a great engine. Good partnership with Carlos
Negative - Thought the Nelson player was his own for the first nelson goal, to be fair though he does have bad eyesight
Carl Semmens - 7
Positive - Nicky Rees saying he played well
Negative - Moment of madness in the second half nearly cost a goal.
Alex Thomas - 7
Positive - Easily one of his best games for the club. Wound his opponent up and skinned him several times
Negative - Maybe Goodjob should teach him how to work back with his opponent
Martin Jones - 8 STAR MAN
Positive - Getting better with every game. The guy was awesome today. Worked back tirelessly, got a goal, walked through players, provided a goal. Excellent display.
Negative - Quiet off the field
Lee Bolderson - 7
Positive - Another fine display from the highly missed Lee Bolderson. Great work rate, put in some big tackles in the middle. Composed late on when we needed to keep possession.
Negative - Needs to remain injury free, big player for the club.
Joe Eason - 7
Positive - Super Joe gave another great performance in the middle, played their best player off the park. Played some quality balls through to the strikers.
Negative - Got a bit too wrapped up in a 1v1 with his opponent in the first half.
Tyrone Jones - 7
Positive - Dropped out wide for ball, skinned defenders all afternoon. Always making a pain of himself around the goal area
Negative - Just not happening for him in front of goal at the moment, his time will come.
Craig Williams - 7
Positive - Calmly slotted his penalty away. Always showing for the ball and providing an option. Worked hard when we didn’t have the ball. Xmas boots on show.
Negative - Needs to stay on the wagon with the 6 nations around the corner!
Matthew Symmons - 8
Positive - First game back from injury, played half hour and got 2 goals. Was awesome. Close for star man. Kissing the Stanleytown badge after the first!
Negative - Should have got a hat trick.
Martyn Evans - 7
Positive - Good to have Mervin back in the middle, broke up the play well, made some good challenges
Negative - Says his knees are gone and his fitness is non existent
Gary Thomas - 6
Positive - Came on late on to tighten up the defence
Negative - Loves to abuse the referee
Leon Semmens - Unused sub
Fell flat on his back in the changing rooms and made a poor attempt at the 6 halves
Good result today, plenty of positives. Work rate was good, return of Symmo and Mervin, some excellent performances. A few big games coming up, lets get good numbers there every week and put a good run together and push ourselves up the table!
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