St Martins Reserves 1, Technical Services FC 3 –
This fixture was top vs bottom clash, weather conditions made the game very difficult for both teams as they really struggled to find a rhythm. Once again the game started with both teams having one minute silence in memory of a St Martins Player who was tragically killed in an accident and the Shropshire Alliance Leagues’ well wishes go out to the St Martins club and family & friends. Technical Services did start the brighter as they got the ball down, playing short quick passes and running with the wind in the face. Kevin Price pressured the St Martins defence into making a mistake which left Kevin Price with the ball; he then crossed low and hard to find Ben Crump for an easy tap in. As conditions worsened it start to be a game about the two midfields, as the ball kept hanging in the air and causing both sides a number of problems. Just before half time a quick free kick was taken by the home side, the ball hung in the air dropping into the away side’s 18 yard box and rolling off the St Martins striker’s shin into the bottom corner and giving the home side some encouragement going into half time level. The wind started to play havoc again at the start of the second half but Technical Services started to use the wings to get effect, a mix up in the St Martins box saw Craig Williams with a free shot and he finished well. Further pressure came from the away side and St Martins could only sit back and defend. Scorer Ben Crump then beat his man to cross to Nick Best who turned the defence and finished well. The St Martins side resulted to long balls and hoped for something on the counter but the Technical Services back four were never troubled and could have had more goals but the weather made the going tough and Technical Services saw out the game for another good 3 points.