Match Report

Sun February 1st

vs Kennoway

An excellent display by the 94s in an evenly-balanced match against a very good Kennoway side.  Some unfortunate decisions make the difference after the Norries take an early lead. 

It was cold, wet and windy up in Kennoway as a depleted Norries side faced the league leaders.  After a tight opening, the Norries began to gain control of the midfield area.  A ball wide left was picked up by ALLY BROWN on the edge of the box, and he cut inside the full back to fire an unstoppable shot across the keeper and into the net.  Now, the Norries pushed for a second and despite some half chances, they could not increase their lead. 

They were made to pay late in the first period, when an innocuous challenge on the edge of the box was penalised by the referee.  The resulting free kick ricocheted into the six yard box and was knocked home by a Kennoway attacker. 

The game now swung from end to end, as both teams pushed for an advantage.   But defences held firm, and allowed very few clear-cut chances.  As the game approached its final fifteen minutes, another of several disputed free kicks gave Kennoway a chance to again play the ball into the Norries box.  This time the home striker got the run on the defence and headed firmly home.

Stung by a feeling of injustice, the Norries rallied and as the game opened up, there were chances at both ends.  Even into the last minute, Jack Matson pushed forward and worked himself free in the box .  But he just failed to make a clean contact and the home 'keeper smothered his shot. 

This was an excellent performance by the Norries, who came away disappointed at the way in which the game was decided.  It had been a first-class, competitive match and both sides had shown some real quality in difficult conditions.