After the solid 9 - 0 victory vs Bankfield the week before, Coeur knew that they would have to produce a performance equal in effort and class to take anything against an Old Xavs side packed full of experience.
Coeur were welcoming back a few players who were missing last week, yet found more selection problems as Gav Scott and Paul Morgan joined the injured list and Chris Speed had been called up to play for the first team in the Liverpool Premier League.
Coeur started the game well and were on top in a feisty encounter, with Xavs showing their typical physical approach to the game. Xavs showed all their experience in quickly identifying which Coeur players they were to designate for special treatment. Darren Carr and Craig Burns were both dumped unceremoniously to the ground, before Mick Kennedy was on the end of a potentially leg breaking tackle. Coeur showed all their mental resolve that they have gained over the last two seasons, having been promoted twice, and Xavs game plan was failing to disturb Coeur's superiority on the pitch.
Fittingly Coeur took the lead after 30 minutes with last weeks 5 goal hero Mick Kennedy feeding Craig Burns in down the inside right channel. Craig took the ball into his stride and thumped the ball into the far corner of the net for his first goal of the season.
A second goal looked on the cards for Coeur and they almost got it minutes later. Andy Rannard must have thought the teams had changed ends as he found himself at the opposite end of the pitch to his usual station.
That can be the only explanation as he diverted the ball over the bar from 12 inches out, when it seemed far easier to score.
Xavs only chance came from a free kick curled in from the right. The forward met it well and Si Furlong stopped it by palming it up in the air, then catching it as it dropped out of the sky.
Half Time 1 - 0
The second half saw Coeur creating many chances but failing to extend their lead. Craig Burns came closest to doubling the lead when he struck a shot from the left. The keeper swiped at it with his left foot, slicing it off his shin, and heaving a sigh of relief as it spun agonisingly past the post.
Sacre Coeur's injury problems worsened as both Mick Kennedy and Darren Carr had to leave the pitch. The team reshuffled with Rob Philiskirk moving from the left to the right and Tom Shipley coming on to take up the left hand side berth. Old Xavs took advantage of the reshuffle and provided a stern test for the Coeur's makeshift backline. It shows though, how good Coeur have become at the back as they comfortably held Xavs out. Andy Rannard was actually closest to scoring for Xavs, as the ball squirmed off his balding pate ad struck the post.
Coeur had further chances on the break to finish the game off, but eventually had to settle for a hard fought 1 - 0 victory.
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Mick Carr |
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