Nielsen 3-2 EADS - Match Report

Nielsen kept up their unbeaten run with a a deserved win over EADS last night at the thunderous Spytty Park. Nobody seemed to know what exactly EADS stood for, however unlike the last game, Nielsen weren't going to underestimate anybody.

EADS proved to be a real handful with several good players working the Nielsen defence hard. Often playing with 3 or 4 players up top, Nielsen's backline certainly had to be on their toes and thankfully the communication was excellent at the back.

Plenty of grafting was done in defence and midfield, enabling the attack to create several half chances in the first half. Nielsen made the most of the space out wide to get behind the EADS defence however the final ball just wasn't quite right. EADS took the lead therefore and were growing in stature, before Hobby (thanks to a rather dubious shove that the ref missed) managed to create the equalizer via a decent header off the corner which resulted in a scrambled finish.
Halftime and the score was delicately poised at 1-1, both sides with a very good shout of going ahead and taking the maximum points. Nielsen were the first to make their move after 70mins with Shorrock's fine save eventually resulting in Tranter slamming in a quite spectacular finish from a tight angle. You're always most vulnerable just after scoring and this was to prove quite true with EADS grabbing an equaliser. Once again the game was level, however Nielsen's greater gritt and application, and lest we forget a decent amount of skill, saw Tranter cap off a wonderful run with a sweet outside of the boot flick into the bottom corner.

That's how the result stayed with Nielsen playing with pride and determination. It was a hard fought but deserved victory with everyone playing a vital part. Excellent stuff from the boys in black and the unbeaten run continues - title winning form indeed,

Match Performance Rating: 9/10 - a vast improvement over the previous match.

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Ratings

Lanco: Started between the sticks and claimed he was probably going to stay there all game. Yeah right. Didn't actually have too much to do whilst in goal (one dodgy clearance is all I can remember to be fair) and the Rota-Obsessed Gaffer did well when he got outfield. Once again won several important headers and was solid defensively. Seemed to play every position except up top. Sound stuff boss.

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Dabsy: Once more a sterling performance from the sold rightback, faultless. Strong in defence, tackled well, and contributed well in attack when required. Mr Consistency as usual. Even stayed patient as he sat out for the longest 20min period in history.

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Rhys: Upended early on depriving him of the skin on his elbow (who needs skin anyway), got involved and formed part of the hard-working backline. Made up for losing part of his elbow by leaving a few inches of his knee-skin on the Spytty astro. Made a cameo performance as a budding David Bailey during his sub-stint too.

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Foz: A fine debut performance from Foz, looking calm and assured playing the libero role (he was meant to be man-marking actually), Foz was always on hand for the outlet, and made several cover tackles as well as some excellent clearance headers. Sound debut indeed from the Laurent Blanc of Nielsen FC.

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Bully: Another Nielsen FC debutant and Bully did well. Formed an excellent centre half pairing with Foz, playing the grafter role to Foz's relexed schoo of defending. Tackled well, and was assured on the ball. Promising suff, has set a high standard for himself.

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Shorrock: Well well, fresh back from Noo Yawk, Shorrock was still feeling the after effects of jet-lag. However his period between the sticks proved to be a turning point in the game. Shorrock pulled off some quite excellent saves wih one effort particularly stunning. The Cat commanded well and was a vital part of the win.

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Crooky: One dodgy corner apart, and ok, some dodgy finishing, Crooky once again was the midfield playmaker for Nielsen. Always available for the ball and vocal as ever in the middle of the park. Crooky kept going for the full 90 and showed no signs of waning. Solid stuff from the Crookmeister.

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Hobby: Did the altrustic thing and came off when he wasn't due to - this act summed up the man. Solid in midfield, ferocious in the tackle and made some excellent headers. Pulled the strings in midfield with Crooky, with the engine room proving to be the element that helped Nielsen towards victory.

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Huw: Making his comeback from injury, Huw felt his way back into the game. Eventually settled and make some telling clearances and some excellent long balls. Strong in the air, the versatile Roberts surely will play a huge part in the rest of the season, fitness permitting.

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Dov: Helped gloss over his previous nightmare performance between the sticks with an industrious display firstly on the left wing, where he linked up well with the fullback, before moving upfront where his tireless running helped run the EADS defence ragged.

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Cooky: Another Nielsen debutant, and another to work tirelessly for the cause. Pulled the EADS defence across the pitch and was a constant nuisance, proving to be a highly effective foil for his strike partner. Was unfortunate not to get more clear-cut chances.

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Tranter: The Thierry Henry of Nielsen once more lived up to his nickname. Made up for his glaring miss in the previous match with a pair of cracking goals. Always a threat with his pace, Tranter struck a screamer from a tight angle before capping off a fine run with a righ foot (even though he shoulda used his left) finish. Matchwinner.

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Man of the Match