Stone Sunday league team Star FC won the Charity Cup last weekend with a hard-fought 2-1 win over Doveridge. Here’s a great match report from Star FC man Grant Bigham. Congratulations to all the players!
After enduring an embarrassing defeat the last time these two teams met, revenge was most certainly on the cards for the Star and manager Simon Marson made no secret of that fact. He wanted the record setting straight and a cup bringing home. On league position the Star seemed to be favourites, and rightly so after having caused a storm in their first season in the top divison. Mixing up the established pecking order, the team had definitely raised a few eyebrows with many not expecting them to have such an impact this season.
In the week building up to the game, the news of Charles’ absence filtered through to many of the players, being without the clubs leading scorer was a massive blow. His absence was sure to cause Marson a headache with the dilemma of who would replace him in the starting line up. He ended up reinstating Dan Marson after recovering from his illness of the previous week. This resulted in a 4-5-1 formation. Heath in goal, a defensive four from right to left of Sandy, Smith, Latham and Jones. Midfield five of Pickering, Marson, Moloney, Price and Arnold, with Askey the lone target man.
From the kick off though Doveridge were immediately on top, a pattern that would continue for the whole half. Heath was forced into an early save from a long Doveridge throw, but that apart there weren’t many clear cut chances with the Star defence putting in a shift and any chance of Doveridge scoring being put to bed with some poor finishing.
It took until the half hour mark before the Star managed to get a grip on the movement of Doveridge’s attacking players. Nevermind creating chances of there own, it seemed half time couldn’t come quick enough. Manager Marson was cutting a frustrated figure in the technical area, outing his frustration towards the linesman on numerous occasions.
Fellow Marson, Dan was also showing his frustration, throwing opposition players to the ground in pursuit of the ball. His midfield partner Price was spending more time on the ground trying to win tackles and yet again taking one for the team prior to the half time whistle. Which when it came was music to the manager’s ears. He wanted to get his team refocused and reorganised for a second half assault, where hopefully the Star would manage to finally assert themselves on the match.
Two minutes in and Doveridge clearly didn’t expect such a sure fire start from the Star. Moloney swiftly took advantage of a loose ball on the edge of the box with a sublime half volleyed finished. The keeper should have done better after getting finger tips to the ball, but happily the Star with their first real attack had stunned Doveridge and many of the supporters by claiming the lead. The Stone following though were making themselves known with joyous celebrations. Marson though was quick to get back to business, encouraging the team to shut up shop and keep it tight. The threat posed from Doveridge in the first half was sure to cause more problems throughout the remainder of the half.
However the Star were pressuring higher up the pitch and had started this half much more encouragingly. The loss of Jake was clearly being felt, as Doveridge were able to hold a much higher defensive line knowing there was no threat of pace getting in behind. It wasn’t long until the Doves created their first chance of the game, but they found keeper Heath in majestic form. Completing a triple save which drew much praise from Hissey. The crosses were flying in, a chances were coming more and more regularly for Doveridge. So understandably it wasn’t too much of a surprise to see them grab the equaliser. Arnold had been questionably nicked of the ball and Jones then beat too easily, before the Doves striker headed in the net.
Game back on. With Johnson and Dawson both being warmed up ready for action, it was clear attacking changes were to be made. But within 5 minutes of being back level, the Star were back ahead. A Sandy cross, flicked on from Moloney saw Askey carry the ball into the box before being brought down. There were no complains from the defender responsible and Dave Price was the man with the responsibility. Many breaths were drawn on the sidelines, although everyone would like to say they have full confidence in Price, his last penalty was missed, so nervous were jangling. Club President Sue Heath couldn’t bare to look. Perhaps surprisingly he despatched away a great penalty, and full credit must be given to his confidence in such a big match.
Marson once again urged the defence to tighten up, but with some attacking changes both Johnson and Dawson replacing Dan Marson and Tom Arnold. There was most definitely more pace on the pitch,the effect was visible with the Star able to run the channels more efficiently enabling the defence to have a breather.
With time running out thick and fast, there were more chances coming Doveridge’s way with numerous chances going begging. A massive chance that they somehow skied over the bar must have given the Star hope that this would be their final. Which indeed it was, the final whistle was greeted with the bench running onto the pitch and a mass of celebration. Revenge was sweet, especially so considering the amount of time spent under the cosh. A curious issue was the amount of new faces fielded by Doveridge that hadn’t been seen in any of the three previous clashes, nevertheless the Star came out victorious.
The win was no more than the team deserved for the performance over the whole season, surprising many but not ourselves. With another final this coming Friday, the Star will be hoping to make it two from two, which would really top the season off.
Thanks must be given to the great support from the travelling fans, hopefully such a turnout will be present for the next final this coming Friday at Oldfields, Uttoxeter.
There’s lots more news and information on the Star FC website.
