An early bank holiday Monday in May saw a large crowd come out on a sunny morning to witness a goal fest with a very unique footballing situation. Both teams ended the match with an outfield player in goal due to injuries to both goalkeepers, we wish them both well and hope they have a speedy recovery.
The hosts came out of the blocks the quickest and came close within just a couple of minutes as a cross from the right was headed over the bar by Lloyd White. Minutes later and White was once again causing issues for the Ipplepen defence as a good bit of play on the edge of the box ended with White curling an effort just wide of the target.
Ipplepen were slow getting into the game but they came close with twenty minutes on the clock as Lee Fenner sent an effort towards goal from the edge of the box which was well saved by Elmore keeper Henry Russell with the ball falling to Jake Elms whose effort hit the far post.
The deadlock was broken with just under half an hour played as Robbie Terry bought down Freddie Ansley inside the area for a penalty. Up stepped Sam Jones who calmly finished into the bottom left corner.
On the stroke of half time things went from bad to worse for the visitors as Robbie Terry went down injured and it would be the end of his match as he came off injured being replaced between the sticks by veteran outfield player Nick Edmunds.
The Pens came out in the second half stronger as they looked for an equaliser and they were rewarded for their efforts as they were given the chance to level from a spot kick of their own. In almost a carbon copy of the opening penalty, Riley Price broke into the box and was bought down by home keeper Russell leaving the referee with no option but to point to the spot. This was the end of the match for Henry Russell who left the pitch injured meaning an outfield player had to go in goal. Lee Fenner stood up to take the penalty and finished into the bottom right corner.
Midway through the second half the visitors had a complete collapse over a spell of eight minutes when they conceded four goals putting the game out of sight. Elmore took the lead as Lloyd White beat the offside trap and curled his effort past the step in goalkeeper. Taylor Stansfield made it 3-1 with a far post tap in following a ball from the right and it was soon 4-1 as Cody Stansfield found himself through on goal before slotting past Edmunds.
The fifth goal of the crazy spell came with just over quarter of an hour left on the clock as Whites shot was saved by Edmunds with the rebound falling to Taylor Stansfield to finished from close range.
In the second minute of injury time a ball from the left fell to Taylor Stansfield who completed his hat-trick of close range efforts and completed the scoring for the afternoon.
A disappointing end to the season for Ipplepen and a bank holiday to remember for the hosts but ultimately we would like to wish both keepers a speedy recovery.
Elmore team: Henry Russell, Lucas White, Mike Humpfreys, Connor Heard, Jacob Brooks, Sam Jones, Dan Cole, Lloyd White, Cody Stansfield, Freddie Ansley, Brandon Parsons
Subs: Charlie O’Loughlin, Will Findlay, Nat Bishop, Taylor Stansfield, Tom Bedingham
Ipplepen Athletic team: Robbie Terry, Brandon Hughes, Ashton Ballard, Josh Hurren, Lee Fenner, Jake Elms, Elliot Simson, Kai Swann, Beck Hannah, Ray Crooks-Lawal, Nick Edmunds
Subs: Matt Micklewright, Louis Coles, Riley Price, Zak Carnell, Owen Higgins