So it was friendly number 2 and the competition was getting stronger, this week it was MJPL’s Littleover Dazzlers and a grudge match between the Sewter brothers with big Josh in goal for us and his younger brother in goal for Dazzlers…… what could possibly go wrong ? ?????????
Whilst setting up the goals etc the wind picked up considerably and it was clear to see this was going to be a factor to the game. For the first half we were against the wind so knew it was going to be a tough challenge, particularly given the opposition.
As the whistle blew however we looked good, very good in fact, cool and composed on the ball, everything we were trying to drill into the lads and soon enough we were 1-0 up. A great corner from Kailem allowed Josh King to cooly head it home. The perfect start.
I think this shocked Dazzlers a bit and there composure diminished slightly, Jayden was playing in left back at this point and as he received the ball he went on one of his fantastic customary runs and put the most sublime ball straight through for Kailem to run onto which cut there team in half ! As Kailem went one on one with there keeper there would only be one winner. 2-0 to Chellaston and a lovely finish once again for Kailem which is exactly what we are coming to expect.
Next up was Arjen, a strong determined run took him round the back of the defence and his shot (or cross ?) was bundled into the oppositions net. I personally would have given the goal to Arjen but he told me it was an own goal (too honest for his own good ??) ! 3-0.
Against the weather and against a clearly very good side, this couldn’t be going any better until……. They popped up with a goal of their own. They were clearly not giving up and not used to loosing. 3-1.
Following some subs the team shape had to change and this much to Jaydens delight, allowed him to move a little further forward. Jay was clearly angered by us conceding a goal therefore following a through ball from Harry L he smashed it into the net. 4-1. Shortly after following a good run of play from the opposition it was 4-2.
Jayden really had the bit between his teeth now and although he was being swapped about and asked to play all over the field allowing more of the squad to be utilised, when he came back on he was the most determined on the pitch and after a neat ball from Finley C it was 5-2.
This was turning into an incredible game of football from both teams and was really showing the grit and desire that our re-shaped team now had.
Unfortunately as the rain started to come down and the light began to fade so did our composure and our teams legs started to look a little heavy. Next it was 5-3, then 5-4 and now 5-5. We were putting absolutely everything on the line, the opposition players were winding us up, their parents were winding us up, there was a real cup final edge and feel about this game now. With 1 minute left following a crushing tackle from one of our defenders they were awarded a free kick on the edge of the box. A low driven shot through the wind and rain made it though our defensive wall and into the back of the net. With low light and extreme weather conditions the only way I knew it was in the back of the net was by the huge celebrations the opposing team and parents were having. 5-6 to Dazzlers and that is how the game would end.
Well what can I say, if you were a neutral surely it must have been as good as watching a Derby Forest game, it had everything !! Goals galore, pushing, shoving, pitch invasions from two sets of the opposing teams parents, torrential weather, 2 brothers going head to head and a massive comeback from Dazzlers. It’s taken me until now to calm down !!
Now OK, we lost but the lads have to remember that we lost to an incredibly good team. A team that play many divisions above us and we competed….. really competed, so they should be as proud of themselves as I am of each and every one of them. The whole squad did their bit to the very best of their ability and no one can ask more. They were all visibly upset at the final whistle and I was gutted, gutted for them. The team spirit they showed however was second to none and Im absolutely sure that at the next game, they will be back bigger and better than ever. There were also lessons to be learned. We must keep calm, we must keep our composure, we must not get talked into doing silly things, playing silly games and reacting to silly comments. I was also at fault and learned many things. I could have made different decisions, I could have made different decisions at different times but this is a team game and we win and lose as a team, myself included but one thing I am sure about is….. I can't wait to do it all again !!!
Well done all and although there were many battlers and warriors out there, man of the match for me went to Jayden. Just a fantastic individual performance in every position I asked him to play and believe me, I asked him to play in a few !!
Another special mention goes to Ben. An integral part of the team for many years past and hopefully many moving forward. Again he was asked to play in many positions to accommodate the squad we had available on the night and did so without complain and with great composure all night. I knew the lads were against a good team when towards the end of the match I asked him to go back on and play centre mid and he said to me “are you sure, they’re really good you know”. Yes Ben I know, and so are you !!
Thanks also to every one that helped with Brendan being away, Rob, Mark, Jules etc…. I really appreciate it.
See you all at the next one which is yet to be confirmed. Up the Chello !! ??????
