Match Report

Sun February 17th

vs Castlebridge

A beautiful day in Oakley saw a fiercely contested contest which was won late-on by a fantastic strike from Liam Kinch.

The day was fine but the uneven surface and steep slope offerred little prospect of a game of slick passing football.  Depite this, the Norries started well with Conor Durie and Liam Kinch asking questions of the home defence.  A break by Conor Durie was halted cynically just outside the area and CALUM REILLY stepped up to fire the ball home from the free kick. 

At this stage, the Norries were in control but Castlebridge were threatening on the break, with their pace causing problems down each flank.  A quick break set up an opportunity in the inside right channel and when the ball kicked up in front of Ally Moore, his parry was knocked home by the onrushing attacker for 1-1. 

The momentum now swung to the home side and another break down the left saw the ball fired across goal and MICHAEL FLEMING tried to clear but only deflected it behind his own keeper.  The Norries responded well by again taking the game to the home team.  When the ball was slipped in behind the centre backs, LIAM KINCH reacted quickest and lofted the ball into the top of the net. 

The game was now becoming a contrast of styles, with the Norries trying to play their passes through midfield and Castlebridge firing long balls back to front and pushing four attackers onto the Norries back line.  The Norries regained the lead when Chris Gordon fired a cross behind the home defence and JACK HYND volleyed the ball home. 

The Norries were now back in control and when Conor Durie pounced on a defensive slip-up, he was hauled down, seemingly inside the box.  The referee disagreed but RYAN CAMPBELL stepped up to fire home the free kick for 4-2.   

With half time approaching, the Norries relaxed on their lead and conceded a silly free kick out wide on the right.  The ball was flighted in and ended up in the net off the top of a Norries head and the far post.  Then, in the final minute of the half, the Norries failed to clear their box and the Castlebridge skipper fired home from 20 yards out.  4-4 at half time. 

The second half continued in exactly the same vein, although both defences looked considerably tighter.  Just as the match looked likely to peter out in a draw, the Norries got a final passing move started down the left.  Jack Hynd slipped the ball inside to Conor Durie who played LIAM KINCH into the box to fire the ball into the top corner from 12 yards out. 

Even with only two minutes to play, the game still had a final twist.  Jack Hynd blocked a cross which ran through to goalkeeper Andrew Jackson at the edge of the six yard box.  Inexplicably, the referee awarded a free kick for a back pass, and when it was played across the front of goal, it was scooped onto the junction of post and bar.  The Norries cleared and the final whistle drew an end to an enthralling encounter. 

This was a good win for the Norries, as they worked off more of the ring-rust after the long winter break.  Castlebridge competed well from start to finish and will give any team problems, particularly on their own patch.  Hopefully, the weather will hold up and we'll get regular games through to the spring.