MATCH REPORT - NORTON DIG IN AGAINST THE WARROIRS

Norton 2 v 1 Cheam Village Warriors Res

1st November 2008 (H-T 0-1)

Goals: Jonathan McKibben 2

Man of the Match: Jonathan McKibben

Jonathan McKibben continued his rich vien of goalscoring form to grab a brace to see of the challenge of Cheam Village Warriors (CVW). Please note it wasn't plain sailing, CVM typically dogged can definitely play. However they can also rue themselves unlucky to have been paired against a Norton side also determine to protect what they hold.

Norton set about their business in the opening exchanges with purpose twice coming close through long range efforts from Dean Barrett and Moritz Martin. With conditions awful for ducks let alone footballers, a midfield battle ensued. Involving all 20 determine players this was a match for men and a fantastic contest. No half measures were taken as players from both camps rolled up their sleeves and dug in for a long afternoon.

The breakthrough came midway through the first half. Following a period of sustained pressure, Howard Lewis who had a shaky start contributed to a deserved opening goal for his side. When his throw-in was flicked on by Andrew Castle and met by Jonathan McKibben with Dean Barrett in close attendance. McKibben got the final touch to increase his impressive goal to games ratio. Going a goal behind sparked CVW into life which resulted in their best football of the match. Do or die efforts to prevent an equalising goal or even a shot on target was epitomised through some brave defending by Davide Enrico and Rob Gavin.

On 39th Minute Tom Webster gave away a stone wall penalty which was adjudged outside the box. Fortunately the fierce shot that was to follow was manfully blocked by Davide who was to take no further part in the match following an assessment at half-time.

Whether conditions worsened as Norton played into the driving wind. For 20 minutes both teams cancelled each other out with play breaking down in midfield on numerous occasions. On the 68th minute Jonathan McKibben capped a fine move but brilliantly dispatching an unstoppable shot pass the hapless CVM keeper. Two - nil Norton. With the game drifting to a happy conclusion CVM hit back with a well worked goal. This set up an edgy last 5 minutes for the home side. However with a reputation for having one of the best defences in the division to maintain, it wasn't going to be easy for CVM. This was typified by Greg following a double save to ensure his side kept all three points.

Given this game was a 6 pointer the enormity of the situation was apparent at the final whistle. Prior to the start of the match CVM were 4th in the table, a place below us. Hence it was a good result for Norton FC!

Man of the match: Jonathan McKibben