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Match Reports

Away League match v St Johns - 2nd March 2008

For our final game of the season we were at a very windy St Johns. Shelf United played the first half against the wind and although we dominated play, often found it difficult to get clear cut chances to score. Shelf United forced a corner in the first minute which from a Denny cross Damo managed to get a shot in just wide. From our second corner the ball bobbled around the box and eventually Jordan M sent a rising shot past the keeper into the net for the lead. Shelf United continued to press and a good run by Ant saw his shot go just wide. Ant scored a minute later, following a good pass from Phil, but the goal was ruled out for offside. Karl and Phil then combined, with Phil crossing for Ant, who shot just wide. Saint John eventually broke and earned their first corner midway through the first half and from this corner, it was Shelf United who almost scored as the ball was cleared. Shelf United had a 3 on 2, but could only manage to get a corner from the break. From the corner, Ant fired in with a great volley which was clearly over the line for a goal, but play was waved on. St John broke again and may have gone clear but for a superb tackle from John, coming over from his left back position. Shelf United attacked again down the left and from a Denny cross, Jordan M fired a volley just wide. Denny himself had a dipping shot from the edge of the box as the pressure grew from Shelf United. Shelf United made it 2 - 0 when Jordan T took a quick throw to Ant, who having flicked the ball over the defender's head fired the ball in off the far post. Jordan M had one more effort before half time, having done well to evade 3 defenders, but shot just wide.

Half time : St Johns 0 - Shelf United 2

Shelf United now had the wind in their favour, although it seemed to have died somewhat. In the 1st minute Shelf United earned a corner and Connor was on the end of the cross to fire home Shelf United's 3rd. A few minutes later and following good work from Tom, Jordan T fed Ant who scored with a good finish to make it 4. Shelf United made it 5 when John fed Karl in midfield who in turn fed Connor. Connor took the ball forward 10 yards before firing a long shot high above the keeper into the roof of the net. Damo then got a well deserved goal following good work from Ant who's shot was blocked. Damo scored from the rebound. By this time, Luke had replaced Jordan M and one of his first tasks was to drill an excellent cross over for Karl, steaming in at the far post to head home for Shelf United's 7th and their 100th League goal of the season. Karl then had a shot just over the bar after he was set up by Tom. Jordan T went in goal for the final 15 minutes giving Danny the chance to make a few good tackles in defence. Jordan M came back on to replace the impressive Denny and with almost the final kick of the match, found himself free on the left and shot past the keeper at the near post to complete Shelf United's scoring.

Final score: St Johns 0 - Shelf United 8.

A good result in the end with some excellent interplay at times. People who were betting on our loss were clueless as if they were wondering how to get money back from online casino. The first half was a bit of a slog, with the wind and a dogged St Johns defence to contend with. The win is always the first aim, but once the first few goals went in early in the 2nd half, the next aim was to beat the 100 goal barrier, which Shelf United managed, to cap a truly great season. More results and tables.

Away League match v Whitby - 24th February 2008

Shelf United chose to kick up the slope in the first half with the wind also against them and from the off Whitby took the game to Shelf United, winning a series of long throws down their left. After 10 minutes Whitby took the lead. A long hopeful ball was sent into our box and the biggest mistake was in allowing the ball to bounce as a Whitby forward took advantage of the panic it caused and managed a toe poke past the keeper. Shelf United tried an instant response when a corner was awarded on our left. Denny sent in a good cross which Damo headed towards goal, but the ball was cleared off the line and eventually to safety. Play was still frantic with Whitby having the better breaks. They almost scored again from a corner which saw a shot blocked by Connor resulting in a break upfield where Shelf United earned a corner. Shelf United started to settle down and after Jordan had made a good tackle the ball found it's way to Phil, breaking from midfield, he sent a great ball wide to Damo, who shot over the bar. Whitby came back and should have scored when put clear, but the shot was caught in the wind and went way over the bar. Shelf United earned a free kick on the left which John took, but was missed by defenders and attackers alike and went out for a goal kick. At the other end, Whitby broke and seemed ready to obtain a one on one, but for an excellent tackle by Tom. In keeping with the game, Shelf United broke back and a Whitby defender was adjudged to have passed back to the keeper and Shelf United were awarded an indirect free kick about 25 yards from goal. Connor took the kick expertly, sending the ball low and hard past the keeper's right, despite a slight touch, for the equaliser. The free kick was a bit harsh on Whitby, but nonetheless graciously accepted. Ant then produced the first of his trade mark breaks, having been sent clear by Karl, but he snatched at his shot and sent the ball wide of the post. Just before half time, Whitby obtained a needless corner resulting from indecision in our box. Shelf United were almost made to pay, but for a great block from Azz, (playing with broken fingers at right back instead of goalkeeper).

Half time: Whitby 1 - Shelf United 1

Shelf United now had the wind and slope in their favour and were expected to now dominate the remainder of the match. The early signs were good as Shelf United earned a corner on the left following good work from Karl. Denny sent in a low hard cross which was met by Damo at the near post who deflected a good shot past the keeper to give Shelf United the lead. Shelf United then had the opportunities in the next 15 minutes to put the game to bed. Connor took a kick on the left of midfield which was almost met by 3 attackers, but eventaully evaded all of them and went out for a goal kick. From a Denny long throw, Damo managed to lift the ball over the advancing keeper, but also over the bar. Ant was then sent on a sprint to the ball by Jordan and although pushed out left managed a great shot which produced an excellent save from the keeper. It was all Shelf United as from a Denny cross on the right, Phil managed a shot which was blocked and Karl picked the follow up and also had a shot blocked. What followed would have been the goal of the season, in any company. Denny managed another cross from the right and as the ball went over 3 of Whitby's s defenders, Ant, standing on the edge of the box launched himself into a fantastic overhead kick and no scuffed effort either, as the ball thundered towards goal. As it happened the keeper produced the save of the game, clawing away the ball down to his right. The mood suddenly changed and as the game entered it's last 15 minutes, Whitby found new strength and produced several chances and prolonged periods of attacking play to may be warrant an equaliser. It started with a mix up on Shelf United right which resulted in the Whitby left winger going free down the left and sending over a great cross which was headed just wide. Whitby thought they got their equaliser when following a bit of scrappy play, Tom was adjudged to have fouled in the box and a penalty was awarded against Shelf United. May be a bit harsh, but probably made up for the free kick which Shelf United were awarded in the first half. Whitby took the kick which was well struck, but too near the middle of the goal as Danny pounced on the ball and eventaully gathered to safety. Shelf United produced one more good break when Ant passed to Denny, who beat his man with a deft flick, before sending the ball onto Damo, who shot wide. Whitby pressed and pressed in the last 5 minutes, and it took a great tackle from John to prevent a one on one. Other than that Shelf United kept the shots down to a minimum as Whitby managed to spread the ball out to the wings, but sterling work from the defence reduced the effectiveness of any crosses.

Full time: Whitby 1 - Shelf United 2

A really hard earned victory which seals the Division title. With the slope and wind having a big influence on the game, it was no surprise that each team had the upper hand in each half they kicked down hill. In the first 20 minutes of the 2nd half, Shelf United were within a whisker of obtaining a score line which would have suggested a comfortable victory, but credit to Whitby, who found new strength and pegged Shelf United back, so that it was Shelf United who were grateful for the final whistle. A big well done to the players, not just for this match, but for the season as a whole.

Home League match v Cumby - 17th February 2008

Cumby were the opposition for our last home fixture of the season. May be Shelf United were expected to beat Cumby in any event, given their respective League standing. However Cumby compounded this by fielding only 9 players giving Shelf United the opportunity to win at ease, which they duly managed to do. Within a minute Denny found space in the box to side foot Shelf United's first. Five minutes later and Luke, playing as right midfield, found himself free on the left of the box and sent a good shot past their keeper to make it 2 - 0. The goals then flowed freely for the rest of the match. Ant scored his first with a good run and shot. Damo then found himself free having been set up by Jordan and duly scored past the keeper's left. With the ball being bounced around Cumby's penalty box, Tom managed to score a rare goal. Not sure if it was a deflection or shot, but Tom claimed it nonetheless. Damo then scored probably the goal of the game with a deft chip from the edge of the box to make it 6. Ant should have scored when having beat the keeper, the ball hit the post and went out for a goal kick. He made ammends a minute later when he ran, fully 30 yards from goal to side kick the ball past the keeper for Shelf United's 7th. A minute later and a similar type of goal, though this time it was John, who kept his composure despite a nose bleed from being so far upfield, and calmly beat the keeper with a low shot. Damo then headed just wide from a great Denny cross. Another great cross from Denny, following good work from Karl and Phil resulted in a volley from Ant, which beat the keeper to make it 9. Phil then produced a good defence splitting pass to Denny, who drove into the box and unselfishly pulled the ball back for Ant to tap in for Shelf United's 10th. Just before half time Karl retained posession and sent Phil on a run, who in turn sent Ant clear to score his 5th and Shelf United's 11th. The winning coefficients are looking great, so if you want to bet on them, all you need is to apply the right betting application.

Half time: Shelf United 11 - Cumby 0

Ant continued his goal scoring when Karl put him through following a good ball by Jordan. A copycat goal followed a minute late, the provider this time was John and the finisher being Damo. A minute later John was the provider yet again, sending in a good cross from the left, which Ant volleyed home. Damo was then sent clear by Karl and he kept his cool as he pushed the ball wide right of the keeper and scored from a narrow angle. Karl then got a deserved goal, playing a one-two with Ant before going clear and slot the ball past the keeper. By this time Haseeb and Shiraz had come on as subs and Connor and Tom swopping positions with Ant and Damo. So Tom's first task in his new centre forward role was to try and round the keeper. In doing so the keeper upended him and Tom put the resultant penalty away with ease. Connor was next to score with a low shot following a scramble in the box. Phil then sent a great ball through to Luke, who did well to keep his balance and shoot past the Cumby keeper for Shelf United's 19th. Jordan, who had been showing up well down the right, produced a great cross which Connor volleyed home to make it 20. Connor completed his hat trick a minute later with a headed goal from another Jordan cross. Connor then completed his own scoring blitz with a tap in when set up by Haseeb. As the game went into it's final minute Denny picked the ball up in the inside right position and sent a great curling shot to the keeper's left to complete the scoring. Juniors team information - here.

Final score: Shelf United 23 - Cumby 0

Not much was learnt. Cannot complain about the number of goals scored, although we may have expected a large number, given that Cumby came under strength. Credit to Cumby who tried to play throughout with no one sulking as the score got higher. For Shelf United its a case of well done having done all that could be expected of them.

Home League match v Arlington - 13th January 2008

The match was played in very windy conditions and Shelf United opted to play against the wind in the 1st half. Both teams had struggled to put out a full eleven, with Arlington having to start with 9 men, 2 players arriving late. This probably meant that Arlington were unable to take the first half advantage with the wind firmly in their favour. For much of the half, Shelf United were pegged back in their own half with clearances often getting caught in the wind and blown straight back at them. We did manage a few breaks, but often tried to shoot from outside the box, with the ball often just managing to reach the keeper. However, after 10 minutes, Damo was put clear and managed to slot a shot past the keeper to make it 1 - 0. Shelf United were starting to dominate, whilst still having the 2 man advantage. Luke earned a corner on the right. Phil sent over a great corner which evaded everyone. John collected near the left corner flag and returned the ball into the box. Damo managed to connect with Arlington keeper saving well. Shelf United then went through a stage of hurried clearnces, which just came back at them. Relief came when Arlington managed a good shot, just going wide of the left hand post. Phil then had a good run after receiving ther ball from Karl. He sent Ant away in the inside left channel. Ant looked set to score, but the keeper pulled off a great save. From another Shelf United corner, Shelf United almost scored, first when Ant managed a header which was blocked and then Haseeb also had a shot blocked. Shelf United were immediately caught out by a long clearance, which was touched on by an Arlington attacker, but Azz managed to hold onto well. Karl the sent a great ball down the left and Ant produced a great cross which saw a volley from Damo go just wide. Shelf United should have scored when Damo was put clear, his shot was blocked which went out wide right, to Luke, who crossed for Ant to hit the bar, with Damo having a further shot headed off the line. A minute late, however, and Jordan T sent a great ball down the right which gave Ant the opportunity to go clear and shoot past the keeper to make it 2 - 0 just before half time.

Half time: Shelf United 2 - Arlington 0

The 2nd half should have been all Shelf United. Arlington were still down to 10 men, with the 11th not arriving for another 10 minutes and now we had the wind. Although we did dominate territory, play was frantic as we failed to take full advantage of the wind. Arlington were the first to break and Connor then Jordan M, produced good tackles to prevent clear scoring opportunities. Shelf United did produce a good flowing move when Haseeb and Karl combined, the ball finding Phil in the inside left channel, who fed a ball through for Damo to shoot wide. Denny, who was now on for Luke, had a cross come shot which came back off the keeper, Haseeb scored his first of the season with a good follow up. Just after, Connor sent in a great long distance effort which the keeper saved well and then gathered as Ant came racing in for the rebound. Arlington threatened again and although John managed a good tackle, the ball found its way to another attacker who shot, only for Azz to pull off a good save. Shelf United were on the attack again and Ant produced a good effort with a shot on the turn. Shelf United scored again when Damo shot outside the box and although the keeper saved well, Damo's momentum allowed him to rush through a crowd of players and toe poke the rebound into the net to make it 4 - 0. Arlington's best chance of the game when an attacker was sent clear down the inside right with a shot which fizzed across the goal mouth and just wide of the left hand post. Shelf United scored one more when Conner made a tackle and fed the ball to Karl, who in turn passed to Phil. He managed a good through ball to Damo who shot past the keeper for his hat trick.

Final score: Shelf United 5 - Arlington 0.

The wind did spoil the game for both sides making the ball very hard to control. Arlington did very well to stop Shelf United playing, even when they lacked numbers. For the 2nd week running though, Shelf United were lack lustre. Clearances were often hurried and we are still to reach the heights of the controlled play we saw before Xmas. With a few more training sessions before our next game, may be we can sort things out. Otherwise a win is a win and 5 - 0 is as much as we could have hoped for before the match started.

Away League match v King Oswy - 6th January 2008

This was a rearranged fixture which involved consecutive visits to Hartlepool, albeit with the Xmas break in between. It seems that Shelf United still had Xmas pudding in the system as we started so flat and indeed it was Oswy who pushed for a goal in the opening stages. Following a Oswy attack, where Shelf United failed to clear their lines in a very scrappy passage of play, Oswy managed the first shot which was well saved by Azzy. Shelf United were just not in it and when Oswy broke again, they scored from long distance, but the goal was harshly ruled offside as an attacker, (who was hardly interfering with play) was stood in an offside position. Shelf United started to get more into the game and as in a few games this season, where we have started slow, it was hoped we would again go on to dominate play. Denny was struggling on the left and eventually had to make way for Luke, making his 1st appearance since the beginning of the season. It was Oswy, however, who were creating the better chances and getting good first time tackles in. They were almost unrecognisable from the team Shelf United had already beaten this season, with 10 men. Oswy almost scored again from a good shot on the edge of the box, but Connor made an excellent headed clearence. Shelf United finally got a goal scoring chance when Damo sent a ball over the top and although the keeper got there first, the ball bounced off him and into the path, although just behind, Jordan M. Jordan did his best to get a shot in, but the ball was blocked and eventually went out for a corner. Towards the end of the half, Shelf United did create a few chances with balls over the top, with Ant and Damo willing to bust a gut each time, but on each occasion the ball sped through to the keeper, or a defender managed to clear. Half time could not come fast enough for the manager, who read the riot act to the players.

Half time: King Oswy 0 - Shelf United 0

It seemed at first that the half time talk had been effective as Shelf United started brightly in the 2nd half. Jordan T made a good tackle and passed to Karl, who in turn sent a good through ball to Damo, but Damo pushed the ball a little too far ahead and Oswy cleared. Phil then sent a ball away on the right where Damo was fouled. Connor sent over the free kick which evaded everyone and allowed Oswy to break, but for the combined efforts of John and Danny, Oswy would have been clear. As it was, a corner is the most they earned which came to nothing. However, a few minutes later, Oswy got the breakthrough when Danny tackled wide on the left and sent the ball out for a corner. The resultant kick missed the pack in the middle and found an Oswy player at the far post, who made no mistake, firing past Azzy in the goal. Shelf United tried to press for an equaliser with John sending a good ball over the top which Oswy managed to clear. Oswy were awarded a free kick about 30 yards from goal. The kick was a simple chip down the middle, where an Oswy player latched onto the ball to fire home and probably settle the match.

Final score: King Oswy 2 - Shelf United 0

Hopefully this is just a blip as we get the Xmas festivities out of our system. Praise to King Oswy, who were well up for the game and played really well. However, we were stuck in first gear for almost the whole match. We never competed, especially the 2nd ball and we seemed to want to hit the ball long everytime, which is light years from the slick passing we have performed in the past few matches.

Away League match v Saint Francis - 16th December 2007

Casting our minds back to the reverse fixture, when St Francis dominated the 1st 15 minutes and could have been out of sight, by the time we started playing. It was important that we didn't start so slowly. As it was, Shelf United started reasonably well as an attacking force, but were much better defensively, with Jordan T and Danny making some telling tackles and Conner and Tom generally sweeping up from the middle. On the rare chance that a ball found its way through, Azzy was alert and gathered up any loose ball. It was almost 10 minutes before any significant chance was created and it was Shelf United who created, when a long ball from Jordan T found Jordan M and his shot was blocked for a corner. By this time the official Ref had joined the game and one of her first calls was to rule a goal out when a Shelf United player was adjudged to have fouled. Shelf United were now becoming more dominant, but it took a great tackle from Tom in preventing a St Francis player going free and shortly after Conner also provided a good tackle and then clearance, when Saint Francis threatened from a corner. After 15 minutes, Ant went on a great run, beating 4 players, after being set away by Danny, the ball eventually found Jordan M who fired wide from the right edge of the box. Shelf United scored after 20 minutes when Jordan M won a corner on the right. The ball was swung over and eventually reached Denny on the left hand side of the box having delayed any run into the box. He drilled the ball back into the box and found Jordan M who drilled the ball past the keeper to make it 1 - 0. A few minutes later and it was 2 - 0 when Jordan T made a tackle on the right and crossed for Ant to slide in at the far post and shoot past the keeper. To Saint Francis' credit they came back with an excellent flowing move which resulted in a good left wing cross, finding an attacker at the far post who gave Azz no chance to make it 2 - 1. For a few minutes it looked as if we had let Saint Francis back into the match, but when Damo and Karl combined to send Ant away, he showed great composure in curling a shot past the keeper to make it 3 - 1. Just before half time Karl almost made it 4 when after good work from Denny and Phil, Karl jinked his way into the box and tried a rising shot from a tight angle which just missed the angle of crossbar and post.

Half time: Saint Francis 1 - Shelf United 3.

Shelf United started the 2nd half much better and within a few minutes Damo had lobbed the St Francis back line and allowed Ant to go clear and prod home another goal for yet another hat trick to give Shelf United a 4 - 1 lead. Ant was sent clear a minute later but was pushed wide left. He still managed to turn and lay the ball back to Karl, who placed a shot just wide of the goal. The result was certainly sealed a minute later when Phil fed Damo who turned his marker one way then the other before unleashing a rising shot into the net to make it 5 - 1. Shelf United made it 6 - 1 when Denny won a corner on the left and when Denny himself swung the corner in, Conner steamed in at the near post to send a shot past the keeper into the net. Having secured the points barring a collapse, Shelf United were relaxed and started playing their best football of the season with some excellent short passing moves. Karl found himself free in the box and having jinked past 2 defenders, set up Phil who shot, but too near the keeper. Next Denny, sent in a long looping effort which had the keeper back peddling. The keeper did well to stop it going over the line and was then brave to block Ant as he steamed in for the rebound. Connor then tried a long speculative effort from well outside the box which went just wide. Next Denny sent a half volley just wide from a Damo right wing cross. Ant was then put through and having done brilliantly to beat his marker and put the ball over the keeper, he sent the ball over the bar. (Even goal machines miss). Just to prove it, Damo then had a great 'air kick' from a Jordan M cross when a connection would surely have resulted in a goal. However he made up for it a minute later when he was set up by Phil in the inside right channel and showing a burst of speed sent a great rising shot past the keeper to complete the scoring.

Final score: Saint Francis 1 - Shelf United 7.

Another excellent result. We deserved the win but Saint Francis, who we know to be one of the better sides in this division, had plenty of the ball. We just created great chances and put away a high proportion of them. While the score was low we played well but still hurried and always with a safety first attitude, which is not always a bad thing. However once the players knew the 3 points were secure, they played some excellent football with great short passing interplay to produce our best performance to date.

Home League match v King Oswy - 9th December 2007

A tricky match in any event, but injuries meant that Shelf United had to play with 10 men. The original pitch was unplayable, but such was King Oswy's determination to play the match, a 35 minute hunt for a pitch that was playable ended with a match on one of the college pitches. Even though we were down a man, it was Shelf United who pressed first with a Denny break after he was sent away by Karl. Oswy then pushed up the left wing and earned a free kick which seemed a little harsh. As we pushed out as a unit, one of our back line stayed put, playing Oswy on side. Instead of controlling the ball, as they had a 3 on one situation with the keeper, a first time lunge saw the ball hit the post and Azz dived to pick up the loose ball. Play was scrappy for the first ten minutes. Shelf United had a few good moves that came to nothing and Oswy were wasting ball, by playing balls over the top with too much pace, which Azzy collected comfortably. Shelf United then almost scored when Karl sent Ant away but the ball was pushed too close to the keeper and the chance was lost. It looked as though Jordan had broken the deadlock when he received the ball in the inside right position and a looping shot had the keeper beat, but went just over the bar. A minute later though, Shelf United got a goal when a free kick was awarded wide on the left touchline. Conner sent a great shot over the keeper. high to his left and into the net. Oswy then broke and but for an excellent block by Tom. would have been clean through. Oswy had another chance which came from a left wing throw in. The ball eventaully found its way central outside the penalty area, but a shot was sent in high and wide. Next it was Phil's turn to make a block and he showed great composure to set Denny away with a left foot pass. Denny's cross was saved by the keeper. Damo and Jordan then combined well down the right with a cross by Damo being blocked for a corner. Ant had a good chance when put through by Karl in a central position, but the shot was snatched and put wide.

Half time: Shelf United 1 - King Oswy 0.

Oswy had the advantage of the slope in the 2nd half and play by Shelf United was a bit tense in the first few minutes especially with such a slender lead. Oswy almost equalised in the 1st minute as Shelf United failed to clear their lines and a shot was sent in, just wide. Oswy applied more pressure as they won several throw-ins down the left and when Tom finally managed to clear, he was injured in the process and play was held up for a few minutes. John then made a good tackle and after side stepping his marker, sent Denny way, who may have scored, but pushed the ball too near the keeper. Ant was then put though by Jordan after a great burt of speed, but shot wide whilst under pressure from a defender. Jordan was working over time on the right of midfield and him and Phil managed to get in a tackle apiece which enabled Connor to come away with the ball and set Damo away. Play was forced out wide left and a cross from Denny eventually came back to him out on the left again. This time he sent in an excellent swerving shot which beat the keeper and nestled into the net to make it 2 - 0. Damo looked set to seal the match after beating 3 men on the edge of the box, his shot lacked power and the keeper saved. Ant was put through by Karl, but was forced out wide on the left of the penalty area. He managed to cut inside and crossed for Damo who produced a volley which went wide. Jordan was then set up as he ran through the inside right channel. His shot brought a fine save from the Oswy keeper. Shelf United looked comfortable at this point, but Oswy set the nerves going, (at least on the sidelines), by scoring a late goal. The move started on their right and as our defence moved over to meet the attack, Oswy were left with a man unmarked down the left. He made no mistake with a good shot into the roof of the net. Play could have been nervy from Shelf United in the fianl minutes, but they took the game to Oswy and for most part kept the ball well away from our box.

Full time: Shelf United 2 - King Oswy 1

In the circumstances an excellent result. Shelf United were crucified by injuries. Against all the odds though, we still managed a good performance and the result was made sweeter with the news that Boro had also won.