vs SWANWICK PENTRICH ROAD FC

SPRFC 0 - 2 SCFC

(HT 0 – 2)

19’ E.Robson

38’ L.Theakstone

Sherwood see the opening game of the season away at Swanwick, displaying a smart new away kit of red and white stripes, blue shorts and red socks.

The side open strong displaying some real hunger for the forthcoming season.

Sherwood took early opportunity in the first half with a first shot on target coming in the 17th minute when Danny Naylor gave it his best but struggled to provide the power it needed.

Swanwick were soon to wake up following the near miss from Sherwood.

Despite Swawnick joining the game Sherwood were on full force and took an early lead thanks to a 19th minute goal from Ewan Robson. Starbuck put in a great cross that left Ewan with no choice but to reward his teammates efforts with a goal (0-1)

Questionable official decisions stifled Sherwood throughout the game with the first coming in the 32nd minute when a clear goal kick was denied and given as a corner.

Dale Gilliatt made a strong break away up field but was brought down just outside the area, questionably rewarded with a booking for a none existent dive.

Sherwood made sure they were quick to react to the controversy as trusted goal scorer Liam Theakstone found the back of the net in the 38th minute. (0-2)

Sowter tried to have his impact on the game stopping a Swanwick break but following a late challenge found himself facing a yellow card.

Swanwick had a go not long after with a free kick on target five minutes before half time.

However, reflective of their half Swanick failed perform and saw their effort straight over the crossbar.

Frustration flushed among the Swanwick 11 resulting in Ian Milsom (6) booked for a late tackle on Sherwood’s Jimmy Adcock just before the halftime whistle.

(0-2 Sherwood)

Sherwood started the second half strong with an early break but were cut short by an out of place off side flag.

Ricky Starbuck had a go with a shot on target, but despite coming from a beautiful piece of passing football was denied a goal as the keeper got his hands to it.

Ever on the attack Sherwood went again but once more failed to find the back of the net. Swanwick heads started to flop early in the second half, captain Adam Jablonski pleaded for his players to get involved.

Frustration was clearly building as Sherwood’s Stevie Sowter was brought to the ground following an aggressive tackle.

Starbuck took the free kick finding the head of Jordan Harris but a goal was again denied for the wood.

Swanwick found a second wind on the attack toward Sherwood’s net, winning a free kick on the way, their players tried for a scrappy goal but were denied any opportunity thanks to the defence team of Shaw and Harris.

Liam Theakstone, eager to secure a third goal, took advantage of the break but didn’t have the support needed to find the back of the net.

Sherwood substitution Liam Beardsley made his presence known creating a yet another chance but again failed to make impact on the score line.

76th minute saw Swanwick make only their second attempt of the half but were denied an opportunity in the Sherwood area by Ricky Starbuck with confident support from Jordan Harris.

A free kick to Sherwood looked promising as captain Jobe Shaw managed to find the head of Harris onto Theakstone but was unlucky on target and hit the cross bar.

Despite some class football being played Sherwood failed to find the back of the net throughout the second half.

Swanwick finally attempt to make an impact on the game a little to late finding themselves denied two half chances just before the full time whistle.

Sherwood saw the game out by continuing to make promising runs but unfortunately failed to achieve the deserved third goal.

The game finished a comfortable opening win for Sherwood Colliery FC, a promising 90 minutes from a success hungry side.