MATCH REPORT - LATE LATE SHOW SENDS NORTON THROUGH INTO NEXT ROUND

Norton 2 v 1 Old Plymouthians Res

11th October 2008 (H-T 0-1)

Goals: Ashley Myres 2

Man of the Match: Daron Olawale

Ashley Myres continued his rich vien of goalscoring form to grab a brace to claw Norton into the next round of the cup. Goals came in the dying embers of a game that looked all but lost to all but the Garrett Park faithful.

Given that Norton went out of this cup around the same point last season, here layeth a lesson in ‘how not to under estimate you opponent and value your team mates’.

Recent results between both clubs showed Norton registering 5 goals against this team, but this time around O.P things were going to be a lot different. OP set their stall out to be discipline and efficient bossing the middle of the park during opening 15 mins with sharp passes making it difficult for Norton to get a grip in the game. When Norton did have the ball, lacklustre decision making and poor distribution led to frustration within the camp. As a result O.P grew in confidence and deservedly scored from after Ashley got caught in possession in the centre of the park. Leading to a swift O.P break that drew a foul from Ernest in the box. OP's number 10 coolly dispatch penalty gave Greg little chance. OP went onto dictate the play, countering Norton’s charge with swift counter attacks. As for the home side, their frustrations grew. This was partly due to poor ball retention, however much of this was down our unique ability to argue over trivial matters during play. In short, Norton was awful and lacked creativity. O.P should have been at least 2 or 3 goals up following the amount of chances created. However the defensive interventions of Ernest Owusu making an impressive contribution at centre back and all round game of Daron Olawale kept OP at bay. Half time could not have come sooner.

Constructive words from the captain Robert and Howard were needed and Norton came out in the second half more purposeful and direct. However, O.P still created chances to kill the game off. O.P number 10 by far their best player led the search for that second goal. Only poor finishing and the efforts of Greg kept them at bay. Understandably with weather conditions similar to that of our first encounter OP began to tire. Despite this OP’s rare guard continued to produce some sterling blockages in defence of their precious lead. When their defence was breached they found an OP goalkeeper in fine form. A point epitomised in the 57th minute when Andy Castle fierce spot kick was brilliantly tipped over by their number 1. OP was buoyed by this but so was Norton as Howard gave the signal for Mark Tcheang and Joseph Muvunyi to specifically join the attack. With the game drifting into cup exit for Norton, players began to fade and lacked ideas. Shots on OP’s goal rained in from impossible angles as bickering developed among Norton players. The changing point of the game came in the 70th mins when manager Howard introduced Tobrise Chinosa and made the bold decision and change the formation to 3-5-2. Within a few minutes the direct running from Tobrise and Darren made the telling difference. Despite this, Norton suffered a couple of counter attacking scares when in 81st minute a 1 on 1 was missed by the impressive O.P number 10. Then on 85th minute Greg brilliantly held onto a free kick awarded centre of goal with 3 OP forwards rushing in for the follow up. Then came the breakthrough on 87 mins following a fine solo run from Tobrise centre left of the park, beating two players to cross for Ashley Myers to volley home. Although, the keeper got a hand to the ball but Ashley’s shot had enough power on it to creep inside the bottom left corner of the goal. Looking refreshed and full of running up went the battle cry “Get the ball”! Outnumbered and in some respects out muscled through the presence of Tobrise, Andy, Frank Hamilton and Ernest meant O.P creative juices were suffocated. Strong tackling from Rob and Luis emphasised Norton’s determination to settle the match in normal time, and so they did. The Second Goal came a minute before injury time following a brave header from Tobrise. Robert Gavin collected the ball and played a lovely pass out to Darren, who’s low cross to the edge of the box found Ashley Myers, who miss-hit his shot to beat the keeper again.


A sense of relief was apparent at the final whistle blew, however 2nd round here we come!!


MOM Darren Olawale