Hi all...

[robrc90]

Hi all. i have been watching non league football at this level for a number of years (13 years to be precise). Recently i have had an urge to write a match report on one of the games i take in. I am currently considering a career in Sports Journalism and intend to use this report as a template and an example as to what i could produce. As the match in question involved your team Slough Town, i thought you guys out there that are active on this forum would like to see what i have written. The match in question was your recent away game at Uxbridge on 01/09/12. I appreicate that this might be pretty tough for you to read given what went on in the game! But all of your comments and feedback would be very much appreicated. Thanks very much for taking your time to read my peice.

Robert.

 

A magnificent fight back by Uxbridge on Saturday afternoon saw them deservedly claim three points against pre season title favourites and a surprisingly lacklustre Slough Town. The Rebels entered the clash at Honeycroft on the back of stuttering start to the season after yielding only 4 points from their opening 3 league games. While Uxbridge on the back of a televised FA Cup replay win at Wembley, were looking to extend their unbeaten home stretch to 9 matches in all competitions.

The mach began at a very quick pace with both midfields looking to get on the ball early on and dictate play, although with no real conviction. The first chance fell the home sides way when the combative Danny Julienne, was fouled 25 yards from goal on the right. Left back Kevin Warner took responsibility, but his free kick was comfortably saved by visiting keeper James Warrington. The game then descended into a scrappy affair for the next quarter, with plenty of niggling fouls being committed by both sides’ respective midfields which made for a rather tedious passage of play. Mistakes were the order of the day and Uxbridge were handed a golden opportunity to take the lead. Warrington shanked a back pass clearance straight to Uxbridge wide man Stuart Farrell who burst down the left and squared for striker Chris Moore, whose point blank range effort was superbly blocked by a combination of Slough Skipper, Dave Woozely and fellow defender Nathan Bowden-Haase. On 21 minutes however with their first real attack of any real intent in the game, Slough broke the deadlock. The Dangerous Danny Burnell received a short pass into feet, with his back to goal he superbly evaded the attentions of Uxbridge captain Mark Dennison, and fired across goalkeeper John Peacock into the far corner from inside the 6 yard area. The home side’s response to going a goal behind was a direct one. Time and time again the ball would be launched long towards the front and wide men, but was repeatedly gobbled up by the tall but somewhat cumbersome Slough defence. The visitors were looking especially dangerous on the left hand side with the impressive Danny Murphy providing plenty of running and crossing. The former Queens Park Rangers man forced Peacock to palm the ball away from a deep hanging cross to the back post, which Dennison had to turn behind for a corner with a cluster of Slough attackers putting the pressure on. Right out of the blue on 42 minutes, Slough doubled their lead. The Reds midfield afforded midfielder David Deeney too much time in the middle of the field. With no challenge forthcoming, he strode forward unopposed and unleashed a speculative drive from 35 yards out which flew through Peacocks hands and nestled in the back of the net. The half time whistle sounded soon after with the home side staring down a barrel, needing a strong second half showing to retrieve the situation. A strong second half performance is exactly what was delivered because within 2 minutes of the restart, the home side halved the deficit. An instinctive drive forward by Shaun Lucien paid dividends when he beat Warrington to the loose ball and rounded the Slough goalkeeper and tapped into the empty net.

By now The Reds tails were up and all of the play suddenly was in the visitors half of the field. Warrington made a tremendous reflex save from Shaun Lucien after playmaker, Andrew Capewells inch perfect through ball. Lucien was prominent in most of the home side’s positive play, and he went close again minutes later grazing the bar with a 25 yard free kick. Slough then reminded Uxbridge that they were still in the contest. Burnell twisted and turned in the area but his goal bound effort was deflected out for a corner by the outstretched boot of Rob Fitzgerald. From the resulting corner, Murphy clipped in a low centre which substitute Eddie Smith diverted on to the post with Peacock scrambling. On 61 minutes, a smooth counter attack saw the hosts equalise and it was Lucien again prominent in the play. The Nippy winger went by tall Slough number 4 Alex Brown with ease, before squaring the ball across goal to the unmarked Farrell who gleefully converted with ease from 5 yards out. By now it was one way traffic with the visitors looking increasingly rattled every time Uxbridge broke forward. Although straight from the restart, Slough almost edged back in front. The Rebels midfield made light work of a number of feeble challenges, the ball reached Burnell who opened his body up and swerved a shot just over the bar that had Peacock stranded. Ex Brentford and Dagenham Redbridge man Chris Moore was a proving to be a thorn in the side of the Slough defence throughout the second half. His hold up play and movement was giving the Reds attackers impetus on the attack. Moore himself fashioned an opportunity for himself after he embarked on a mazy run, holding off 3 defenders before having his shot blocked by Brown. The pressure was rapidly building and it seemed like it would only be a matter of time before Uxbridge took the lead. Further good play by Lucien saw him rattle the bar after cutting in field on the left hand side. The Slough defence made a mess of making the clearance and the ball landed at the feet of Farrell, who couldn’t quite get his shot away quickly enough and the danger was cleared for a corner. With 80 minutes on the clock, Uxbridge finally took the lead their enterprising play had merited. Makeshift Uxbridge right back, Mark Smith found himself in acres of space on the right hand flank. As he progressed forward the Rebels backline backed off and he shifted the ball into the feet of Moore in the 6 yard box. Moore with his back to goal laid the ball off to the Incoming Capewell, who hammered the ball past the helpless Warrington into the top corner from 10 yards. Slough, visibly shaken by the second half onslaught, managed to carve out one more opportunity before the end. Burnell was involved again but his volley was dealt with minimum fuss by Peacock after some promising neat build up play. Soon after, the full time whistle sounded to rapturous cheers from the Uxbridge management and supporters alike. Slough will be left wondering where it all went wrong.

[HorshamRebel]

Hi, I hope you don't mind some constructive comments, but did actually find it hard to read.

 

You might want to look at using paragraphs to break the aticle up, and make it easier on the eye.

[brighton_rebel]

I think to get noticed you have to be a bit different. The match report is fine, but apart from Uxbridge and Slough fans who wants to read stuff that's so in depth? A bit of history of the clubs, why do Uxbridge play in West Drayton? That they had been on TV twice in last week cos of their FA Cup games with Wembley. That they got their biggest gate v Wembley for 20 odd years. Last time their gate was so big was against Slough!

Chat to officials and supporters at the game you always pick up some gems of stories. Good luck.

[Don Juan DeMarcus]

Comma use a bit dodgy, utilise semi colons for overly long sentence and Noone would ever use the phrase 6 yard area. It's a box. Just like my infamous skidline. A very informative read though good luck to you mate