Chaps make back to back wins

Report

Chaps took to the field for their home league fixture against HMP Hewell, looking for a first league victory since September. Just like days of old, Leroux starred in goal as Thornton rested a damaged hand, and Feasey graced us with his presence to put in a midfield shift. The line-up remained as of last week, with players starting to cement positions as the season progresses. Tomolinson took his place on the bench alongside Tansley as he recovered from a slight knee knock. The search continues for founder Farr who was nowhere to be seen...

Surprisingly, Garvey lost the coin toss and Chaps found themselves once again playing into the Autumnal sunshine, on a pitch with lovely rolling hills. This made things difficult, as we struggled to maintain possession in the first half, though Feasey was showing some lovely footwork on the right and Jones was still in rage mode out on the left wing, going searching for the ball which was proving very effective.

Tindall was caught at left back and dislocated his finger, he promptly put it back in and carried on with the match. Garvey did well to clear a loose ball on the edge of the box as the Hewell striker followed up with a crunching tackle on his lovely foot, and their linesman was flagging every 6 seconds but I'm sure the referee wasn't at all intimidated by the surroundings.

Chaps were looking to hold on until half time, knowing a second half without the sun would allow them to play more football, and they did this and more. Jones, on another pacy run got fouled and Whalley stepped up to place the resulting free kick into the far right hand corner of the goal, via a very slight deflection. Superb technique again, that's his 3rd goal from free kicks this season. That signalled the end of the first half.

Chaps started the second half with great belief, and it wasn't long before Dowsett got on the scoresheet, in his typical bullish style. In fat, the guy hit another hat trick, this one took a lumbering twenty minutes though so it would seem he has some work to do on his fast-twitch muscle fibres in the gym. MOM award again making it four for him, getting quite bored of it all now. The chap pisses excellence...

Hewell, to their credit, put up a bit of a fight in the second half, bringing on a quick-footed striker to test our defence (ahem) and attacked in numbers. A superb last ditch clearance from Penny signalled a rethink, and Chaps quickly ditched their offside tactic and just defended the situation. This worked well and kept them out of the box for the most part. Their goal was a complete fluke, a wild cross from the right hand side that looped over Leroux and somehow curled into the top corner of the net. The Chaps felt hard done by, and rightly so, particularly Leroux who deserved a clean sheet after an excellent stint in goal.

Not to worry, as the midfield turned on the style, getting the passing going well and creating another two goals for Dowsett. Whalley was dropping deep to kick start play, Garvey was composed on the ball and not afraid to get stuck in where needed, indeed he was lucky to emerge unscathed from a very dangerous two footed lunge that went unpunished. Jones was rampant, heckling their players and running back to nick the ball at every opportunity, taking one in the old boat race along the way.

A shout out to Tomolinson today who was happy to stay on the bench to avoid disrupting the momentum of the team, wisely taking another week to rest up. He ran the line for us today and even had a little flirt with the inmates. Tansley has been an ever present since returning from injury himself, biding his time on the bench and picking up ever increasing substitute appearances when the chance arises. Without the attitude of these Chaps we would be in a lot of trouble.

Mosedale had another excellent performance upfront alongside Dowsett, winning ball after ball and setting up consecutive counter attacks with his intelligent passing and perfectly weighted lay-offs. His legwork and determination created space for the goal machine and put pressure on their defence all game, he really is becoming part of the spine of the Chaps Utd side. He takes the Chap of the Match award today, his no nonsense approach and excellent work in training is reaping rewards when it comes to game time, fair play Ed-Ward, we love you for it.