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Match report:
Denton Cricket Club FC v VMFC1
Sunday 19 October 2014
Village Manchester was knocked out of the Robinson's Brewery County Cup as they lost to Denton Cricket Club 5-1 at the weekend.
The club made their journey to the unfamiliar surroundings of Oxford Park in Ashton-Under-Lyne looking to progress to the next round of a cup which they were knocked out of by the eventual winners in last year's campaign.
With Baker recovering from an injury, Crosby made his return to the first team as he replaced the American in goal. Manager Connell opted for a three man defence with Edwards and Sal either side of Wilson. Ure sat just in front of those three with Johnson, Clayton, Mullender and Graeme ahead of him. Village had lots of energy up front as Holmes partnered Bolgar in attack.
The pitch, situated just off the Ashton canal, was not in the best condition and it was Denton - as the home team - who dealt with it better and started the stronger. They were first to a lot of balls and they seemed to have a bit more zip to them. They gave Village a warning within the first 10 minutes as they saw a goal disallowed for offside.
Village themselves nearly got in front first as Mullender went close twice within a couple of minutes. His first chance saw a header from a corner blocked at close range and his second attempt was from a shot which was blocked by a Denton defender's leg.
Denton managed to get back on top and they went one ahead with 25 minutes gone. Their left winger beat Edwards and delivered a venomous low cross across goal. Denton's number 10 did well to stretch and control the ball and composed himself sufficiently to finish past Crosby. 1-0
Wilson did his best to bring the scores back level as he made a clever and skillful run with the ball past a number of Denton midfielders. He supplied Holmes with a smart ball but the striker's effort was snuffed out by a defender.
Village needed to get more of a stranglehold on the game and they tried to do this by changing formation to 4-4-2 and bringing on McGivern for Mullender.
This seemed to do the trick for a little while but the club found themselves 2-0 down with minutes remaining of the first half. A Denton midfielder gained control of the ball in the centre circle and delivered a pinpoint diagonal cross over the head of McGivern. The accuracy of the cross was such that the number 10 had enough time to direct his header beyond Crosby. 2-0
Half time: Denton CC 2-0 Village Manchester
During the half time team talk Connell encouraged his players to use the channels more and take advantage of the wind being behind them.
And it was a great start to the half as Village grabbed a goal with five minutes gone. Archer's 'clever' pass found Bolgar in a little bit of space and the Slovakian's unstoppable smart shot flew past the helpless keeper. 2-1
Unfortunately Village soon found themselves two behind again as the Denton number 10 grabbed his hat-trick. An out-swinging cross from the left found the striker unmarked at the back post and he headed the ball in past a stranded Crosby. 3-1
The goal prompted some changes as Mullender was brought back on for Johnson (rolling subs are permitted in this competition) and McPherson came on for Sal.
The game started to get a bit unnecessarily aggressive as the Denton number 12 began to lose his head and wanted to pick an argument with anyone close to him. And Wilson was subjected to a horror lunging tackle from an opponent near a corner flag which he was thankful he managed to get out of the way of.
Denton grabbed their fourth as an attacker broke down their right, forced their way past a defender and struck an angled shot across the keeper into the far side of the goal. 4-1.
And their fifth came from a cross down Village's left which found a Denton attacker in the penalty who rose highest to nod the ball towards goal and out of Crosby's reach. 5-1
The defeat saw Village exit the competition at the first hurdle and they can have few complaints about the result. It is now back to league action for the team as they face Deloitte next Sunday.
Full time: Denton CC 5-1 Village Manchester
Next matches:
VMFC1 v Deloitte
11am
Sunday 26 October
University playing fields, Wythenshawe
Manchester Accountants Football League
Rainbow v VMFC2
4.15pm
Sunday 26 October
Wright Robinson College, Gorton
Manchester City Central League