PDFC rolled into the neutral territory of Cambridge for a 10am kick off against Kidderminster Harriers in our umptienth consecutive fixture of the season! Pre match banter revolved around the previous weeks game away at Sheffield Utd (more the post match “action” than the actual game itself!) Graham and Martin were questioned endlessly, but proved to be tighter than a camels ar$e in a sandstorm, and gave nothing away about those mysterious early hours of Sunday morning in Shefield. Not even proper journo Dave, using all his professional techniques, could get any juicy secrets other than that some evidence had been deleted to preserve the amnesia that those present were overcome with – we all know the truth will out in the end (probably via the interigation of Dan Parsons)!!
Anyway, to the game. Traditional late call offs/changes led to PDFC having a squad of 13 to choose from for this match against a Kiddy team who wore matching tracksuits and even had drinks bottles – very organised! A pre match team photo, maybe so they could have a momento to remind themselves of what Martins face looks like with only 2 hours sleep, preceeded kick off. PDFC started with James in goal, the back four lined up with Phil and Adam at full backs and Martins brother, Frazer and Tim in the centre. A strong midfield consisted of Ben on the left, Dave and Martin in the centre and Graham on the right flank. Up front we started with Rob and Sarah, with Jules (who was NOT late this week – well done!) and Simon on the bench.
Early exchanges were equal in a slightly easy paced start to the match. To the credit of Kiddy, they were keen to pass the ball around and try and play short passing football on all areas of the pitch. PDFC gradually came more into the game, with the defence looking tight, the midfield imposing themselves and forwards holding the ball up well. It was PDFC who scored the games first goal, midfield dynamo Martin received their keepers poor clearence midway in the Kidy half and expertly hit a half volley from over 30 yards past a diving keeper to put us 1-0 ! It was not long before it was 2-0, Graham was looking dangerous down the right flank and skinned the Kiddy defense with his Usain Bolt like pace on numerous occassions. One such attack fed the ball across the six yard box where Ben had moved in off the left flank and calmly side footed with his right foot (slowly!) into the bottom of the net. It was nothing more than PDFC deserved as they had contained Kiddy with some ease, whilst creating chances of their own when going forward.
However, the game was to turn on its head with only a few minutes of the half remaining and PDFC coasting it. A defensive reschuffle as Tim went off injured moved Adam to centre back and Simon , then Jules at left back. Not long after, a Kiddy cross fom the right was unfortunately deflected in by an unsighted Adam (yes, another own goal !), who was tangling with the Kiddy forward, and his cheek/nose scored Kiddys first goal. This gave Kiddy some extra impetus, and within a minute they were level. A long Kiddy clearence over the top left their attacker on the left side of the goal, and with a neat bit of skilll he drilled in the equaliser past James who had no chance. From being 2-0 and coasting, Kiddy were level within less than 5 minutes with their only 2 efforts of the half on goal. A bemused PDFC were glad to hear the generous 45 minutes from the ref draw to a close so we could re group. From being comfortable, without creating too many chances, at 2-0, PDFC lost some concentration to end up all square as the first half ended.
Half time : PDFC 2 – Kidderminster Harriers 2
The second half kicked off with Kiddy quickly building upon the momentum they had gained from their 2 very late goals in the first half. Not long after the half began, the skillful Kiddy forward curled the ball into the top corner from the left of the penalty spot after the PDFC defence failed to hoof the ball away from goal. It was a good finish, though PDFC should have cleared their lines first. Not long after, 3 became 4. A Kiddy break from a long ball led to James pulling off a good save, though unfortuntely the Kiddy forward could tap in the rebound from 6 yards. Kiddy had had 4 shots on goal, and scored 4 goals – efficiency that German carmakers would be proud of!
Punch Drunk were indeed were living up to their name at this point, however there was still about 40 minutes of the game left to get back into the match. PDFC toughened up again and began to pass the ball with increasing confidence and good movement as in the first half. Ben was seeing more of the ball down the left and this led to his second goal of the game as he dribbled in the left edge of the area and drilled a shot across the Kiddy keeper to make it 4-3. PDFC now had the momentum and there was still about half an hour to go. At this point, PDFC were now bossing the midfield through winning numerous tackles and headers – especially by Dave and Martin (who got a big smash on the nose by a Kiddy challenge). This gave PDFC lots of posession, though sometimes a lack of composure/eagerness to get an equaliser with the final ball led to posession being wasted just when the final killer ball was required to the forwards. Through a successon of corners, half and nearly not quite there chances, PDFC continued there domination and this was rewarded through a great goal by Dave. Picking the ball up on the left of the Kiddy penalty area, Dave cut inside and hit a swerving 25 yard shot into the top right of the Kiddy goal. A great shot that the effort and determination of the team deserved to draw the scores level.
PDFC were now confident they could push on for the winner. Phils injured ankle meant PDFC switched to an attacking line up of 3-4-3, with even injured players back on for the rest of the match. The PDFC midfield continued its dominace with Graham and Martin going close on a few occasions with shots that were close, especially a left footed volley by Graham. It was not all one way traffic, Kiddy were looking dangerous on the break and this was shown as the long second half moved into the final minutes. The quick Kiddy forward latched onto a long clearence and beat James in goal to the ball. As he lofted a half volley towards the empty goal, PDFC had Jules to thank, as an outstretched left foot hooked the ball off the line as he faced the goal and he prevented an undeserved winning goal by Kidderminster.
Soon after, the game finished and everyone could draw breath on an entertaining, very fairly contested and good spirited match. The word “fun” was even mentioned!
Full time : PDFC 4 – Kidderminster Harriers 4.
A great piece of defensive acrobatics at the death by Jules mant that PDFC deserved a well fought for draw. The first half was bizaare in that PDFC dominated most of it, but switching off for the last 5 minutes allowed to Kiddy to score a couple of quick goals. The second half was also a game of 2 halfs, Kiddy scoring from a couple of good finishes but then PDFC fought back with some great determination and effort by the whole team to deservingly draw level – and on another day we could have won it as well !
In nets, James actually had a quiet morning – the 4 goals apart – though he did pull off some good saves with his feet to deny the Kiddy forwards when they had some one on one chances. The defence played well also, Phil was solid at right back, putting in some well timed challenges – especially in the first half, before going off injured in the second half. Frazer was excellent at the back, winning his headers with some no nonsense clearences when required as well – hopefully hes not this good this coming Saturday ! Adam (own goal apart) and Simon / Jules were also competent as well. In midfield, Ben grew into the game as the match progressed and was a real threat when allowed to dribble with his dangerous left foot. In the centre, Dave and Martin bossed the midfield as the match progressed, when all headers and linking up well between themselves with some good dribbles forward. A super quick Graham was a threat to Kiddy all afternoon, putting in some dangerous dribbles, crosses and shots where possible. Up front, the rotating front line of Rob, Sarah and Simon held the ball up well and linked with the midfield where they could. On another day, a softer hit final ball, or the rub of the green from a 50-50 challenge would have had led to more clear cut chances on goal and 3 points.
As ever, thanks to Shaun and everyone else for organinsing the team to ensure this game went ahead.
The next game is away at Hull next Saturday, followed by helping Martin celebrate his birthday out afterwards in East Yorkshires finest venues !!
PDFC staring line up verses Kidderminster Harriers:
1. James Deacon
2. Phil T
3. Adam Basham
4. Dave Gooderham
5. Frazer Beecroft
6. Tim Daniels
7. Graham Lockwood
8. Martin Beecroft
9. Rob Atherton
10.Sarah Lockwood
11.Ben Frost
12. Simon Daniels
13. Jules
Goals: Congratulations to Ben on scoring his first goals for PDFC (2), along with well deserved exercet missile/long range efforts by Martin and Dave.
“Stretch Armstrong to clear the ball off the line” award – Jules
“What goes on tour, stays on tour” award – Great defiance by Graham not to give any Sheffield stories away to Hack Dave, or the amused Rob.
“Family Injury” Award – Tim and Simon both hobbling off with dodgy hammy’s, was it genetic or sympathy that they both were injured!?
“OG King” award – Adam, thats 2 OG’s in the last 2 games – classic own goals that Brian Gayle and Phil Whelan (look them up on You
Tube or Wikipedia for the younger readers) would be proud of !
Upcoming PDFC fixtures (at present/maybe/perhaps/possibly/who knows):
20Th November Hull Away
11Th December Preston Away
18Th December Leicester Home
28Th December Doncaster Away
15Th January Millwall Away
22ND January Doncaster or Bury Home
5Th February Sheff Utd Home
12Th February Barnsley Away
2ND April Burnley Away
30Th April Preston Home
8Th May Leicester Away
Upcoming Major PDFC Events:
Hull 2010 – November 19/20
WorldNET 2011 – July 22/23/24
