Thrills, skills and two teams to be proud of
Last updated 11:27, Wednesday, 05 November 2008
TWO teams who have won all six league matches, went head-to-head at Castletown Recreational Ground, to produce an outstanding and entertaining game of football.
Castletown and Kingstown had one tactic in mind – to attack.
Ewan Winnecey, Castletown’s left-winger, dribbled and weaved his way through on goal several times, but he couldn’t find the final pass or shot to beat Kingstown’s agile keeper Lee Jessamine.
And when Winnecey shot by Jessamine, the ball was cleared off the line, adding to Castletown’s misfortune in front of goal.
The Penrith-based side had another chance to break the deadlock. A counter attack from a Kingstown corner saw Winnecey head the ball from an accurate Greg Cameron kick into the path of the oncoming Tyler Boyes, who took a touch and shot into Jandeera’s arms.
Just before the break, Kingstown went agonisingly close. Nick Christy, Kingstown’s midfielder, struck a 20-yard effort on target, but the fingertips of Greg Cameron tipped the ball over for a corner.
Great sportsmanship was on show from Castletown and Kingstown – among all the players and coaches. Although the fixture was a six-pointer, the managers and coaches maintained the fun factor in the game, ensuring that everyone played with a smile.
The second half started with a very high tempo, with both teams going for three points.
Again, Winnecey attacked the left flank after intercepting a loose pass, before arrowing a shot across the Kingstown goal which looked destined to smash into the back of the net. But Lee Jessamine plucked the thunderbolt out of thin air, showing off his athletic ability.
Following Winnecey’s strike, Tyler Boyes came close but Lewis Jandeera was there to clear.
Kingstown couldn’t find their way past the brick wall that was Ryan Bracken at the centre of defence. But, when they did, another wall appeared – Tyler Boyes, who, for the third time in the game, made another goal-line clearance.
Then, with five minutes to go, Castletown pushed for the winner. A through ball to Ewan Winnecey confused Kingstown keeper Jessamine, who rushed out of goal to clear the danger. However, the ball held up in the grass, allowing a shot into an open net for Willecey, yet despite the left-winger’s capability, his aim was millimetres off target.
In the final attack, a long ball by Bracken evaded Kingstown’s backline and Nick Dudson headed over Jessamine to send the ball on its way to a last-gasp winner, but another goal line clearance prevented Castletown taking all three points.
In the end, both teams went home with a point. Although Castletown had more clear-cut chances, the football played by both teams, as well as the attitude shown by all players, meant a draw was a fair result.
