IBIS FC season 2004/05

Final westmorland League tables for season 2004/05,click on tables to enlarge

First team results...Westmorland League Div one

11/05/05 IbisR 2 Braithwaite 2

Ibis fc season 2004/05 came to a close with the reserves home game to Braithwaite,played at Frenchfields Penrith.Conditions & pitch were excellent but it was Braithwaite that played the far better football in the opening 25 minutes,Ibis defence & midfield struggled to get to grips with Braithwaites passing & movement.After 10 minutes Braithwaite went one up when a cross from the right was bundled into yhe net,this was quickly followed by a wicked shot that John Greenop could only parry into the net.Ibis couldn't find any rhythm in their passing & were reduced to hopeful balls & long shots,Braithwaite however were playing slick controlled football,John Greenop saving at an attackers feet & a shot rebounding off the post.The second half saw John Greenop out of goals to play in defence,Andy Hayton taking the gloves & making good use of them with two good saves from low shots.Ibis began to claw their way back into the game as Braithwaite began to tire, failing to clear from a corner allowed Stephen Longcake to rifle home a loose ball.Craig Wilson & Scott O'Callaghan were introduced as Ibis searched for an equaliser which came with 10 minutes to go,Craig Wilsons shot adjudged to have struck a defenders hand,the penalty slotted home by Craig himself.Ibis,who had possibly shaded the 2nd half,were then given a chance to take all the points when Stephen Longcake was brought down in the box with 10 seconds to go,Craig again stepped up sending the keeper the wrong way but his shot was saved by his boot,knocking the ball over the bar as the final whistle went.It would have been an unjust scoreline but credit to Ibis for a good 2nd half performance,Stephen Longcake was tireless up front & Neil Wilson had another steady game

09/05/05 Shap 4 Ibis R 2

With just Jamie Mitchell missing,still injured,the reserves were at full strength for the visit to third placed Shap,fears of a hard physical game were proved correct & young players Scott O'Callaghan & Shaun Gardner were rested.Strong refereeing was needed,two Shap players being booked in the opening 30 minutes as they overpowered Ibis for much of the first half.After 15 minutes a Shap corner was headed in unchallenged at the front post,this was soon cancelled out,Mark Carradus picking the ball up on the right & taking on a Shap defender before hitting a low shot into the far corner.With only a couple of minutes to go in the half a Shap forward was put through & calmly slotted the ball past John Greenop to restore their lead.Andy Hayton,visiting Paris this weekend,practiced some of his French on the team in the interval & to good effect as Ibis began the half with a more positive attitude.They were dealt a hard blow 5 minutes into the half,a low shot from the right increasing the lead.Ibis picked themselves up & began to push Shap back,the introduction of Pete Hetherington & Neil Hartley giving them more bite & with 15 minutes to go Steve Longcake forced his way into the Shap area & volleyed into the top corner.Shap were now on the back foot but when an equaliser looked probable the 2 goal cushion was restored when Ibis failed to close down a Shap player who was allowed to turn & hit the ball into the bottom corner from outside the area.This effectively killed the game but Ibis still battled to the final whistle. James Todhunter & Stephen Jones were strong at the back,Tom Hayton & later Andrew Armistead worked hard in midfield & Stephen Longcake mixed it up front in a game best remembered for a good second half performance.

07/05/05 Ibis 5 Penrith Rangers 1

Chris Ellwood(women trouble),Ryan Ormrod(bad ankle)& Andy Davies(Drink related)were missing for the 1st teams final match of the season,home to Penrith Rangers,played at Frenchfields Penrith.Captain Neil Westmorland & keeper Richard Foster were both playing their final games before retirng(hopefully not).A very strong wind blowing across the pitch made football difficult but Ibis showed good determination in the opening 20 minutes & should have taken the chances their command of the game deserved.This was not to last however & they drifted into a flat period when movement talking & passing became non-existant,this let Penrith into the game & following a cross from the right the ball fell to a Penrith forward who volleyed it into the net.Pete Hetherngton replaced injured Adam Carradus in defence.A half time round up led to a more determined effort & Ibis were soon on level terms,a whipped in cross was met by a diving Liam O'callaghan,his header finding the top corner.After a period of Ibis pressure the game then evened out for a while,Richard Foster being called upon to make three good saves from Penrith breaks.Neil Hartley was introduced in midfield & on 70 minutes Gary Taylor put Ibis in front latching on to a through ball & rounding the keeper,this was soon followed by Liam O'callaghans second,turning in the box his shot going in off the post.Young Neil Wilson making his 1st team debut replaced Neil Westmorland with 15 minutes to go as Ibis began to control the game.In the 80th minute Gary Taylor found room in the area to shoot home his second & minutes later typical twisting & turning gave him space to slot home for his hat-trick.Ibis deserved the win but Five goals was a little harsh on Penrith.Graham Carlos had a good game on the right,Stephen Knowles was strong at the back & Liam O'callaghan caused problems up front but honours fell to Gary Taylor who worked hard throughout & bagged three.

04/05/05 Ibis R 1 Appleby R 0

Following saturdays 1st team defeat at Appleby,the reserves returned for this (home) fixture,rain had eliminated some of saturdays bounce & bobble from the pitch.Young Scott O'callaghan kept his place & 15 yr old Shaun Gardener made his debut at full back.Chances at both ends were created but the finishing touch was just lacking,in an even encounter which had plenty of skill & endeavour from both teams.A free kick into the top corner produced a good finger tip save from Ibis keeper John Greenop,while at the other end Stephen Longcake heading just over.Neil Hartley & Andrew Armistead controlled midfield as Ibis slightly shaded the 1st half.A similar story in the second half a snap shot produced a fine reflex save from John Greenop but despite chances from both sides no breakthrough.The winner came with 5 minutes to go following a move down the left,a lay off from Scott O'callaghan on to Stuart Dixon who hit a sweet 30yd shot into the top of the net.Appleby pressurised but the Ibis defence held firm taking the points in a good even competative match.Neil Wilson at full back stood out with a good mature performance & Shaun Gardner did well in his first game.

30/04/05 Ibis 1 v appleby 3

Ibis travelled to Appleby for this home fixture,Graham Carlos was injured so Andrew Armistead was brought in to central defence,Stephen Knowles moving to midfield.The first 25 minutes saw Ibis miss chances to go in front,these were to prove fatal as Appleby began to dominate in the later stages of the half.Slack marking in the defence finally let Appleby in & the goal came on the last kick of the half.The hair drier treatment at half time did more harm than good & Ibis gave away 2 presented goals straight after the interval.Failure to clear a routine situation let in an Appleby forward but the tame shot was rebounded back to him off keeper Richard Foster,making no mistake the 2nd time.The third came from a back pass which slipped under Richards feet on the bobbly pitch,the keeper made up for the errors with 2 excellent saves. Ibis slowly recovered from these setbacks & at last began to dominate,Andrew Armistead pushing into midfield laid a nice ball through for Gary taylor to cross,Stephen Knowles finishing off.Subs Ryan Ormrod & Liam Ocallaghan working well on the flanks caused trouble for Appleby but the finishing touch wasn't there.Mike Packham remained strong at the back & Stephen Knowles worked hard in midfield.Confidence,passion & concentration are needed for next weeks trip to Penrith Rangers.

Played at Frenchfields.Penrith,the reserves were on top & went 2 up in the openning 25 minutes. Steve longcake latching on to a parried free kick for the first & Tom Hayton with a diving header from a corner made it 2.Ibis let Grasmere back in to the game & they pulled the 2 goals back straight after the break.The game evened out for a spell until Neil Wilsons volley restored the lead on the hour.Ibis then dominated & when Stuart Dixon was brought down in the box,James Todhunter stepped up to increase the lead.After a good move on the left the ball was cut back for Stuart Dixon to strike from the edge of the area.15 yr old Scott O'Callaghan making his senior debut was brought down in the area for Ibis 2nd penalty which he converted himself to round off a good performance.

28/04/05 Ibis 1v Kendal Town 2

This game was played on parkside and with the strong wind in their faces Ibis held their own in the first 30 minutes when both sides searched to break the deadlock.After 25 minutes Kendal failed to clear a corner & Mike Packham volleyed the ball into the bottom corner.Kendal pressed forward & Ibis were guilty of dropping too deep giving Kendal the initiative.Ibis could have gone 2 up when a Chris Ellwood header was well saved by Towns keeper.The equaliser came on the stroke of half time when Ibis failed to clear in the box and a low shot beat stand in keeper Dan Wilkinson.The 2nd half saw Kendal on top for 20 minutes but Ibis got themselves back in the game which remained even for a spell,until,following a break down the left a cross was slotted home for the winner.Ibis failed to get to grips with Chris Park in the Kendal midfield,however this was a better performance than Windermere.Dan Wilkinson in goals & the back 4 of Neil Westmorland,Mike Packham,Stephen Knowles & Adam Carradus did well,Chris Ellwood & Ryan Ormrod worked hard but service & support to these must improve,Stuart Gilpin battled away against a strong Town midfield.

26/04/05 Windermere 2v Ibis 1

A dank moody evening sums up the 1st team performance.Never out of the blocks in the first half Ibis survived continuous pressure & a potential sending off of goalkeeper Richard Foster for a late challenge.After 15 minutes the reduntant Windermere keeper got his hands on the ball when he picked the ball out of the net after Ryan Ormrods 25yd screamer.A very slightly better performance in the 2nd half, but Windermere continued in search of an equaliser which came on the hour following a cross from the left.Two good saves from Richard Foster kept Ibis in the game untill another cross was headed in for the winner.Ibis mounted a fightback in the closing minutes ,the Windermere keeper making a good save from a Stephen Knowles free kick.Too little too late,an improved performance against K Town needed. Noted performance was Stephen Knowles at sweeper.

25/04/05 Ibis Res 3 v Greystoke Res 3

This match was played at Greystoke on a very hard rutty pitch.Ibis were on top in the first half,going 2 up in 10 minutes.Young Eagle Wayne Fishers shot hitting the cross bar found Mark Carradus who slotted home for the first and Pete Hetherington wih a cultured knee volley getting the 2nd .A cross come shot pulled one back for Greystoke but Ibis should have made more of there chances only to be one ahead at half time.The second half saw Greystoke pushing forward more & equalise after 15 minutes.Steve Longcake put Ibis back in front but Greystoke levelled soon after.The game was marred by an injury to Jamie Mitchell who was taken to hospital,diagnosed as a badly sprained ankle.With only 2 minutes to go both teams agreed to finish the game at this point with 3-3 a fair result.Noted games for Ibis were the back 3 of Andrew Armistead,Stephen Jones & Pete Hetherington.