08 November 2006
CGB Humbertherm 2 v 3 United Reserves
By Damian Froggatt
United welcomed back George Zeurner and Jake Keyworth to the squad for the trip to the current league leaders and dominated the game from start to finish. United started brightly with Tom Myatt and Chris Bonner both lively
on the flanks, Scott Lowman forced an excellent point blank save and then Myatt had an effort blocked as he raced clear. Atkinson and Symmonds were busy in midfield and prevented the home side finding their usual fluency and United deservedly took the lead on 20 minutes when Lowman ran from deep and fired an unstoppable strike into the top corner from 25 yards. However, in a rare attack, Humbertherm forced a corner and the resulting cross was turned home from close range by skipper Carl Martin.
United responded brilliantly with the influential Sam Malachy constantly finding time and space to unlock the home defence. Then on 35 minutes, Symmonds nipped in to steal the ball and burst forward before curling a
spectacular left foot strike to restore the visitors' lead. But as the frst half closed and with United in complete control, a lack of concentration allowed Flint to break clear and level the scores before the break.
United's disappointment after such a dominant display could easily have allowed Humbertherm to take control of the game, but the youngsters responded with a second half display which was equally impressive. Lowman and Myatt both could have scored and United saw a number of chances go begging, before a clever reverse pass from Lowman released Malachy who held off a challenge before finishing in style. Humbertherm then changed their system to push extra players forward but United's back four of
Greensmith, Huntley, Albans and 16 year-old Josh Giles stood firm. In the dying moments the impressive Bonner then made a 60 yard run with the ball from box to box
but his shot was blocked, and the visitors closed the game out to record their most impressive victory of the season.
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