UP AND AD EM

Freeland Res 5 - 1 Adderbury Park Res

Freeland hosted Adderbury Park Reserves, one of only the two teams who had yet to face title chasing Freeland, on a cold day at The Simon Hole Memorial Ground. Freeland welcomed back living legend Andy James, Simon Calley, Chris Gilkes and Chris Palmer. Freeland started brightly and soon had the Adderbury back line riled, with the Adderbury keeper constantly moaning at his unorganised defence.

Freeland got reward for their bright start when some great work by Scroggs and Salter led to Palmer having to tap in past the keeper from close range. This sparked the Addebruy keeper into yet another outburst, and this just caused his team mates to start arguing amongst themselves. They lost their heads and had two players booked in quick succession, and the big centre half was lucky to stay on the pitch after showing dissent to the ref on a number of occasions, as were some of his team mates after some very poor late challenges on Langford and James.

"Adderbury were only a threat from set plays"

Freeland kept pushing for a second goal as they were under no real pressure from open play. It finally came when Ben Sadler hit a shot from twenty yards that dribbled over the line after the keeper dived over the ball. Adderbury were only a threat from set plays, and can count themselves unlucky not to have grabbed a goal after having three shots cleared from off the line.

Freeland started the second half as the left off from the first, pushing for more goals and Salter and Gilkes upfront were constantly looking a threat. Both got goals they deserved, with Gilkes opening his Freeland account with a great chip form fifteen yards.

"the chunky target man stamped his authority on the game"

The Freeland attacks continued with Palmer and Belcher combining well down the right, and the hero from last week Longford pulling the strings in the centre of the park. Summer signing from local rivals Harborough Ben Glastonbury made his long awaited home debut, and receiving a rapturous welcome from the home fans. The chunky target man stamped his authority on the game with some strong tackles.

Freeland then conceded a silly goal to take the shine of the day when Adderburys forward was found unmarked after some poor defending to easily slot home. Adderburys centre back finally was shown a red card after walking a tightrope for most of the game with some poor challenges and moaning at the ref when he went to head the ball on the corner of the penalty area and instead threw out his hand, to give away a penalty and earn himself a second yellow card. It was left to AJ Longford to step up and calmly tuck away the resulting penalty to cap off a fine day for Freeland, who extended their lead at the top to twelve points.