Firstly, before discussing last weekend’s game, a mention of the previous week’s match against Dents Allstars in the charity league.
A fairly even game was battled out against a strong Dents team in a 10-goal thriller. Dents went two up in the first 30 minutes, but all credit to the Guardians, who got one back in the 43rd minute through Damon Camplin.
The second half started, and two minutes in, the Guardians levelled the game through Charles Green. Dents continued to work their pace through their wingers and striker and retook the lead in the 55th minute through good right-wing play.
Credit to the Guardians, who made it 3-3 with a well-taken corner and a looping, dolphin-like approach from John Harrison’s head.
Dents then got two quick-fire goals to retake and extend the lead before the 75th minute.
However, Paul Blackmore, on the hunt, found the net for the Guardians with a neat headed tap-in to pull one back and make a game of it at the end.
In the last few moments, Dents got the final goal to end the game 6-4. It was a fantastic game from both sides and a platform for how this charity league is played. Man of the match was John Harrison, aka The Salmon.
Now for last weekend’s game against Sands United.
The first 10 minutes were a very even game between the midfields, with some half-chances for both sides but nothing until the 17th minute when Damon and Steve both had efforts for the Guardians but weren’t taken. At the other end, Tom Hewland in goal pulled off two marvellous saves to keep the game 0-0.
It wasn’t until the 34th minute that Sands got the first goal through their striker. Barely a minute from the restart, Sands were in again, but Tom saved once more.
From that, an attack down the left was created, and Archie Priest found Rich Priest on the overlap. Rich took the ball into the box, and after two mistackles, was taken down in the area. A penalty was given. Rich stepped up to place the penalty, and even though the keeper got a hand to it, it went in to make the game 1-1 and level into the half.
The second half began, and Sands were fast at it. They soon tested Tom again, who saved, but Sands came again and this time didn’t miss, taking the lead again. Great work in midfield from Steve, John and Chaz started to get the Guardians moving. A well-placed side pass from Champ found Steve Carruthers, who calmly found the bottom corner, making it 2-2 on 60 minutes.
Efforts came and went as both teams pushed for the next goal, and it wasn’t until the 72nd minute that Sands got it through their winger, who came inside and took his chance.
In the 75th minute, Ben Pipes, playing wing- back, brought down the ball well and struck an amazing effort but unfortunately hit the upright of the goal. Unlucky, but a great effort.
With 10 minutes of the game left, Tom again kept the Guardians in the game with great saves, his sixth of the game. A second effort to hit the crossbar came when Champ drove through the field and struck from the right, smashing the crossbar. Another great effort.
Minutes were left in the game, and a final effort for the Guardians before Sands got their fourth in the 88th minute to end the game with a 4-2 win. Another great game for the league and a great amount raised for all the charities. Well done, everyone involved.
Team on the day: Tom Hewland, Ben Pipes, Rich Priest, Wayne Merritt, Mark Waites, Paul Blackmore, Steve Priest, Archie Priest, John “Salmon” Harrison, John “Champ” Blades, Steve Carruthers, Charles Green, Ethan Waller, Damon Camplin, Lewis Grewar, Anthony Hudson.