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This proved tp
be a superb team performance by Forest Glade and something that
the team has been threatening all season. A squad that has been
hit hard by injuries and absences showed some remarkable
resilience and skill against a much stronger and physical team. |
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Immediately
the game began, it was evident that Forest wanted to play
football. There was plenty of first time passes being made and
although this sometimes led to some scares defensively the
passing was leading to the team growing in confidence. It was
therefore unfortunate that Forest went a goal behind after 8
minutes. Marshalls' forced a corner on the Forest left. As the
corner came across the 6 yard box the Forest keeper, Elliott
Thwaites, attempted to push the ball away only to see his
attempted clearance smash against a Marshall's player and into
the goal. |
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The set back
didn't impact the willingness of Forest to continue to try and
play a passing game. The defenders were particularly important
in this as they collected the ball from Elliott and switched
from defence to attack with pace. Up front the pace of the
strikers was causing some desperate last gasp defending. One
sweeping move saw David Keen released down the right wing, his
pace saw him take the ball past the Marshall's left back and
close to the edge of the area. His powerful cross went across
the 6 yard box and agonisingly inches ahead of the onrushing
Forest strikers. |
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Another smart
passing move saw Jack Eldridge stride towards the edge of the
Marshalls' goal area. His shot, however, lost strength against
the very strong wind and was well saved by the keeper. |
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The second
half saw Forest now have the wind in their favour and this led
to Forest totally dominating the territorial play. But for all
the pressure the final touch just wasn't creating a clear enough
opening. Jack Hawthorn and Grant Cumming were both set free by
passes from the midfield but the Marshalls' defence battled hard
and the keeper was able to save the shots. |
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Forest's
strong performance was frustrating the Marshall's players. The
three man Forest defence were incredibly strong, a feat even
more incredible given that Pau Duggins was having his first ever
run out at left back. Marshalls' attack couldn't cope with the
organisation of the Forest team who regularly caught them
offside. |
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Finally after
20 minutes Forest drew level. On the left of the Marshalls' goal
area the ball fell to David Keen. He quickly decided to try and
lob the goalkeeper and his shot was perfectly executed as the
keeper desperately attempted to backtrack only to see the ball
land behind him in the back of the net. |
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The equaliser
lifted the Forest team's confidence even higher and within
minutes they were pressuring the Marshall's goal again. In
almost a repeat David Keen unleashed another long shot from the
left but this time the goalkeeper made a good save and parried
the ball away. Jack Hawthorn chased down the parry and
pressurised the Marshalls' defender. As he attempted to clear
the ball from the touchline, Jack managed to block the
clearance. The ball fell 5 yards behind him. In a flash he
seized the opportunity and unleashed a powerful left foot shot
from wide on the right. The ball arrowed across the goal and
into the top far corner for a simply stunning goal. |
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Now every one
of the Forest players wanted to get in on the act. Confidence
was high and this led to Lewis White even having a shot from
distance with his left boot. This time the accuracy was not so
good and the ball didn't even go off for a throw. It was however
a sign that the team was enjoying their domination. Even when
Marshalls' did threaten the collective nature of the team saw
them blocking shots and giving Elliott a relatively easy time in
goal. |
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It would have
been easier for the supporters to cope with if Forest had
managed a third but time drifted away from Marshalls and Forest
had a well deserved victory. |
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This was a
true team performance with everyone supporting their team-mates
whether in attack or defence. David and Jack received the
adulation on the pitch but the management and supporters
recognised the performances of Paul Duggins at left back and the
battling of the diminutive squad members Jake Meads and Chris
Baker. |
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Team
|
|
Thwaites |
Chapman |
Fedden |
Duggins
|
Keen |
|
|
Eldridge |
White |
Meads |
Barker |
Cumming |
|
|
Hawthorn |
|
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Subs: |
Baker |
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