Caribbean Sports

Date:	24 Nov 2007
Competition:	County Senior League Div 2
Home/ Away:	Away
Score:	2-1

Match Report

Sheffield's Reserves side got a well deserved win at Caribbean Sports thanks to a second half penalty from Andy Taylor, which cancelled out Michael Redhead's first half spot kick for the hosts with Danny Moore netting the winner after 72 minutes. Both sides made a positive start to the match and it was Sheffield first to show with Eskante getting a good first touch to put Moore through; his cross to Tom Carney had just too much on it for the midfielder. Another good move involving keith Cronin sent Adriano Portaluri racing to the edge of the area his cross needed some better movement in the box; as it was the home side cleared the danger. Caribbean then had a couple of efforts but the defence held firm and broke away after clearing a free kick. Eskante was very lively and showed a good touch and turn to put Portaluri on goal but his shot lacked power his time. Taylor and Barnes were clearing anything that Caribbean threw at them and Darren Holmes (making his first appearance for the reserves after illness had kept him out of the first team line up) was getting into the game more and he created a couple of opportunities and received a good ball from the hard working Eske; Holmes fierce shot was delflected for a corner. Carney took it short to Holmes and his delivery was superb but Barnes, with the goal at his mercy missed from close range. As Sports broke away Sheffield were gratful that the striker lost control in the 6 yard box when 1 on 1 with Sayles. Caribbean took the lead after 43 minutes when Brissett was tripped in the area; Michael Redhead took the kick. From the restart Taylor set up Moore with a gret ball; he took it into the box but his next touch was too strong and the keeper collected. Sheffield started the second half srongly; Mark Oliver gave Carney the opportunity to cross the ball but there was no-one on the end of it. Holmes had the next half chance; a nice bit of football involving Cronin and Carney set him to shoot a left foot efort wide. Sheffield then had a shout for a penalty waved away when Eskante went down in the box under a challenge; a corner was awarded and Sheffield were now pressing hard for the equaliser. Chris Bradley replaced Portaluri just after the hour and then Andy Taylor hit a superb effort from 25 yards which Ahmed managed to tip over; Mark Oliver then had an effort and on 67 minutes Sheffield got a breakthrough when a defender handled an innocuous ball into the box. Taylor stepped up and slammed the ball home with a confident strike to level the scores. Sheffield took the lead when Cronin got the ball into the box; he didn't seem to be going anywhere but a short pass found Eskante and Moore who was lurking in the 6 yard area steered the ball home. This galvanised Caribbean who had a couple of chances as they tried to restore parity; when Sheffield broke these attacks they looked dangerous; Carney wen close from a free kick, Cronin had a shot well saved and Taylor tried another spectacular effort which the keeper tipped round the post. The football kept going until the final whistle - it was a great contest and Sheffield Reserves had risen to the challenge of playng a really useful looking Caribbean side.

Team: Sayles, Carnall, Barnes, Taylor, Holmes, Oliver, Portaluri, Carney, Eskante, Moore, Cronin, Bradley, Kavanagh, Foster, Jones