Colin Valley vs New Santos
All was not lost for Santos going into their penultimate league game of the season. With Newington suspended thus automatically losing their game vs Suffolk Swifts, Santos needed a win in their final two games to have a chance of staying up.
Colin Valley started the better of the two sides however and piled the pressure on Santos with a series of corners and efforts from outside the box. Shortly after they hit the post, they took the lead when their striker questionably beat the offside trap to give them a deserved advantage.
Despite Valley having the better of the majority of the first half, Santos had two great opportunities to level. Following a lovely through ball from Paul Barr, Stevie Copeland’s dink over the keeper didn’t have enough power and was cleared by the last defender. Soon after, an excellent free-kick from deep by Martin Magee was headed narrowly over from 6 yards by Jim McAvoy.
Half-time: Colin Valley 1-0 New Santos
With 45 minutes left to save their season, Santos came out with an attacking mentality and early on managed to gain the upper hand and controlled the possession playing some lovely football.
The second half played out much like the first except with roles reversed. Santos came close with two long range efforts from Kieran Seaward and Martin Magee which both sailed narrowly over. Despite the odd attack from Valley, Santos controlled the half without ever managing to find the final pass that they desperately needed.
The game ended with Valleys superior finishing the difference, but Santos can hold their head high in defeat as they battled hard and never gave up. The defeat puts an end to Santos’ hopes of beating relegation as a season in division 1 beckons.
Full-time: Colin Valley 1-0 New Santos
New Santos team:
GK: JP Byrne
DR: Martin Cunningham
DL: Kevin Carson (Michael West)
DC: Martin Magee
MR: David Harrigan (Sean Carson)
ML: Jim McAvoy
MC: Kieran Seaward
MC: Paul Barr
SC: Stevie Copeland
SC: Podraig Henry (Ronan Doherty)
