Limekiln v Vernon Villa FC 03/09/06
Taken from Limekiln Website
Limekiln Suffer Defeat On Opening Day
Match Reporter, 4 September 2006 12:22
Limekiln FC 2-4 Vernon Villa FC
Limekiln began their new campaign with a defeat to bogey team Vernon Villa in controversial circumstances.
Vernon had taken the lead against the run of play midway through the first half. Prior to that Simon Allcock had raced clear only to be thwarted by the Vernon Goalkeeper. Garry Boon also had a good chance but sliced his effort horribly wide.
Limekiln, full of renewed hope and optimism, were playing some good football and were working hard. An excellent, simple, four pass move ended with James Hallam hammering a shot inches wide from 30 yards.
HT 0-1
Limekiln continued in the same manner at the start of the second half, despite now being against a fierce wind.
Vernon also pressed hard but only found a resolute Limekiln Defence.
Reilly Marshall came off the bench to make his debut and immediately had an impact with a hard working display. It was Marshall who pulled Limekiln level with a header from close range.
Limekiln then deservedly took the lead – or so they thought. The Villa keeper had saved an effort from Marshall and the ball fell loose. As the Keeper stretched out an arm to claim the ball, Simon Allcock thumped it into the net. The goal looked a good one and there was no appeal for anything from the Vernon Players. However the Referee disallowed the goal and gave Vernon a freekick, claiming that the goalkeeper had two hands on the ball when Allcock struck.
That controversy knocked a little life out of Limekiln and Vernon took their freekick, went straight up the other end, and scored! That led to a terribly 6 minute spell from Limekiln who conceded twice more before retaining some shape and battle.
Kiln pushed forward and the introduction of Ken Saito helped to liven things up. Ray Walker smashed an effort past the Vernon Keeper to make it 4-2 but it too little too late.
Without that spell midway through the second half it was actually a good performance from Kiln. However the self destruct button was pushed and it left them a mountain to climb, in too little time.
FT 2-4