| Match Report |
With a number of Caradon A regulars missing this was a much changed line up that hosted Duchy B for their first home game of 2019. Duchy looked strong in attack early on but it was Caradon that struck first with a fast counter attack controlled by Ben Hedley which found Paul Hunt in the D who clinically fired home. The lead did not last long as Duchy forced a short corner and the strike beat the keeper and just beat the defender on the line. Despite a number of short corner opportunities of their own Caradon were unable to restore their lead and the half finished 1-1. In the second half Caradon were starting to get more dangerous on the counter attack and the Hedley-Hunt combination again unlocked the defence and this time Hunt beat the keeper with a reverse stick hit over the diving keeper. Within five minutes the same combination were at it again as Hunt completed his hat trick. The game then became more of a midfield battle with neither side getting any clear shots on target but with 3 minutes remaining Duchy got themselves back into the game as a defensive mistake gifted them a second goal. As Duchy pushed for an equaliser Matt James picked up the ball on the halfway line and drove forward. On entering the D he was given space to shot but the keeper was well positioned to save however the ever alert Hunt was on hand to fire home for his and Caradon's fourth goal and from that moment on the points were secure. Not surprisingly Paul Hunt was almost unanimously awarded the Man of the Match accolade but the performances of Matt James, Ben Reynolds, Joel Tamblyn and Paul Rowe who all stepped up from the third team were equally pleasing as Caradon remain on course for a top two finish. Next up for Caradon A is a visit to second placed Ashmoor and the result will undoubted have a big say in who wins the Division come March if only everyone could make themselves available!
|