Normoss Newton Arms F.C. v Athletico Excelsior F.C.
Athletico Excelsiors' season so far hasn't quite gone to plan so far. A couple of avoidable losses heaped misery on a team deserving of better results. Last week on finally came in the form of an 8 - 0 victory and now a keen team with a decidedly strong squad are focused on starting the season again from this match with a new level of determination and passion.
First Half
Athletico Excelsior have tried repeatedly in training to install the mind set of a controlled, consistent and accurate passing/possession game and the drills seemed to have sunk in, in the first 15 minutes. Excelsior moved the ball solidly and took hold of the game early on asking questions of a high league placed Normoss. A couple of chances fell early with Excelsior unable to break the deadlock despite looking the much stronger team.
GOAL! Normoss
I hate to say it but Excelsior are now starting to show a pattern in this and previous games of pushing well early on but unfortunately losing goals to lack of concentration. The first Normoss goal came ridiculously against the run of play. A silly midfield ball left the back line exposed and a through ball caught everyone sleeping the ball was fizzed past a static Ross Parker in goal Normoss' first chance and only clear chance they will see in the remainder of the first half. 1 - 0
Excelsior try to keep the game in the same vain but start giving away possession and Normoss start to take hold of the game switching the play well on what can only be described as a death trap of a pitch. An early head injury to defensive talisman Ben Davies shocks the Excelsior players as the ref is just waving play on while Ben in clearly in dire straits. Ben is walked off the pitch complaining of vision problems. The ref has not seen the last of him though.
Banny is moved to centre back and Joe McMillan brought on to play left wing leaving Lonsdale to partner Wrighty upfront.
Excelsior finally started to get a hold of the game again with Banny now playing as a sweeper role linking up well with the midfield and especially Carey who made a few great runs only to lack the final ball in the final third. That was Excelsiors problem in the first half it wasn't so much playing a pass but looking for the right one.
GOAL! Excelsior
A good long ball forward catches Normoss unaware as Excelsior change tact for a moment it is headed on by Andy to find new boy Steve Wright up front in a one on one with the keeper he had a lot of options and chose the outrageous cooly lifting the ball over the advancing keeper with a side footed volley. Great finish.
Shane tactics are put to the test as he starts switching around the shape again, despite the initial changes proceeding to an equalising goal. Questionable decision by the manager will the risk pay off? Not this time. His changes do however create a situ of stalemate. Normoss are now rallyed by the equaliser and start to fight for every ball. The remainder of the half is just a wash of bodies all battling for control of the game with neither side able to get a foot hold on the game until the half time whistle brings a welcome breather.
Second Half
Normoss fly out of the blocks at Excelsior who despite the half time pep talk from manager McKenna are struggling to start the second half with the same vigour with which they began the first. Tiredness is a problem as the heavy ground can sap stamina incredibly quickly.
GOAL! Normoss
A crashing challenge leads to a Normoss freekick on the edge of the box near the right byline. Good organistion speed by Excelsior getting men marked up but one man roams spare at the near post. The freekick is taken quickly and it is backheeled into the net by the lone midfielder. Another set piece concede for Excelsior who now have conceded 8 set pieces in 5 games. A very worrying pattern that must surely now require action.
GOAL! Normoss
The next goal has come not ten minutes after the first and is another defensive mix up for Excelsior. Although the make shift defence have done extremely well, Marc in particular has played superbly, gaps are starting to appear on a regular basis. A loose ball on the edge of the area is intercepted an fed through to the now in full stride recently brought on attacker who simply takes on three defenders and slots it home from 3 yards. Too easy! All around are thinking that A.E. will surely now implode.
Joe Davies is brought on for Jacques McKenna and put onto the left wing switching flanks with Sean Lonsdale.
Excelsior have started to move the ball well yet again finding solid ground. In the face of collapse Excelsior have decided to fight their corner and it is causing nightmares for Normoss. They create three quickfire chances without anyone able to hit the target.
GOAL! Excelsior
A team move leads to a blocked shot giving Excelsior a corner. Lonsdale is on it. He swings the ball brilliantly onto a rising Wrights' head with pinpoint accuracy and despite the best challenge coming from our Banny, nods it home to secure his brace.
Athletico want it now and they are pushing for the equaliser with ruthless aggression. The fight for the second ball has come finally and the link up play between all the frontline players is just brilliant to watch. Normoss are tiring and Excelsior seem to be flying on a second wind.
GOAL! Excelsior
We are now a couple of minutes into the last ten and Excelsior win a throw in line with the edge of the oppositions box. Joe McMillan has a long throw in his locker he has been saving for such an occasion and launches it onto Lonsdales head just 4 yards out which he turns into and dispatches confidently past a flailing keeper.
Eight minutes remain and Excelsior push for the winner to no avail. The final whistle brings a well earned draw. The fight back was brilliant, the football wonderful considering the pitch condition. Most importantly Excelsior fought for everything and only just outplayed a team at the peak end of the table. Well done everyone but the Man of the Match today was without question Marc Parker was as our captain would say INSPIRATIONAL! He won every ball he went for, made every pass and every tackle. You may not like to think so but you have made that position your own. But the truth of the matter is everyone deserves to be proud of that performance and we are getting better every week. Lets keep improving. Win together, Draw together, Lose together UTAE!
Football Highlight Of The Week
(Sing TV Burp tune)
Will and friend turning up absolutely legless to support us. Will with can in hand + attempting to kick the ball in trainers + wet and muddy pitch + pissed = Fall down flat on back losing beer and whole team side splitting laughter. Brilliant!
