Friendly result 19/8/10

[Woodmanaldo]

Shortlanesend 3 vs Grampound Reserves 3

Grampound Reserves of Duchy 5 let a 2 goal lead slip against Shortlanesend of the West Cornwall Sunday League - Division 1. Despite having a few regulars missing Grampound Reserves still had a decent squad in order to visit Shortlanesend.

Grampound started the better of the teams knocking the ball round well, Darren Endean had a chance smothered by the Shortlanesend goalkeeper before Grampound took the lead via Jules Woodman's shin/knee following a corner. Endean soon added a second getting infront of his marker to covert a low Joe Dunn cross at the near post. Grampound seemed to choose the wrong option in the final 3rd & with a bit more composure on the ball could have been out of sight by half-time. Shortlanesend committed a lot of players when going forward & they did hit a post & have a goal disallowed for offside as they threatened on the break.

Grampound made a number of changes at half-time which seemed to disrupt the teams rhythem & Ryan Counter reduced the arrears for Shortlanesend despite Grampound having a number of chances to clear the ball. A good move down the left involving Brad Robinson & Theo Mullan resulted in Jon Ridd laying the ball off to Endean to sidefoot home to put Grampound 3-1 up. This was probably the only time all half that Grampound strung 3 passes together as possession was surrendered all too easily. Grampound gave the ball away on the edge of the Shortlanesend area and were hit with a quick break & a delightful chip made the score 3-2 (unsure of scorer). Mullan tested the unorthodox Shortlanesend keeper from range who made a decent save but Grampound's final ball was lacking & the team were punished for failing to kill off a team who were certainly there for the taking when Counter cut in from the Shortlanesend right-wing to fire under Sweet to make the score 3-3 in the last couple of minutes.

Shortlanesend were a lot better going forward than they were at the back, having gained promotion & won a cup last season they weren't to be taken lightly & the few players I know in there side all play Falmouth Helston 1 (although none of them played in defence!). Although if this was a league game I would view it as 2 points dropped rather than 1 point gained as we should have killed the game off in the first half. Good luck for the season & thanks for the game :thumbsup: