The Railway

Date:	17 Nov 2007
Competition:	County Senior League Div 2
Home/ Away:	Away
Score:	2-0

Match Report

goal in each half from Danny McKenzie secured another 3 points for Sheffield's Reserve team at the Firth Rixson Ground against a big strong Railway side.

Tom Carney was impressive early on and caused the home defence some trouble with a free kick; unfortunately no-one was on the end of it. McKenzie got his first opportunity when Gary Townsend put him through on goal following a good move; the youngster's shot was palmed away by the keeper. Eamonn Chapman was fouled on the edge of the area and Carney hit the bar with a superbly taken free kick with the keeper stranded. Sheffield's next chance came to Keith Cronin who got a shot away in a crowded area; it took a good block to keep it out. The Sheffield fowards were getting a bit frustrated to be caught offside on occasions; on one such instance Townsend was set one on one with the keeper from a Carney free kick but was unfortunate to be adjudged offside. His next opportunity came after Loyd Gelsthorpe started a move at left back, Cronin put a great ball through to Townsend on the edge of the area, his turn and shot looked a goal all the way but the keeper did very well to tip it over. On 31 minutes Townsend set up the goal when he put through a great pass to Carney who beat the offside trap on the left hand side and his ball found McKenzie in acres of space in the area and he side footed the ball as cool as you like into the goal. Sheffield went close on two further occasions; firstly Townsend went close receiving a well struck free kick from McKenzie and then Mark Oliver put McKenzie through and his shot was palmed away. A one sided half finished 1 - 0 to Sheffield.

The second half started in positive fashion for Sheffield; the Blackburn keeper had to make a good catch to deny Townsend when he had taken advantage of a poor shout from a defender. However with Sheffield not being able to extend their lead, Blackburn ad a bit of a spell and came more into the game, and had a great opportunity on the hour and should have scored but the shot was screwed wide of the post. A let off. Townsend was replaced by Danny Moore on 66 minutes and he made an immediate impact when Carney provided him a great ball; Moore took it into the area and his blocked shot fell to McKenzie who was following up and he composed himself and struck the ball home to make it 2 - 0 to Sheffield. Baba Eskante replaced McKenzie with 5 minutes remaining and he almost provided Moore with a scoring opportunity but the striker had strayed offside.

With top two Caribbean Sports and Millmoor Juniors having played out a draw, its all to play for next week when Sheffield in third spot take on Caribbeans at Ecclesfield on November 24th.

Sheffield Reserves: Matt Scanlon, Jon Linnell (Tom Carnall), Lloyd Gelsthorpe, Andy Taylor, George Barnes, Mark Oliver, Eamonn Chapman, Tom Carney, Danny McKenzie (Baba Eskante), Gary Townsend (Danny Moore), Keith Cronin, Chris Bradley, James Foster