New Marske 3 - Cumby Rovers 1
The new season finally wound it's way around and we had to open our account against Cumby Rovers, who looked as they lined up a much taller physical side than last year.
It was a slight subdued start to the game as both sides tried to find their feet, with Cumby winning the first corner and the first shot at goal coming from us, from a free kick on the right by Liam, that lacked power as it went into the keepers arms. Our first scare came from a Cumby corner that Dougy did well to clear off the line.
It got worse after nine minutes when Cumby took the lead. A half-hearted attempt at a tackle by Jack saw a Cumby player break away and put the ball into the net. 0-1 to Cumby. Shots by Ben and Liam followed, but neither bothered the keeper as we pushed forwards looking for the equaliser. Liam pulled free of the Cumby defence but couldn't put his shot on target.
Cumby nearly got away again when Bash was dispossessed on the half way line when trying to beat a Cumby player, he managed to recover enough to hold play up while the defence got back to cover. We were getting closer and closer to breaking through, but the Cumby defence was managing to stand firm, with the occassional dangerous attack to keep our defence on their toes. One of these came when a poor ball to Jack from Dougy saw a Cumby attacker nip in and race off down the wing. The shot went across the face of the goal however and out for a goal kick.
We were starting to play some nice football, culmanating with a lovely passing move, from defence right up the pitch, that Cumby couldn't do anything about. The pressure was mounting with Danny battling inside the box and putting Cumby under pressure. A shot by Greg from a corner however, had more chance of clipping the corner flag than the woodwork!
Our football was getting better all the time, and the general feeling was that a goal would be along shortly. frank got his first shot of note when he broke clear of the defence, but his shot was well held by the keeper. We managed to pin Cumby deep in their half with a number of throw-ins, but our movement was poor with not much happening. That was until Jack appeared, well away from his defensive position to break through the Cumby defence into the box. Unfortunately his control let him down as the ball ran out for a goal kick at the last minute.
The pressure was steadily mounting as shots came in from Liam, Conor and Frank. It was good to see that the early goal hadn't unsettled us as we continued to move the ball around. The game was stopped for a free kick to us and a talking to from the referee for Danny and a Cumby player.
Half-time: New Marske 0 - Cumby Rovers 1
Even though we were one down at half time our general play was suggesting that we would get back into the game. Half time saw Johnny come on to replace Ben Leaper. Cumby were straight onto the attack and as we broke it up, Johnny broke clear and played the ball to Liam, who saw his cross go narrowly wide of the goal. Johnny followed up a minute later with a weakly hit shot that wasn't going to trouble Cumby.
The pressure was building on Cumby in the early minutes of the half and after 5 minutes of the half the goal finally came. From a throw the ball went to Danny who hit a cross into the box that sailed over the keeper into the net. To make the score 1-1.
The game got a bit broken up as both teams tried to exert their authority, and Greg was the next player to get a talking to off the referee.After 52 minutes we finally took the lead in the game. We were under pressure from Cumby when a long ball sent Frank away, who rounded the keeper before putting the ball into the empty net. 2-1 to New Marske.
Frank was really starting to cause the Cumby defence problems with a number of chances coming his way, and we nearly got our third goal from a corner when Jack and Andy nearly managed to poke the ball home, but it wasn't to be. The Cumby defence was rocking as another ball into the box saw the defence flap at the ball as it went narrowly past the post.
Cumby were being pinned back as attack after attack came their way, but we couldn't find the goal that should kill them off. Our play was getting slicker as the game progressed, and Cumby were struggling to get out of their half. A late tackle just outside the box on Frank saw a low free kick head towards the keeper, who managed to parry it away. The game was starting to get a bit niggly between the two teams, as Johnny and Danny worked hard in midfield.
Efforts by Danny and Frank went close, but we still couldn't find the killer goal. That was until the 71st minute, when we broke up a Cumby attack on the edge of our box, before clearing the ball forward, releasing Frank who raced away to make the score 3-1 to New Marske.
We were finding plenty of space on the pitch as we continued to push Cumby back. They did manage a quick break away, and Dean was called on to make a smart save to deny them a goal scoring chance. Pushing forward for a fourth goal, we saw a very rare occurence as Johnny hit a right footed shot from just outside the box, it din't give the Cumby keeper any problems though.
Another free kick in a great position just outside the box, saw Liam hit a poor shot that enabled Cumby to mount a dangerous looking break. The defence managed to hold him up enough as help got back in time to clear the danger. Another ball forward saw Frank once more set chase, this time the defender cleared the ball early enough to avert any danger. Frank pulled up with what initially looked to be cramp, but turned out to be a hamstring injury. A real shame for Frank who had a great game up front, pressurising the Cumby defence. He was replaced by Matty for the remaining few minutes of the game.
Final Score: New Marske 3 - Cumby Rovers 1
MOTM:- : Robert Douglas
Other images from the game...
