Torpedo Consett Round Up

Torpedo Consett 3 - 1 Coxhoe United Cougars

Great pressure right from the start and after 1 minutes it paid off with Joe R battling hard in the centre and feeding Liam who was finding space on the left. Liam slotted the ball home with aplomb!

The goal was followed in the 3rd minute by 2 corners with Liam producing a couple of beautifully flighted balls but to no avail.

Into the 4th minute, after more good work by Ben and Joe, James showed his predatory instincts to grab a well earned second. Torpedo had gotten into their stride early and were beginning to produce some exquisite football.A fifth minute corner and later a shot from Joe continued the pressure leaving Coxhoe struggling in Torpedo's wake.

The move of the match followed. Joe R fed Ben who pushed the ball across the park to James who then supplied Liam with a deft pass. Liam created an opening and lashed the ball just wide of the postit was all Torpedo.

George was expertly marshalling the speedy left winger and Joe H made vital tackles to break up the play. It wasn't until the 9th minute that Coxhoe produced their first real chance. It was a messy affair and somehow the ball broke to their centre forward but his shot was expertly snuffed out by the ever alert Cat.

Joe R then went close at the other end and then, in the 12th minute, Liam produced a pile driver but the ball broke unluckily in favour of Coxhoe and their swift counter attack resulted in a well taken goal. 2-1.

A half time reshuffle was needed when George hobbled off with a troublesome foot problem. Joe R was asked to sit in front of the back 2 and Ben replaced George at right back. Cameron went in the middle up front and got straight into the battle.

After the break, Liam again shot narrowly wide and Joe R and Joe H combined to clear a dangerous Coxhoe move.

The game was in a lull but that's just when a predator is likely to strike. On 20 minutes a superb Liam cross was met brilliantly at the far post by James who squeezed the ball in for 3-1.

The noise from the terraces was deafening and there was a strong smell of victory in the air but Torpedo were determined to stay focused.

Coxhoe were continually frustrated by the hard work and guile shown by Joe H and Ben. Torpedo were sensing that the opposition were losing heart.

In the 26th minute James was unlucky as he pushed into the box and tested the keeper again. Ben was helping all over the pitch and showed his bravery as he charged down an attempted Coxhoe clearance but a goal kick was the result.

Cameron was getting more into the game and his hard work continued to help Torpedo dominate the midfield battle. Cameron admitted later that he'd been glad that he'd kept to his strict fish and salad diet but said that the burger van had looked tempting.

The last minute saw Liam go close again with a trademark drive towards goal.

M o M - Joe Hume Best Attitude - Joe Robson Ref - 9/10

Saturday Sept 8th 2007 1.05pm

Torpedo Consett DX 4 Coxhoe United Cougars 0

The afternoon was warming up and the importance of keeping up the fluid intake was there for all to see.

DX were like terriers snapping at the heels of their opponents and their attitude was exemplified by the Cramb twins.

Jack Cramb was tackling like a man possessed and the strength shown by him and Alex P in midfield had Coxhoe on the back foot from the off.

It was the 3rd minute when this midfield pairing combined and a telling ball was pumped into the box where Daniel and Alex C had closed in to cause confusion in the Coxhoe defence. They paid the price for not clearing their lines and Alex C pounced to force the ball home at close range.

Coxhoe were leaving a large gap between their midfield and attack, leaving 2 and sometimes 3 forwards close to the DX goal.

This didn't phase Olly and Callum at the back who refused to be sucked into no-man's land.

Their heads were constantly turning to ensure no-one had snuck behind and their communication ensured Jack came back to assist when needed.

On 10 minutes Jack won the ball and fed Daniel down the right, his pace took him to the bi-line and his cross cum shot hit the outside of the post.

A Coxhoe injury on 12 minutes gave both teams the chance to draw breath but the half finished with some typical tenacity from Jack and Daniel who were forcing throw-in after throw-in down the right.

The 2nd half saw DX kicking towards the sun but Harry in goal showed great focus to come out and snuff out a couple of early Coxhoe moves.

It was the 17th minute when DX lifted the pressure with a crucial 2nd goal. Daniel moved forward with menace while Alex C and Alex P were creating mayhem by taking defensive runners with them. Alex P picked up the ball on the edge of the box and powered the ball over the line leaving the keeper grasping at thin air.

2 minutes later and it was 3-0. Jack had joined the 3 attackers knowing that Olly and Callum could handle anything over the top. Alex P got the ball out to Daniel who lifted the ball crossfield for the ever dangerous Alex C to move onto. Alex C then pushed closer to goal and finished to send the crowd into raptures.

It was the 20th minute when Sam was sent into the fray, replacing Alex C. Calum continued to time his tackles perfectly and Harry pounced on a couple of loose balls, the second innocuous challenge seeing the Coxhoe physio on the pitch to treat an injury. Olly's pace saw him cover across the back line superbly and Coxhoe were becoming frustrated.

On 23 minutes the action was at the other end where the Coxhoe keeper pulled off 2 great saves from Daniel who had shot and then gone in for the follow up. Sam was getting into the pace of the game and on 25 minutes he pounced on a loose ball to the left of the box. He only had one thing on his mind as he met the ball first time and drove it, torpedo-like under the keepers despairing dive. Tracey somersaulted down the touchline with delight.

Jacob was on for Jack and tackled and harried down the left working throw-ins all the while. Olly was moved into the centre in front of the defence and his close control took him deep into the attacking half. He combined with Alex and the resultant Olly shot was just wide. Calum continued the captain's job to the end and guided Jacob through the final minutes.

M o M - Alex Cramb Best Attitude - Olly ST Julian Ref - 6/10 (got in way of 2 DX breaks - Mick made him aware of his error !)

Saturday 8th September

Torpedo Consett DX 2 Castletown United 2

Another thriller. This game was the curtain raiser for DX and by how well they started. Within 30 seconds they forced a corner which resulted in a fine save by the Castletown keeper. On two minutes some lovely interaction seen the ball being played onto Daniel Drummond who made a great run into the area only to see his shot saved by the keeper. On 4 minutes the breakthrough came or so we thought. Callum Brooks made a great clearance and it was Alex Cramb who forced the ball past the advancing keeper as defenders went kamikaze in the box. The ball was actually in the net but the ref who may have been related to a certain character in a certain pirate adventure decided otherwise. Good luck Mr Pew with the rest of the season!

Callum brooks was making some big tackles, the sort of tackles that win you games and give confidence to all. Daniel the poacher Drummond also sensed the upper edge and started running around like a madman trying to latch onto everything. He played in the regal Emperor Ming who blazed a shot just over the bar as the keeper watched in horror and subsequently major relief.

Olly St Julian had started pushing on and playing the pressure game and this nearly paid off when a great tackle seen him move into space and he was just out done on the edge of the box when a defender got his toe on the ball to stop Olly letting fly a Saint special.

Let's not forget Alex Pearson who was a colossus in this game. He battled and fought every ball and was fiercely backed by Jackie Cramb who was superb and had one of the best half's ever.

It was half time and 0-0 but how they deserved more. We did not wait long for the breakthrough and it was a Torpedo vintage goal. One of the best team worked goals I have seen at this level. Olly picked the ball up in our half and played a first timer to Daniel Drummond who took a touch and played in Alex Pearson. Just when you thought he was going to have a go himself he played a beautiful pass to Ming the Merciless who deftly lifted the ball over the advancing keeper and into the net. What a goal!

Two minutes later it was two after another great move involving Daniel Drummond and Alex Cramb who grabbed another.

Callum Brooks made a great clearance as Castletown tried to get back into the game. The pace of the game was fast and furious and out of nothing it was to change. Mr Pew gave a very dubious 50/50 tackle to Castletown as a free kick and a brilliant finish seen it pass Harry Lapsatis who had been superb between the posts in his Torpedo debut.

Two minutes later and disaster struck as Castletown made a good forage down the flank only to see a man slip unmarked into the box to score the equaliser. Harry had no chance and he stamped the ground in frustration.

DX tried in vain to get back in. Jacob Mac Shane had played a great ball into Daniel only to force another great save from the in form Castletown Keeper. Sam Thackeray made his debut and had a fine performance. The ref blew to cat calls and accusations and DX had a point when they should have had three!

Man Of The Match - many contenders but Olly St Julian Peter Haney Best Attitude award Callum Brooks Ref 4/10

Torpedo Consett 0 East Durham United Harriers 4

A great start seen Big Joe Hume the Langley Park Legend get the better of the Harriers attack and play in Joe Robson who passed to Liam only to see his shot fly wide. A minute later Joe had a go himself but his left foot was not as trusty today and it went wide of the left hand upright.

We were struggling as George "the Olympian" was injured and Liam was feeling the strain too. Ben Parkes was forced into the right back role at gun point and Cameron Hume had a baptism of fire as midfield general. We played some great football but fatigue was ever present and the heat was also taking is toll. Against the run of play we went 1-0 down and were caught flat footed at the back.

James "Hippy" Wilkinson whose parents did sterling service on the touchline played with some composure as he twice got past the Harriers defence only to see the move break down due to good defending in numbers by the Durham outfit.

Half time arrived and we were still looking good for a point at least.

The second half kicked off with Ben Parkes skipping past two defenders and playing in James who got pushed off the ball but without any action from the ref. Ben had ran every inch of the pitch and was rejoined by George who so bravely wanted to play even though his hamstring was giving him serious gip.

A great move involving Cameron, Liam and James caused a stir among the Consett Ultras who line the West line of the pitch - the ball ultimately fell to Joe who hit a good strike only to see it blocked by the outstretched foot of the Harriers reliable number 3.

George was really struggling and he could obviously not continue and as we went 2-0 down it was not looking good. We were tired and with Liam still not 100% and Ben bravely battling it out on the right it was only a matter of time. Big Joe ran ragged but could not contain the Harriers ho were going in for the kill like a pride of lions closing in on an injured wildebeest.

Funnily enough who should pop up with something sublime? The Cat of course with one of the best saves I have ever seen. Two great diving parries from point blank range with no thought for safety or personal injury. What a hero. Thing is the goalmouth was now like the jaws of a pinball machine and I was desperate for the whistle to go.

We had by now lost the will to live and went another goal down as the lads ran out of steam. It was now 150 degrees and when the 4-0 result was blown on the final whistle we were all just done in mentally and physically.

That's football. We will learn from this and bounce back next week!

Man of the Match award Ben Parkes Peter Haney Award James Wilkinson Ref 8/10