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Alxion Castle Reserves finally kicked off their first game of the season on a sunny Sunday morning at Boston Manor playing fields. Today was a step into the unknown for this 'new' squad as we had no idea of the standard of the sides in division 2. Another question posed was if a team that had not really trained or played together before could gel quickly enough to be competitive.
In the first ten minutes there was a certain amount of rustiness to the game as both sides tried to settle and make their mark. FC Hatton were the brighter of the two sides without really causing the Alxion defence too many headaches with Rich Reid looking very strong at the back. After these tentative first steps into the new season the Alxion boys started to get the ball down and play it about with a certain amount of calmness and guile, Paul and Joe both linking up well and making the midfield area tick over nicely. The first half continued without too much incident, Tim G making his debut in an Alxion shirt was busy on the right hand side of defence, both in going forward and making some timely challenges at the back. Another highlight of the first half were Joe's great set pieces, with Bob and Sam guilty of missing two free headers. A shot from Sam from 25 yards out sailed just wide without really threatening the Hatton keeper and Felix made a great save from a rather ambitious strike from one of their midfield players, with the ball dipping at the last moment and Felix palming it down nicely.
With just seconds left in the first half a counter by Hatton down the right resulted in their striker being tracked by captain Bob. The forward got to the by-line and feigned to cross, by this point the slide tackling captain was firmly on the floor and with no attempt to try and get the ball the Hatton striker 'fell over' the outstretched legs of the Alxion defender. No real complaints for the pen, but never the less it was pretty galling as the player was definitely looking for the contact. FC Hatton scored the resulting penalty.
Half time 0-1
Going in at half time we knew if we could get the ball down and make it stick a little more upfront, then we were well in this game and against one of the better sides in the league.
Alxion started very brightly in the 2nd half with quick, interchanging passing between players. Another Alxion debutant was Jaxon and he won a corner on the left, Joe whipped in resulting corner with Bob meeting the in-swinging ball with a downward header giving the keeper no chance. At this point it was looking like the reserves were going to push on and take the game to the other team but two quick break away goals by FC Hatton made it an uphill struggle to get a result. We got a lifeline though as a through ball to Mick was bought down nicely and at pace he rampaged into the opposition’s penalty area, a slight push in the back and a rather elaborate fall by the Alxion number 9 meant that Paul had the chance from the spot to get us back into the game. He sent the keeper the wrong way. The score was now 2-3 with 30 minutes to go.
With the game starting to open up, the Alxion side started losing its shape a little and fitness starting to show. We conceded two late goals, one being another penalty and the other a break away goal.
Full time 2-5
Though not the result we were all looking for, we more than matched FC Hatton for a majority of the game and if it wasn’t for us being rather unfit and losing our shape the result could have been very different. All in all it bodes well for future games and we will only get better as the season goes on.
Up the Alxion!
p.s I don’t think I will be writing these reports ever week!
