Match Report 7th March 2015: St Breward AFC vs Veryan

Richard Brown was forced to start the match without 7 first team players ahead of their home game against Veryan who went into this match with a 56-match unbeaten streak lasting around 3 seasons long. Brown played a 4-1-4-1 formation which has been common throughout this season for St Breward. Lee Newton started in goal in place of regular first team goalkeeper Ben Shaw. The side saw an unusual back 4, Nathan Elliot start as a make-shift Right Back as supposed to normally playing Right Midfield, Oli Mitchell started at Left-Back despite rarely playing at all this season, Captain Karl Croft dropped back into centre-half alongside the only recognised defender Dan Couch. Martin Jago was rewarded with a start at Right Midfield, Kelvyn Tootle started out on the left, and the central midfield trio saw Ben French, Wayne Davey and Rob Marks start as a midfield trio with Davey being the more defensive out of the three. Luke Richards started as the lone striker. Due to their squad limitations, St Breward only had 3 substitutes. Player-Manager Richard Brown, Dave Ord and Jonty Colman who was part of the matchday squad for the first time in over 2 months after trouble with a recurring knee injury.

The first real chance fell to Veryan who had a glorious opportunity to go 1-0 up after five minutes. A free kick whipped in from distance was punched away from home goalkeeper Lee Newton to another opposition player who blazed the rebound over from close range.

Veryan again troubled Breward 7 minutes later after a low drive cross flashed trough the home penalty box but was cleared for a corner by defender Dan Couch.

A minute later, the home side had their first real opportunity after a fantastic long ball from Oli Mitchell picked out Martin Jago whose header just goes over the bar.

Veryan then had 3 half chances in the space of 4 minutes although none of them were able to trouble Lee Newton in goal.

Despite, being the most dominant with the ball, St Breward were only really making chances from crosses which was again proven in the 22nd with this time Martin Jago turning provider after a good cross over the defence Richards through one on one although his header went straight at the keeper.

St Breward's defence were proving to be difficult to break down with Veryan's next 2 chances being forced to be from distance with neither of them really posing any threat to the home side.

Veryan eventually broke down the home team in the 33rd minute although was stopped after a fantastic last ditch clearance from Kelvyn Tootle. Veryan also had the final 2 chances of the first half with the first forcing a good double save out of the goalkeeper, and the second being a corner which went straight through the Breward penalty area.

St Breward had an early scare five minutes into the second half after Newtons clearance span backwards towards the Breward penalty area, Mitchell was unable to clear which put a Veryan forward through on goal although a good save from Newton prevented the home side going behind.

Veryan again test Newton with an acrobatic volley just inside the penalty area although Newton was able to prevent it from going in.

St Breward then went on the counter attack and some great battling from Marks put him in a good position and was able to put Luke Richards through on goal although he was unable to put the home side ahead.

In the 58th minute Veryan could have easily been 1-0 up after some great passing put their striker through their defence his first touch flicked over the last man although he was unlucky to turn his volley just over.

St Breward had mainly dominated the game via their midfield trio although in the 64th minute the successful trio were split up after Rob Marks was forced off injured. Brown bough on Dave Ord in his place with Richards dropping to central midfield and Ord playing as the lone striker.

The missing work-rates from Marks was instantly shown 2 minutes after he came off after some great passing from the away side led to a moment of magic from the winger who cut in from the left and struck home his shot on the angle from 12 yards out perfectly in the top left corner.

6 minutes later the home side had one of their best chances of the match after a great run and delivery from Martin Jago picked out Luke Richards in the box whose header that was flying towards the top left right corner forced a class save out of the visitors goalkeeper.

The only player to be cautioned in the match was Martin Jago who was booked in the 73rd minute after an awful overstretched lunge gave the referee no option but to book him.

In the 75th minute, Veryan could have gone 2 goals clear after a great through ball went over captain Karl Croft and sent the away side through on goal although Newton was able to tip the shot onto the post and the rebound was somehow put wide. 

In the 80th minute Rob Marks re-appeared in place of Ben French with Brown putting Richards up front with Ord in a 4-4-2 formation in search of a late equaliser.

3 minutes later Brown was forced to bring himself on in place of Mitchell who was struggling with cramp.

4 minutes into stoppage time, Brown gave away a clumsy penalty which could have given Veryan a 2 goal lead however another top quality save from Lee Newton kept it at a 1-0 full time result.

The game finished 1-0 to Veryan which keeps them at the top of the Duchy 3 league with St Breward in 6th. St Breward put in one of their performances of the season without 7 first team players, Veryan themselves claimed they were by far the closest team to ending the streak and applauded the home team as they walked into the dressing room. Lee Newton had a spectacular game in goal preventing a number of very close chances for the away side. The midfield trio of Rob Marks, Wayne Davey and Ben French really gave Veryan problems in the middle of the park and was a noticeable absence when the trio were split up. The makeshift back 4 certainly prevented a lot of chances and were solid throughout the match.