Page 3 - Cribbs FC v Chipping Sodbury 261221

Today’s Game

Firstly, Cribbs FC would like to extend a very warm welcome to the
visiting players, team management, supporters and officials of Chipping
Sodbury, together with the match officials for today’s Hellenic League
match. We hope that you enjoy your visit to the Lawns.
Match Reports
Last Saturday saw us take on Top Seven rivals Bradford Town.
Cribbs started the better of the two sides with the home side forcing
some early set pieces which caused a bit of trouble in the Bradford
backline although, eventually no clear-cut opportunities came from
them.
The opening half was played in the middle third of the pitch where both
teams were equally as committed to the game. That commitment saw
the away side pick up 2 bookings in the opening half for cynical
challenges on Cribbs players in and around the centre circle.
The first and best opportunity of the first half fell to Cribbs defender Ross
McErlain. The central defender powered a header towards the top corner
from close range following a whipped, swinging corner from the left-
hand side. His header would have been destined for the net if not for the
flying Bradford town goalkeeper who tipped his effort over the bar.
Bradford responded with a few minutes of sustained pressure in and
around the Cribbs area, however, the back four had an answer to
everything posed of them and they saw it through to half-time.
The second half continued in the same, physical, vein as the first. The
away side picked up another booking for scything down Steve Murray as
he ran with the ball down the Cribbs left.
Cribbs had the ball in the net as Ryan Radford converted at the back post
following a deep cross from the left. However, the winger was called
offside, and the whistle had blown before he put the ball in the net.
In the following moments, both sides had decent chances to steal the
win. Firstly, Steve Murray played a neat one-two to create space for
himself to fire just wide of the Bradford post. Two moments later, Cribbs
Keeper, Liam Kingston was called into action to acrobatically tip a well-
struck effort over the bar.
In the dying minutes Murray went down in the area but the referee
pointed to the corner rather than to the penalty spot. The score line
remained nil-nil and both sides dropped a place to seventh and fifth
respectively.
This Afternoon’s Opponents
We visited the Sods earlier in the season emerging victorious despite
playing for 75 minutes with ten men.
Steve Murray opened the scoring, bursting onto a through ball to slot
home and Ryan Radford extended the lead before half-time with a
stunning volley. Murray added a third in the second half to seal the
three-nil victory.
Our opponents currently sit 18th in the table and have picked up one
point from the last six matches.
In this league it is impossible to take anything for granted and a hard
match for sure. This fixture often does not go with the formbook like
most local derbies!
As always, get behind the boys!!! UTC