RESERVES LOSE TO THE LIMETREE

After the game was billed as a 2nd v 3rd crunch match. By the time kick off rolled around, it was 2nd v 5th, not due to anyone else playing… but FC Peterborough pulling out of the league, giving all teams (including Cardea) a 3 point deduction from the game cancelled earlier in the season.

Cardea aimed to start the game quickly, attempting to blow Limetree away in a similar fashion that they did in pre-season. That is exactly what they did, starting with a high press, good football and plenty of energy, it was looking really promising for Cardea early and Limetree looked like they had no answer to the good start. In particular, Josh Sieley and Wayne Ward who were causing problems down the wings, Sieley having the opening chance of the game which the Limetree keeper dealt with well to keep the scores level.

Adam Stacey shortly had the second chance of the game, once again the Limetree keeper was equal to the effort. Although Cardea continued to create chances, it was Limetree that opened the scoring after 14 minutes. A long ball over the top caught the Cardea defence out, and the Limetree front pair worked the ball well into the area and fired past Andy Yeomans to make it 1-0, totally against the run of play.

This took the wind out of the Reserves’ sails, and 9 minutes later, the Limetree lead was doubled in similar fashion. Another long ball over the top and an aerial challenge between Jon Saunders and the Limetree forward which the Cardea full back was not able to win. The ball broke into the area and Limetree doubled their lead through a good finish. 2 minutes later it was 3-0 Limetree, the reserves switching off and Limetree taking full advantage of the gaps in the defence and midfield.

Peter Green who had been impressive in recent weeks was clearly struggling due to a rib injury which had threatened to keep him out of this game, and he was substituted after 30 minutes to be replaced by the returning Jake Ball.
The end of the first half saw Cardea starting to grow back into the game, however the broad side of a barn wouldn’t have been in any danger from any of the Cardea players in the first half. Which is a shame, due to the tailwind and low sun which captain James Roberts had opted to try and take advantage of in the first half. The score remaining 3-0 at half time, but Cardea dominating all but a 15-minute spell in the middle of the half, which Limetree had taken full advantage of.

One half time substitution was made in an attempt to get Cardea a foothold in the game, with experienced striker Adam Stacey being removed after a luckless first half. He was replaced by the returning Adam Ward, after holidays, injuries, tough mudder, washing his hair and walking his dog had kept the stag weekend enthusiast out for many weeks (I would specify numbers, but I lost count).

The opening of the first half brought no more goals, and not many more chances for either side, with the field of play acting like more of a ping pong table rather than a football pitch. More substitutions were made on the 65th minute, with player manager Dave Hardingham replacing Dan Pepper, and Andrew James replacing Stuart Lee, who had clearly had enough of performing shuttle runs in the middle of midfield.

Hardingham made an instant impact, running in behind the Limetree defence and being brought down by the keeper. After cries from the Limetree players accusing Hardingham of diving, the referee (for the first time in the game) made the correct decision to award Cardea a penalty. James Roberts called rank as captain after his glorious penalty 2 weeks ago, to bring Cardea back into the game. Unfortunately he followed up his last effort by planting this one straight down the middle, where the Limetree keeper stayed and saved the Captain’s penalty.

Limetree broke straight down the other end to make it 4-0, the Limetree centre midfielder who had been aggressive in the tackle all game and had been first to most of the second balls on the pitch got his goal. Curling the ball into the corner from just outside the area.

More subs were made in an attempt to get something out of the game, but Limetree got the next goal, making it 5-0 with 7 minutes to go.

With pride on the line (and goal difference), Cardea tried to get a goal back. Tom Jacombs crossed a ball in from a free kick (the second one Cardea had been awarded all game) after Wayne Ward was hit harder than Ayrton Senna hit the wall at Imola in 1994. The free kick was met by substitute Dave Hardingham who planted the ball into the corner to restore some measure of pride (and goal difference).

It was 5-2 in the final minute with centre back Aaron Guntrip getting on the score sheet, and out of the end of season Karaoke. It wasn’t a bad finish to be fair to him, the ball falling to him on the edge of the area after Limetree failed to clear a corner, and the centre back/ wannabe centre midfielder fired the ball hard into the bottom corner.
Man of the Match was Josh Sieley, he caused constant problems down the left the whole game and was unlucky not to get 3 or 4 assists or even a goal for himself.
In the end, a very frustrating 5-2 defeat against a team that will almost certainly be in the mix at the business end of the table at seasons end. The reserves have a chance to make up for the result next weekend though, when they return to cup action against Stilton Reserves.

Caretaker Manager Kev Webster had this to say after the game: “Not at our best today but instead of dwelling on the negatives we need to take the positives into next weeks game vs Stilton. We was playing football the right way and was just unlucky on the day.”

Next up for the Reserves is a Hunts Cup game against Stilton Reserves at Queens Park.