Chaps avenge defeat

Report

Chaps were out looking for revenge today after possibly our worst display of the season in the reverse fixture earlier this season. With the lengthy injury list expanding to include Penny, there was jubilation amongst the ranks as Dutton made his long awaited return after an extended period out with a similar ankle injury. Fronk opted for a 3–5–2 formation with the squad being defensively light at present. Our founder Farr, Tomolinson and Tarplee formed the back line ahead of old reliable Hobbis in goal. An impressive midfield quint of Watkins–Drunk-Feasey–Jones–Whalley–Dutton promised much, and the familiar pairing of Mosedale–Dowsett spearheaded the team.

The game was difficult throughout thanks to a very bobbly pitch and a low Spring sun. It was to be a slightly scrappy affair, but to their credit both teams tried to play the ball on the deck most of the time.

Chaps took the lead at the half hour mark, with Dutton—his golden locks flowing in the wind as he strode up and down the right wing—gambled, dashed into the box, and met an excellent Dowsett cross low from the left at the nearpost to poke it past the keeper and a flailing defender.

Dutton was withdrawn after an hour, not yet fully back to match fitness but having put in a stirling effort in perhaps the most strenuous position on the pitch as wing back. Spencer was welcomed back into the Chaps team to replace him.

Brentnal equalised midway through the second half, not a huge surprise as the game was fairly ell balanced with opportunities for both sides. This definitely changed the course of the game, as Chaps were determined not to let another lead come to nothing. The game became more open as Chaps put their foot on the gas, Watkins worked hard down the left despite struggling to get in the game, Jones starting running through banks of players again and Mosedale was linking with the midfield to good effect.

Even Feasey chipped in by solely passing to his own team mates from now on, after winning the “fair play” award in the first half for balancing out possession between the two teams. I jest, but he did start the second goal:

Chap of the match this week was fairly straight forward, and the referee agrees with me, awarding Man of the Match himself to our founder Farr. He was superb in the back 3, providing an attacking option down the right hand side as well as seemingly covering everything in sight. This win was truly built from the back!

Chaps moved up to 6^th in the table as they continue to focus their efforts solely on the league. A free week next week—music to this injured reporter's ears—so we will see you all on the 27^th. UTC!