| WYCOMBE EDGED
OUT AGAIN
(Saturday 8th July 2000) Raufoss (Norway)1 Wycombe 1 reporting for Chairboys on the Net in Norway Allan Aasterud Wycombe didn't have a lot of luck in Norway. They didn't advance to the A-finals due to a single goal difference. Then after demolishing Eik 3-0 on Thursday, they were on top of their group in the second phase in the B-finals. However, the third team in the group, Raufoss, beat Eik 4-1 on Friday and because only one team would go through to the semi-finals, Raufoss was leading due to goal difference. That meant Wycombe had to win against Raufoss on Saturday morning. In this game, Steve Williams played his second match in JET 2000, and he came up with the first save in the match. Raufoss were the better team in the early stages of the match, and Wycombe didn't look like a team which had to win. The game changed after 10 minutes. Peter Holsgrove and Leeyon Phelan were yet again partners up front, and after a slow beginning, they started to cause trouble for Raufoss. Phelan was three times in good positions, but his shots were either lacking power or precision. After 22 minutes a Wycombe-player was fouled in the penalty-box; penalty! Steady Roger Johnson stepped up... and hit the crossbar up in the right corner! He missed a glory opportunity but Wycombe just continued to put pressure on the Norwegians. Scott Dash came close just a minute after Johnson's penalty-miss. Unfortunately, his shot from eight metres, on the right-hand side of the box, was elegantly saved by the goalie. With just two minutes left to half-time: Peter Holsgrove put the ball into the back of the net. His shot from ten metres was beyond the Raufoss goalkeeper's reach and he as immediately surrounded by the team-mates. Half-time Wycombe 1 Raufoss 0 When leading 1-0 the lads knew they were through to the semis, but lots of hardwork was still waiting for them in the second half. The Wycombe players were very determined to get this very much needed win, and they dominated the first minutes of the second half. Anyway, Raufoss replied after eight minutes. A cross from their left flank was played into the Wycombe penalty area. Goalie Williams came out ten metres but his timing was wrong. The striker on Raufoss actually went up in the air, and reached the ball ahead of Williams! The ball was headed over the head of the helpless goalie and went into an empty net. The youngster in goal should have done better, and he knew that himself. He was sorry, and he almost conceded another goal a minute later. One Raufoss player came one-on-one with Williams, rounded him and from a difficult position he tried to put the ball behind for another goal. Luckily, Roger Johnson cleared the ball off the goal-line! A draw was enough for Raufoss, and they began concentrating on their defensive play. Wycombe had the possession but couldn't break through. Ian Simpemba's good header from corner went over the crossbar. Captain Ben Townsend's long throw-ins caused some trouble, but still Raufoss seemed to have control. Wycombe tried to be patient because they knew that they would get at least one golden opportunity. It came! Substitute Lewis Cook ran past two players on the left flank and brought the ball with him into the penalty-box. An excellent run! His precise and hard pass across the box was met by a storming Smillie on the other side. The son of the former Wycombe manager hit the ball with the right foot from five metres! But of all things, the power-shot went wide of the goalpost! No one could believe it!! Jack was lying there on the pitch; five minutes from the end, and he missed the chance to be a possible match-winner. It proved to be Wycombe's last chance. Instead a frustrated Leeyon Phelan got sent off. His red card came when he got into a clash with a defender. 1-1 and Wycombe were out of the semis! Now, the only game they had left was to decide if they would be sixth or seventh in the B-finals. A disappointing morning for the lads, but some of them seemed to be lacking concentration and will to win. A highly frustrated Gary Goodchild was in a rage towards the squad after the game. Wycombe Team (4-4-2): Steve Williams - John Hopcraft, Marc Leach, Roger Johnson, Ben Townsend - Ryan McCullaugh (Ronnie Girvan from 31.), Ian Simpemba, Richard Jolly (Lewis Cook from 40.), Scott Dash (Jack Smillie from 40.) - Peter Holsgrove (John Dixon from 31.), Leeyon Phelan. Yellow cards: Peter Holsgrove, John Dixon. Red card: Leeyon Phelan Tactics: Wycombe started in an usual 4-4-2 formation. Ben Townsend started as a left-back, but switched positions with left midfielder Ryan McCullaugh after only 15 minutes. In the second half Townsend played offensive central midfield alongside Ian Simpebba who was told to concentrate more about the defensive part of the game. In the last ten minutes Wycombe played very offensive with the right and left back, but they didn't succeed. My men of the match: Ben Townsend played well, despite being switched around due to tactical reasons. A good leader who works really hard. The lads know they can trust him. Some times in the game, he got the ball on the right, stopped and then curled the ball in from his left foot. Always quality! Marc Leach is a hardworking and honest player, who in this tournament came in partner Roger Johnson's shade. I name him as the team's best player in this match. That doesn't say a lot, because Wycombe didn't impress at all. "Leachy" is a tall and physical player who dominated in the air, and you could see him focusing on how to develop his passing-skills. He didn't succeed all the time, but he tried. His left foot is quality, and he's a good tackler. He went up to take a few free-kicks in good position, but very few of them were impressive. Still, he didn't lose concentration and he tried to contribute in a positive way all the time. Jack Smillie missed a golden opportunity, but he was fresh in the second-half. His crosses and passes were too poor, but he challenged the Norwegians with pace and dribbles. Reaction and comment from Youth Team boss Gary Goodchild Return to tournament preview and match index Return to News Desk... |
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© Chairboys on the Net 2000 - all rights reserved Report and picture kindly provided by Allan Aasterud rush09@hotmail.com |
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