23rd August 2008, Penrith 2 Dunston FFC 0, League Fixture.

Fed turned in a very disappointing display today after the long trip to Cumbria. It could have been different as after only 20 seconds Michael Dixon was played into a good position and keeper Holland saved well with his feet and although the rebound hit the striker in the head he was unable to control and the ball went about a foot wide. As the game kicked off really early this goal would have been recorded as 2.56pm! Fed looked good early on and 2 minutes later new signing Sheeran tried his luck from the edge of the area and although from my angle I could see the effort was going wide the keeper did not know this and saved for a corner. Penrith’s first chance came after 8 minutes when Reed was played clear but would have been disappointed to have hit well high and wide. As the half went on the home side grew stronger but chances were rare – after 24 minutes home full back Birch hit a vicious low 25 yarder which Poskett did well to save. Fed hit back and Bulford controlled a long pass and tried his luck from 20 yards but straight at the keeper. The home side then went on the attack and when the Fed defence only half cleared a cross Lynn hit on the volley but his effort was blocked for a corner. Fed were awarded a free-kick 30 yards out after 41 and Rattle’s ambitious effort was over the bar. Not a great first half by any standards.

Within 5 minutes of the restart Fed were effectively out of this game. After 48 minutes the home side took the lead when after some good work on the right Birch found Douglas who finished well. A couple of minutes later a long ball from defence bounced over the head of the defence allowing Reed to run on and chip the keeper to make it 2-0. It could have been worse for the Fed after 58 when a right sided corner found Reed only a yard out but Poskett dived at his feet and stopped any scoring chance. From another corner 5 minutes later the ball found Birch 25 yards out whose swerving shot was easily saved by Poskett. Fed had a late rally but in all honestly never seriously threatened. After 69 cross from the right from Cattanach found Sheeran at the far post but he was unable to get any accuracy on his header. Another right sided cross was left by Bulford and Dixon was unable to get a header on target. Even though the stats show Fed had their chances they never really looked liked getting back into this game and Penrith were worthy winners.

Fed: Poskett, Cattanach, Rattle, Robson, Headley, Young, Burns, Dixon, Sheeran, Bulford, Pickering (subs: Preen, Logan, Pattinson, Moat, Barratt)

Penrith: Holland, Birch, Jones, Gray, Robertson, Lynn, Lea, Blaylock, Reed, Robinson, Douglas (subs: Errington, Paul, Jackson, Pattinson, Wilson)

Stats: Attempts : Fed 13 Penrith 8; On target Fed 3 Penrith 6; Corners Fed 6 Penrith 5; Fouls committed Fed 13 Penrith 16; Offside Fed 4 Penrith 0

Fed up News Man of the Match – I asked 2 people and got Cattanach and Bulford – so shared...