FINAL SCORE:

Modbury........................3 Tantamount FC........... 1

Report by Ben Howarth

Tantamount had something to prove when they rocked up to Larkfield Leisure Centre this week, following an embarrassing showing against rivals Wheatsheaf the week before. The omens, however, didn’t look good prior to the match. Modbury had a game earlier produced an efficient and composed performance to beat Sunday Session 3-0. Tantamount, on the other hand, had been on a birthday lash the night before, and decided to look through the photos from the evening rather than warm up. As Ryan Charman, one of the few members of the side without a hangover, took the centre kick it was the first time a Tanta had kicked a ball all week. Modbury’s strength is their solidity, but it was a slow-ish start for them, and Tantamount more than matched them. Considering this was only the second time they had met, the link up play between Ryan and Ollie was impressive, and I don’t think Modbury were expecting such accomplished passing. Jacobs provided a more energetic option on the left wing, (and defended well too). All in all, this was a fine attacking display. Ben Howarth, in his now familiar sweeper position, had little to do for the opening minutes, and even when a shot did fly towards goal, Spencer looked focussed and assured.

Unfortunately, Modbury began to show more flair, and produced a clever build up to drag the Mount out of position, leaving Spencer too much to do with a powerful shot. But Tantamount didn’t stop playing, and another great move from Ryan gave Ollie the ball in a bit of space, and from distance he produced a powerful shot, which sneaked in under the bar. A fine goal, and Tantas were back in the match, and had breached the impressive Modbury defense, a feat Sunday Session hadn’t managed. Just before half time, Modbury regained the lead, and this time they were to hold on to it, but it was a fine performance none the less. The second half was another good showing. Modbury did hit the bar twice and the post, but Pilcher restricted them to long efforts with his incisive defending. He always seems to be where the ball is about to go, a vital asset for a defender. Modbury did bag a third, but Tantamount made them work for it. Moody - out on the left for the second half - and Sam Charman on the right both defied the hangover gods to produce some mazy runs down both wings, and Ryan Charman posed a constant threat - he deserved a goal. Modbury will be celebrating promotion soon, but Tantamount can take heart from making them work hard for their points today.

Ryan - set up Ollie for the goal

LINE-UP: Spencer; O.Howarth, B.Howarth, Jacobs; R.Charman SUBS: Pilcher, S.Charman, Moody

SCORERS: O.Howarth 6

Manager's Comments:

"After last week's disaster, I'm pleased with this display. As in previous meetings we pushed Modbury hard but unfortunately came undone by some great attacking play. They beat Sunday Session earlier in the day 3-0, which is an amazing result and shows what a great side Modbury are. We were a bit unlucky, we had some chances which were either slightly off target or well saved, and finishing proved to be the difference between the teams. We all put in a poor display last week but everyone was on top form today and we gave a good account of ourselves. James had a great game in goal, Ryan kept the play up their end with some great attacking football and Ollie scored a superb goal, a reward for another top performance. All in all we can be very pleased, despite the result. Modbury are the league leaders and we gave them a game."