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Quilligans travelled to Broadwaters hoping to make it 14 wins on the bounce against Highbury FC, who not so long ago won the Premier title winning 20 straight games. As seems to be the case this season, it was difficult to tell which Highbury side was going to turn up, if at all. However, this morning they managed to get a bare 11 so it was game on.
The opening action was pretty non-descript with Highbury making a good fist of competing with Quilligans. However, Quilligans started to turn the screw, and the first chance of note fell to Pearson who headed over from a superb cross-field ball. He should have at least hit the target.
Rowe then had a chance to increase his tally for the season when he beat his man on the flank, who still tried to scythe him down on the way past. To his credit he kept his feet but didn't get his reward blasting just over.
Moments later, Highbury on a rare sortie upfield had a shout for a penalty, but referee Lee Willetts waved their appeals away.
Cook then had a chance to open his account but shot just wide from a good Rowe corner. The best chance of the opening half fell to Highbury. The Highbury number 5 was clear through on goal with only Clowes to beat, however the corner flag was in more danger from his woeful effort than Clowes in the Quilligans goal.
Clowes had to be on his toes a minute or so later when he made a smart block at the feet of a Highbury forward to keep the scores level.
The Highbury keeper then made a good save arching backwards to tip a Rowe corner onto the post.
Half-time 0-0.
Quilligans brought on Swallow for the second half replacing Cook. Highbury started the second half with the first real chance firing just wide of Clowes' upright.
Quilligans' final ball seemed to be lacking at times, however, Pearson put that right on 58 minutes. A ball from Swallow found Pearson who swept the ball past the Highbury keeper to open the scoring.
Highbury could have equalised pretty much from the re-start but the Highbury number 11 blazed over. Highbury went close again shortly after, but Clowes got to the ball first clearing for a corner which was dealt with by the Quilligans rearguard.
With just over 15 minutes remaining Quilligans got a second. Rowe curled a sublime effort into the net off the far post from the corner of the 18 yard area.
Two minutes later it was 3-0. A long throw was headed on by Brooks to Palmer who lashed it home from the back post.
Moore replaced Rowe on 75 minutes, and West replaced Pearson on 87 minutes.
With time running out Quilligans made it 4-0. A great cross-field ball from Palmer found Ioannou lurking on corner of the 18 yard area, and he volleyed it exocet like into the bottom corner.
Full-time 0-4.
Scorers
Pearson 58, Rowe 73, Palmer 75, Ioannou 88
Team
Clowes, Brooks, Bracewell, Taylor, Ioannou, Cook (Swallow 45), Rowe (Moore 75), Boal, Perry-Acton, Palmer, Pearson (West 83).
Substitutes
Swallow, Moore, West. |
