Highbury Under 10’s ‘A’ played a home match against Corsham AFC on Sunday 22nd November 2009 in weather conditions that were more suited to an endurance test and prevented much football of any real quality being produced.
Both teams showed great tenacity and strength of character to provide a spectacle worth watching, Highbury were solid in defence where the normal trio of Chay Andrews, Harry Guerri-Fear and Adam Clark continued there excellent form of late with solid tackling, and undoubted bravery of putting their bodies on the line to block shots or intercept through balls. Liam Gibbens in goal showed excellent handling in heavy rain and powerful kicking whether into the wind or otherwise.
In midfield Louis Cole, Lyndon Parmley, Luke Wood and Thomas Mcferran ran tirelessly and battled the conditions with great determination. The middle of the pitch was becoming a quagmire and players from both sides found it difficult to retain possession or pass the ball as smoothly as normal.
Joe Hardy was ploughing a lone furrow up front and was well marshalled by a physical committed Corsham defence.
The first half saw few real chances for either team, Cole and Woods had the occasional long shot but Highbury never tested the Corsham keeper sufficiently which was a disappointment as he seemed nervous and lacking in confidence. Corsham played the marginally better football and when they were able to find room to shoot they were denied by Liam Gibbens who threw himself about with abandon in the muddy mess that had had quickly covered his goal mouth.
Half time saw the Highbury manager Rob McFerran encourage his players to trust in their ability and use the ball. He was also looking for more goal threat and hoping to put the home team defence and keeper under pressure. Luke Woods and Lyndon Parmley were exploiting the better playing surface out wide and often found space for crosses only for the Corsham defence to get a late block or for the cross to lack a little accuracy and not find its intended target.
Adam Clark was pushed up into midfield and used his strength to ride a tackle, move forward and shoot however the Corsham goalkeeper managed to save comfortably. Corsham scored the only goal of the game when the ball broke in midfield, Harry Guerri-Fear won the first tackle and as the ball broke free it was punted up field by Corsham, the ball caught Andrews slightly out of position and rather than run harmlessly through to Gibbens the ball held up on the muddy pitch allowing a Corsham player to run through unopposed and score.
Highbury responded with more fight and spirit and created a few good opportunities without actually creating clear cut chances. Adam Clark had pushed into midfield and drove through the home defence unfortunately as he tried to square the ball to an unmarked Joe Hardy he miss controlled the ball and the chance was gone. Lyndon Parmley fired a powerful volley which beat the keeper but just went the wrong side of the post and ruffled the side netting.
As the weather conditions worsened, Highbury threw everything at Corsham but failed to take advantage of some half chances. Throw-ins went towards the Corshm box but were uncontested and sailed unopposed to the Corsham keeper or out of play.
The game finished with Corsham holding on for a 1 – 0 victory that will leave Highbury with a sense of a missed opportunity despite the undoubted effort and commitment.
Team: Liam Gibbens, Adam Clark, Chay Andrews, Harry Guerri-Fear, Luke Woods, Louis Cole, Lyndon Parmley, Thomas McFerran, Joe Hardy.