Staff v Student Charity Shield - Match Report

Staff Team
Back row (L-R): Rhys Pockett, (John White, assistant ref), Steve Conlan, Keir Lewis, Ricardo Del Sol, Angel Perez-Diz, Greg Barber, Paul Jones, Paul Davies, Mark Wyatt.

Front Row (L-R): Gareth Morgan (& ball boys), Dave Lewis, Mark Rees, Phil Maull (captain).

Not pictured: Robert Leonard, Lewis Francis

All the teams together

Team Lineup - Match 1, Staff v 1st Year GEP

4-4-2

1. P Maull (c)
2. M Wyatt
3. P Jones
4. G Barber
5. D Lewis
6. P Lewis
7. R Del Sol
8. R Pockett
9. S Conlan
11. L Francis
15. A Perez-Diz

Subs:

12. R Leonard
13. M Rees
14. G Morgan
10. K Lewis

Team Lineup - Match 3, Staff v 2nd Year GEP

4-4-2

1. P Maull (c)
2. M Wyatt
3. P Jones
4. G Barber
6. P Lewis
7. R Del Sol
9. S Conlan
10. K Lewis
13. M Rees
14. G Morgan
15. A Perez-Diz

Subs:
5. D Lewis
8. R Pockett
12. R Leonard


Match 1: Staff v First Year GEP

At 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday 21^st June 2006 the whistle blew and the Staff kicked off the inaugural Swansea School of Medicine Staff v Student Charity Shield Tournament. After recent training sessions and a heavy defeat in a warm up game the staff exhibited a few nerves in the first half but soon began to get their passing game working. However, the staff displayed little attacking threat and aside from a few weak efforts the first years’ defence was not troubled. The first years began to press but the midfield and defence of the staff team looked strong and the half finished at 0-0 with the staff keeper only having to make 1 save of note.

Bouyed by their first half display the staff made three changes at half time. On came Robert Leonard, Keir Lewis and Mark Rees, in place of Greg Barber, Angel Perez-Diz and Steve Conlan. The new found confidence of the staff team was quickly shattered however when a lack of communication at the back led to a curling cross being deflected into his own net by Paul Lewis with the keeper stranded. The staff team were rocked by this and began to lose shape and discipline, which culminated in a penalty when Paul Jones was adjudged to have blocked a shot with his arm. Paul was shown the red card by referee Pat Button, and Conor Davis placed the ball on the spot for the first years. The shot was struck low but centrally and the keeper managed to keep it out, and block the follow up, but he could do nothing as Nick Burtonshaw blasted in the loose ball from 3 yards. As the staff tried to hit back, they were quickly undone by the pace of the first years and Robert Glenn hit a low drive from the edge of the area, which crept in at the back post past a rooted goalkeeper. Disheartened a fourth soon followed as Neil Jones swept into the area past several defenders before turning and hitting a fine low drive into the bottom corner, past the keeper’s despairing dive with virtually the last kick of the game, and 4-0 was how it ended.

Match 2: First Year GEP v Second Year GEP

After inflicting a heavy defeat on the staff, the first years knew that a win or draw would see them crowned champions and looked confident. They made a number of changes for the second match, but the second years looked determined to take the trophy. The game began to get a little scrappy as it progressed with both sides being forced to defend and numerous free kicks were conceded. The second years captain, Rob Owens, was cautioned for dissent and the first half again finished goalless. Both keepers made some important saves before Henry Burnand netted the winning goal. Ruth Pennington was forced to make a desperate goal line clearance but the second years managed to defend their lead and take the victory 1-0.

Match 3: Staff v Second Year GEP

The result of the student clash left the tournament wide open, and both teams knew they had a shot at the title. After conceding so many in the first match, the staff had a massive uphill struggle to win by at least seven to erase this, but they were determined to give it a go and come away with their pride restored. The second years knew that avoiding defeat would see them take the trophy and were equally determined. Captain Phil Maull made a number of changes for the second match, bringing in Gareth Morgan on the left wing and Mark Ress on the right, with Mark Wyatt moving into the centre of defence. Angel Perez-Diz was paired up front with Keir Lewis.

The staff kicked off and immediately looked to have found the rhythm they had in the opening half of the first game, but quickly the second years began pressing and forced a number of errors, but were restricted to long shots which posed no threat to the keeper. Then, against the run of play, some poor defending by the second years let in Angel Perez-Diz to slam home a deflected shot which gave the staff team an unexpected lead. This immediately spurred the second years on and they almost pulled level when Laurence Grey burst through the staff defence after latching onto a long ball and tried to lift it over the keeper, only to see his lob well saved. Greg Barber and Ricardo Del Sol played brilliantly in the centre of midfield, shielding the back 4 well, but again the Staff found it difficult to support their attacking players. As referee Diane Owen blew for half time, the staff led 1-0.

The staff decided not to make any substitutions at half time and continues to press for another goal, but after little attacking threat from either side the Staff took off Barber, Keir Lewis and Paul Jones and replaced them with Robert Leonard, Rhys Pockett and David Lewis. The second years began to press once again looking for the equalised which could give them the trophy and the game began to descend into chaos as tempers flared and challenges flew in. The referee dismissed Del Sol for two bookable offences late on but the staff held out for the victory with some resilient defending from their back four and the match finished 1-0.

Sadly, with a goal difference of -3, this was not enough to lift the staff team off the bottom and the trophy went to the first years, with a goal difference of +3.

All that remained to do was present the first ever School of medicine Charity Shield to the First Year GEP team and captain Jon Finnegan, and count up the money raised: £140 for the MedSoc charities. Everyone had a great time and we would like to thank everyone that helped make this event possible.

Have no fear – the Staff Team will be back stronger than ever!