Hamsters v Marle Place Wanderers - 14/05/06

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Team:
29) Scott McCarthy
12) Peter Morgan
3) Kieran Elliott
8) Bert Lloyd
15) Robert Jones
11) Peter Chapman
9) Dan Collin
Sub: 2) Will Collin
Attendance: 5
Man of the Match: Kieran Elliott - last in the changing room so got presented with the award

McCarthy Industries finished their season on a low note, slipping to a 3-2 defeat against a plucky and spirited Marle Place side, whom were much improved on their last visit to the Cage. McCarthy made one change from his sides victory over The Tribe, with captain Robert Jones, having come through 90 minutes for the Diamonds on Wednesday, returning to the starting line up for the first time since November. Will Collin returned among the substitutes, while Doug Lane took charge from the dugout following his dislocated knee

The first half was a tense affair, with both sides looking jaded after the long season. It was the visitors though who made the better start, taking advantage of a lackluster Hamsters. Dan Collin tried one turn too many in attack, and a quick break ensured after the captain lost the ball. Luckily though, Jamie Farhall somehow managed to fire the ball over the bar when left one-on-one with McCarthy, but it was an early warning sign. Robert Jones nearly marked his return with a goal, but following good link up by Chapman and Collin, the Welsh midfielder fired over the bar. Mike Fletcher thought he had made it 1-0, but McCarthy managed to divert the ball onto the post. The chance of the half though fell to ex-Hamsters player Farhall, as he went one-on-one with McCarthy. The keeper saved the first one, but the rebound was kind to Farhall, whom left with an open goal, somehow managed to balloon the ball into the Tom McCarthy Stand

With McCarthy Industries looking in bad form, it was no surprise when the visitors talismanic playmaker Gary Harding opened the scoring. A delightful pass from Farhall played in the midfielder, and he had no trouble in guiding the ball past McCarthy to make it 1-0 to the visitors. A change was needed, and with Will Collin warming up, the Hamsters Cage began to get behind their team. Taking matters into his own hands, McCarthy began on a run up field, finding Ticehurst, whose cut back to Collin left the striker one-on-one with Sparasci in the Wanderers goal. However, in true Farhall-esque manner, the usually reliable Collin sent the ball flying over the bar in a miss that would go onto prove costly. The visitors knew it was a let off, and Jamie Farhall responded by nearly making it 2-0, luckily Chapman was able to clear off the line. The ex-Hamster then found himself one-on-one again, but Jones and McCarthy conspired to take him out before he got the shot away, prompting large penalty appeals from the traveling support. 

The Hamsters finally got the goal they had been looking for though, and it was a delightful finish from the in-form Kevin Ticehurst. The midfielder, who has had a great second half of the season, received the ball on the edge of the area, and hit a scorching volley on the turn to make it 1-1. Inspired by the goal, the Hamsters were finally back into the game. The introduction of Will Collin saw the physicality that had been missing, but an uncharacteristic McCarthy mistake nearly gave Wanderers the chance to make it 2-1, as his throw out hit an unsuspecting Fletcher on the back, but Farhall's shot from the resulting lose ball was saved by the keeper. Mac Industries finally seized the lead though, as Pete Morgan found  Will Collin, whom back heeled a one-two. Morgan, receiving the ball back, played a second successive back hell, bamboozling the visitors defence, and allowing Dan Collin the time he needed to net his 35th goal of the season and make it 2-1. Sensing the kill, the Hamsters pushed on, leaving gaps at the back, and these gaps were exploited by the visitors. Fletcher played through a superb pass that found Farhall, and the striker made no mistake this time, guiding the ball past McCarthy. With 2 minutes on the clock, Wanderers made it 3-2, as a fine passing move left the impressive Harding in on goal, and he made no mistake in beating McCarthy to ensure that the Hamsters lost for their 3rd and last time of the season