Today’s game saw the top two of the league go head to head with only goal difference separating the top two due to the away team having played a game more. The Hippodrome was once again sold out for this eagerly awaited clash. Conditions were once again ideal for football as long as you didn’t stand still for too long, or put the goalpost up wrong again!!!!!! With a near full squad to pick from (only Billy Farley missing as the young man was discussing a move to West Bromwich Albion before the close of the loan market on Thursday tea time.) Once again Graham Macdonald started with his usual 9 as the young Lions looked to make it 6 out of 6.
Joe Moutell
Rico St Hilaire Briayar Maghdeed Aidan Wilkinson
Luke Broadbent Alex Mcdonald Jacob Costello
Cain Wilkinson Harry Smith
Subs Jack Curran Raman Kirkel and Harry Baines
The game started rather subdued as both teams probed and tested each other out, with both sides causing each others defences sticky moments without really testing the keepers. Luke Broadbent was finding space and time on the right and duly won a corner, from the resulting corner the ball spent what seemed like an age bouncing around the away teams area before Jacob Costello had enough and fired the ball home. Like so many games one goal leads to three and soon the home team were 3-0 up as Harry Smith scored on 12 and 20 minutes after excellent work from Cain Wilkinson who unselfishly crossed from the right leaving a simple tap in for the number ten. The team’s third came after good work from Jacob Costello and his mate once again hit the target from an acute angle. The half was to finish 3-0 to the Lions but the scoreline was flattering to them.
HT 3-0
The second half mirrored the first with both teams enjoying spells in possession but it was man of the match Alex Macdonald who put the game to bed when on 35 minutes produced a wonderful strike to beat the keeper all ends up. If there was an award for how many times one player could hit the crossbar in a season it would be A Macdonald, as on 50 minutes the young midfielder let loose again only this time his effort cannoned off the crossbar and fell at the feet of Aidan Wilkinson who made no mistake. With only ten minutes remaining and 5-0, the good manager Graham decided to go substitute mad, whether this disrupted the team or tiredness crept in, who knows, but within 5 minutes Hade Edge had scored three goals and sent alarm bells ringing but as the clock ticked towards full time Jacob Costello threaded the ball through to Cain Wilkinson and the number nine put the final nail into Hade Edge’s coffin.
FT 6-3
Editors thoughts, once again a great team performance and for the first time you came up against a side who matched you for long periods of the game, but you all battled well and earned the three points. Special mention this week goes to Alex Macdonald great goal always a nuisance to the opposition when they have the ball and a fine all round game, well done boys.
Chief Editor j.s
