Six-hit Pirelli are too hot for battling Cockermouth
Last updated 11:49, Wednesday, 08 October 2008
COCKERMOUTH took on Pirelli without their captain and playmaker, Edwin Brown, who had received a bad injury the previous week.
To make matters worse they went behind to a brilliant piece of skill in the opening minutes and when the home team went two up after only 12 minutes, the visitors were left with a mountain to climb.
The Pirelli team played like a machine and the speed of their passing, coupled with adventurous running off the ball, had their opponents on the back foot for most of the match.
They were first out of the blocks and took an early lead from a wonder goal by Oliver Wiseman from 45 yards. The goal came as a complete surprise to Mark Latham, in the visiting goal, as he had just cleared to the half-way line. The ball was met on the volley by Wiseman and Latham could only watch it soar over his head and into the net.
The Pirelli moves were often started by goalkeeper Craig Hunter with quick throws to full backs Josh Simpson and Will Bell.
The second goal came when Keiran Scott slipped the ball past a bemused goalkeeper to double Pirelli’s lead. The score remained at 2-0 until half-time, but it could have been three when an angled left foot shot from Bell struck the crossbar after he had worked a short corner with Simpson.
Jonny Rickerby soon netted the third when he poked the ball home after Latham had partially saved a shot from the dangerous Mullen.
Stuart Scott was introduced off the subs’ bench and he scored with his first kick following further Pirelli pressure. Mullen came close on a number of occasions and he eventually scored after hitting the crossbar with a previous attempt.
To their credit Cockermouth played good football when they got the chance and Connor Harmer just failed to get on the end of a pass from Angus Carruthers who in turn took a free kick which narrowly cleared the crossbar.
Despite Cockermouth having their best spell, the bulk of possession was still with Pirelli and Simpson made it 6-0, when his high shot-cum-centre drifted into the net at the far post with two of his colleagues frantically attempting to get the final touch.
Cockermouth players battled to the end and they were rewarded when the hardworking Carruthers scored with an accurate right foot shot after receiving the ball from Ellis Graham.
Pirelli fully deserved their win after a great team performance while Carruthers and central defender Jacob Watlen stood out for Cockermouth.
MATCH FACTS
Pirelli: Craig Hunter, Josh Simpson, Leighton Richardson, Josh Baty, Will Bell, Mike Bromley, Oliver Wiseman, Jamie Braithwaite, Kieran Scott, Jonny Rickerby and Mike Mullen. Subs, Stuart Scott, Jordan, Morrison, Adam Cox, Phil Haresign, Dean Kersopp
Cockermouth: Mark Latham, Ellis Graham, Lewis Irwin, Jacob Watlen, Lewis White, Aaron Holliday, Brad Jenkins, Angus Carruthers, Jack Clarke, Connor Harmer and Matty Henson. Subs, Aiden Maddicks, Sam Scully and Oliver Thompson.
Referee: Les Jackson
Man of the Match: Oliver Wiseman, central midfield, Pirelli: Oliver played just in front of his back four where he made timely tackles and vital interceptions. He was strong in the air and was rarely beaten in the tackle. Olly opened the scoring when he returned the opposition goalkeeper’s long clearance with a stunning volley and the ballentered the net on the firstbounce.
