Match Report

Match Report by Peter Joiceyan in-depth biased, one sided analysis of Norton OBC’s match

Mel Kenny was an unlikely man of the match against a determined Fulham Deaf side. Norton created many chances in the first half which saw Leroy Donald tucking home a penalty early on. Fulham equalised with their only chance of the first half as a result of a defensive mix up between Ally Hann, Gary Nice and goalkeeper Kenny. Norton pressure was rewarded with another Martins headed goal shortly before the break, after Norton had been denied twice by the woodwork. Norton were in control at half time and raced out of the blocks in the second half but crucial misses from Martins and Sobers allowed Fulham back into the game as Norton appeared to be wilting under the vistor’s pressure. Mel Kenny came to Norton’s rescue with three point blank saves. Joicey introduced Georgeio Parorlalista for his OBC debut. Georgeio duly responded by waltzing around the Fulham defence and fire Norton into a more comfortable two goal lead. Georgeio then capped off the move of the game by delicately playing Neil Sobers in goal who sealed the win with ten minutes to go. Sobers unluckily had a second goal ruled off for offside but it was Mel’s day.

Fulham Deaf arrived early and in good numbers which contrasted to the straggling Norton OBC. In goal Mel Kenny continued. At the back Ben Ssebatta continued at right back, Gary Nice was joined by Ally Hann as Chris Renouf was away and Steve Fowers was looking after his wife. Ally Hann was making his 50^th appearance for Norton. Max Marshall continued at left back. In midfield Mahf Chowdhury played wide right, Paul “Peanut” Mountain was partnered by Mark McEwan who had recovered from a heavy cold, and Leroy Donald returned to the starting line up and took up the captain’s arm band. Up front Neil Sobers was partnered by Ricardo Martins. Dean Barnes was rested as he had a sore knee. On the bench was Georgeio Parolalista who was looking to make his first ever Norton OBC appearance. Georgeio usually turns out for Howard’s team. Accompanying Georgeio on the bench was Paul Lewis and Peter Joicey.

The game kick off and it was Norton who started the game better. Ricardo Martins got his first sight at goal with a shot from the edge of the are which the Fulham keeper was able to save comfortably. Leroy Donald was quick out of his box and was determined to give the full back a torrid time. Leroy got to the goal line and pulled a ball back for Ricardo but Ricardo scuffed his shot and the defender was able to clear.

Leroy Donald again was causing trouble as he beat his man and got to the goal line and as he looked to set up Ricardo again the Norton winger had his heel clipped and with referee Mike Bell in close proximity the penalty was rightly awarded despite Fulham’s protestations. Up stepped Leory himself to rifle the ball into the bottom right hand corner for 1-0 Norton, 7 minutes gone. Leroy’s 5^th goal of the season.

Fulham looked to get back into the game immediately. The excellent number 9 who was quick and showed a good touch was able to beat the poor Norton offside trap but his shot was blocked by Leroy Donald who got back to cover excellently. The rebound fell to the number 10 but he could not take advantage of Norton being in disarray at the back and shot straight at Mel.

Fulham were not long to be denied though. A high ball to the back was allowed to bounce and Ally Hann did not deal with it. Mel called and came off his line but Ally knocked the ball down to the number 9 who was able to shoot into an unguarded net as Mel had advanced to the edge of the box. A really soft goal on 12 minutes 1-1.

Norton after good start found it difficult to get the touch and composure. Fulham were winning too many second balls in midfield as they looked the more determined. Nevertheless, Norton always had the better quality on the pitch. Good work between Ben Ssebatta and Peanut on the right allowed Peanut to whip a lovely ball to the back post for Neil Sobers to cushion down for Mahf Chowdhury. With it looking harder to miss as the open goal gaped Mahf could only turn his shot back onto the post with the goalkeeper stranded.

It was midway through the first half now and Norton were able to put pressure on the Fulham defence. Another great ball in, this time from Ben Ssebatta found Ricardo on the penalty spot and Ricardo took the ball down brilliantly and forced the keeper into a brilliant save who palmed the ball around the post for a Norton corner. The corner was swung in and Max Marshall got a head to it but it was not enough and the ball was cleared.

Fulham were restricted to playing in their own half and struggled to break free of the Norton strangled hold. On thirty two minutes they registered their first shot since the goal an effort from thirty five yards that went well wide. Fulham were becoming frustrated and tackles were late. Leroy Donald was potentially through on goal on the left but was scythed down by the Fulham defender and Mike Bell booked the defender.

Leroy Donald was in the thick of things in the first half. Another great ball by Ben Ssebatta from the right found Leroy at the back post but like Ricardo earlier Leroy brought the ball down well but Leroy’s shot was tame and the keeper was able to make a comfortable save.

Norton then picked up our first booking of the season. Leroy won a 50-50 and was away but left the Fulham defender on the floor. The referee booked Leroy, maybe a bit harshly but he had just booked the Fulham lad so maybe was trying to balance things up.

Norton’s pressure was rewarded as the half drew to a close. Another exquisite ball in from the right from Peanut allowed Ricardo to plant another headed goal past the keeper into the near corner of the net to give Norton a deserved 2-1 lead. The smallest man on the pitch once more does his talking with his head. 2-1 Norton 39 minutes gone, Ricardo’s 5^th goal of the season.

Norton went in search for more goals as Fulham appeared to tire under the Norton attacks. Peanut had a free kick from thirty yards deflected for a corner. The corner from Mark McEwan was an absolute stinker and sailed out for a goal kick.

Peanut was instrumental again going down the right. His ball in from the goal-line found Ricardo at the back post who knocked a header down to Mahf Chowdhury but this time Mahf’s well struck shot was deflected onto the crossbar as the woodwork came to Fulham’s rescue once more.

The referee blew for half time. 2-1 Norton.

At half time Joicey said that the last twenty minutes was a significantly better performance then when we let them score. Joicey reminded them that if anything was going to cost us this year it was soft defending. Peanut said that people were not on the ball today as players were not controlling the ball with the first touch.

The second kicked off in the manner of the first half with Norton dominant. Ricardo had a glorious chance to extend Norton’s lead when Neil Sobers did brilliantly on the left wing. Neil beat the full back and got to the goal line and rolled a brilliant ball for Ricardo who had the chance on a plate but managed to shoot wide of the post.

Neil Sobers was then guilty of a glaring miss. Ricardo returned the favour from moments earlier and played Neil in one on one but rather than shoot first time with his left, Neil took a touch and went inside which allowed the defender to get back and get an excellent block tackle in.

Peanut had a header at the back post comfortably saved as Norton piled on the pressure but despite three corners in a row Norton could not turn the ball in. Norton needed to take advantage when they were on top.

Fulham responded with their best period in the game as the Norton attack seemed to wilt. Mel was tested from thirty five yards with a dangerous lob but Mel was able to get his fingertips to the effort and tip the ball over for Fulham’s first corner of the game.

Mel was to be the busier of the two keepers in the next twenty minutes as he made three point blank saves as Fulham were clearly on top and most likely to score next. The number 9 was able to keep the ball in on the right and just sailed past Gary and Ally on found himself in the box and unleashed a terrific strike at goal which was going in the far corner but Mel at full length pushed it out for a corner.
Despite the Fulham period of pressure Mahf Chowdhury had a glorious chance to volley Norton into a two goal lead. A ball from Leroy on the left was brilliantly whipped to the back post and Mahf’s strike was good but went just over the bar and was at best wasteful especially as Norton were under pressure.

Fulham were unlucky not to have equalise when a long ball up between Max and Ally was not dealt with an again the number 9 was onto it. Same position, same strike, same diving save by Mel. Corner.

The ball in was cleared but not for long as the second ball landed nicely for a Fulham player who shot straight at Mel. The last straw was when the Fulham winger was able to steel past Mahf and Ben and blazed over Mel’s bar. Joicey brought on Georgeio Parolalista for his debut for Mahf Chowdhury who seemed to be having an off day. Ricardo moved to wide right and Georgeio partnered Neil up front.

The impact was immediate as Norton were able to retain the ball up front, allowing Peanut and Mark McEwan to put pressure back on the Fulham defence. Mark McEwan had the opportunity at a strike from the edge of the box but blazed high over the bar.

Then Georgeio showed them all how to do it. Georgeio collected the ball from Ricardo on the right and ambled into the box. Showing good close control he beat three defenders and then shot past the keeper to put Norton 3-1 up. 73 minutes gone.

The goal seemed to knock the stuffing out of Fulham, who were again getting frustrated. A Fulham player was booked for a late off the ball lunge at Ally Hann. The player was rightly booked with Mike Bell saying “you are lucky it is not Red!”. The Fulham manager pulled the player off straight away.

Norton were again on top and the move of the match resulted in a goal from Neil Sobers. The ball was moved around midfield with Ben Ssebatta, Peanut, Ricardo and Mark McEwan all getting a touch before the ball was played into Georgeio’s feet and calm as you like rolled the ball on a plate for Neil Sobers to bury from eight yards out. 4-1 Norton 78 minutes gone. Neil’s 5^th goal of the season.

Thirty seconds later Norton appeared to have a good goal chalked off as Neil Sobers powered in a header at the back post despite Leroy crossing from the goal-line. The lino put his flag up perhaps before the moved had started.

Joicey made the substitution of Leroy Donald off for Paul Lewis to ensure that Leroy did not get booked or injured. Max Marshall moved to left wing and Paul filled in at left back.

The game ended with Norton on top, and won comfortably in the end once the third goal went in. Next week we are away at Alexander Forbes.

Dean Barnes will return.

Peter Joicey
29.11.2008

		1. Kenny

7. Ssebatta	30. Nice		2. Hann	13. Marshall

20. Chowdhury	10. Mountain		99. McEwan	11. Donald

	9. Sobers		21. Martins