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Quilligans played host to bottom club Pulcinellas at Collins Park today. Despite finishing a credible fifth last season, they have had an indifferent start to the current campaign. However, despite this they are a team you underestimate at your peril.
Quilligans got the game underway, and immediately forced the Pulcinellas keeper into action with Broadbent and Rowe combining allowing Rowe to force a smart parry. Pulcinellas also tested Speight early doors but he gathered the effort fairly comfortably.
Just before the quarter hour Quilligans took the lead. A great ball into the box from Morris found Evans who superbly laid the ball off to Broadbent, who fired home off the post. A minute later Quilligans doubled their lead. A move that started with Speight ended with Broadbent finding Douthwaite, whose pinpoint cross found Evans who sidefooted home from close range.
On 20 minutes Pulcinellas pulled a goal back. A ball into the area was punched clear by Speight - it was promptly picked up by Simpson and he smashed it back over Speight's head high into the net from distance.
On 22 minutes the injured Broadbent was replaced by Spedding, this was a blow for Quilligans as Broadbent was having a fine game, and looked to be back to his best.
Riches nearly earned an equaliser for Pulcinellas, when he flashed an effort across the face of the goal, but no-one could apply the finishing touch required.
Half time 2-1.
The second half got underway with Rowe making the Pulcinellas keeper scramble across his goal after an effort from outside the area.
Shortly after Douthwaite rattled the post from distance, Watt followed the effort up but blasted the rebound over the bar. Evans then had a good chance to increase Quilligans lead, but he headed over when perhaps he should have done better.
Faber replaced Watt on 73 minutes.
Pulcinellas then had a good chance to draw level but headed just over from a well delivered corner. Morris then forced another good save from the Pulcinellas keeper tipping his curling effort round the upright.
Frend replaced Evans on 76 minutes.
Quilligans had to play out the remaining minutes with ten men when the pacy Douthwaite picked up an ankle injury. Spedding had a guilt-edged chance to wrap things up late on when he was through on goal, but his effort was easily saved by the keeper.
Final score 2-1.
Team
Speight, Thompson, Ford, Morris, Boal, Rowe, Broadbent (Spedding 22), Sutton, Watt (Faber 73), Douthwaite, Evans (Frend 76).
Substitutes
Spedding, Faber, Frend.
Scorers
Broadbent 14, Evans 15. |
