Castleton Gabriel’s Vs Leek CSOB

Finally back at Castleton Sports centre, Gab’s were looking for a good result after the 9-0 drumming against Padiham midweek, and it would be an up-hill task with confidence obviously low. With ex Man City reject Carl winstanley injured, Andrew Pheby deputised at right wing, and Dean Watkinson was pushed into centre back with the absence of another Man city reject Michael Ward.

Gabs needed a performance, and a quick start, and from they off they were on the attack. Andrew Pheby trying his luck from 25 yards out, but his shot easily caught by the leek goalkeeper.

Continuous Pressure from Gabs for the first 15 minutes resulted in several excellent chances. Most notably Nathan Eastmond put through from the left, his pace left the defender for dead, but instead of drilling the ball into the back of the net, he attempted a neat chip from 7 yards out, and unfortunately failed to convert. Brad Barrington in a similar situation also failed to capitalise on what was looking like a weak Leek CSOB defence.

Castleton dominated the majority of the first half. Every Leek attempt at a run, cross or through ball was met by the solid defensive partnership of Watkinson and McCann. The only effort of the first half was a long-range shot that was comfortably dealt with by the Castleton stopper.

Obviously scoring had been a recent problem (as well as defending) and with several chances spurned I began to wonder if it was going to be another one of those days for Gabs. But I was left to rue my words because after 42 minutes Gabs broke the deadlock. Christian Evans who had yet to score this season controlled the ball in the Leek area, neatly turned with the ball between two defenders and fired into the back of the net. 1-0.

Half time and Gabs were looking very solid. The Jackson and Riley partnership in midfield was working well, and Nathan Eastmond’s skill and pace was a big problem for a poor Leek defence. Hopefully Gabs would be able to extend their lead and not concede late on in the game, for which they have a tendency for doing.

Leek began the second half needing a better performance if they were to salvage anything out of the game, and they started well and with more intent, but the head of Watkinson prevented any ball breaking through the Castleton defence. Several attempts down the wing resulted in nothing more than the ball boys collecting the ball from the adjacent fields.

After fifteen minutes Castleton took control of the game again. Despite playing very deep and with what at times looked like a 6 man defence, they held up the ball well. Few chances were created and the game was played in the centre of the park for the majority of the half. Andrew Pheby on one occasion ran through several Leek players, played a neat through ball to Christian Evans, who one on one with the keeper, shot wide and failed to add to his tally. Brad Barrington also saw his powerful shot from the left go agonisingly over the bar.

In the latter stages of the game Leek applied more pressure to the Gabs. But the team that had conceded 9 goals only 3 days earlier didn’t make the same mistake again and much to the delight of the ‘bumper’ 35 strong Castleton crowd claimed Gab’s 2nd victory of the season.
Andrew Pheby was named man of the match. But he along with Dean Watkinson and Nathan Eastmond all had excellent games, and a strong team performance will give confidence to gab’s for Saturday’s opponent’s…Holker Old Boys.