Old England F.C. v Athletico Excelsior F.C.
The stakes have started to raise slightly for the Excelsior lads recently as results and performances have been steadily improving for the last few weeks. A new impetus has taken over and the belief has begun to surface. Due to a consistent turn out as well as a couple of new signings Excelsior seem to have finally achieved a balance that has been seriously lacking in previous imaginings for this team. They approach the match today hoping to gain three points and continue the undoubtable progression that this season has needed.
First Half
Excelsior do not start well. A lack of calmness is winding its way through the team and although technically better Excelsior give the ball away to often on a lightning fast pitch that is still in slip slide effect from the morning dew. Passes are going astray all over the pitch for the first 6 minutes as either team struggle to take a stranglehold of a scrappy start.
GOAL! Old England F.C.
The home side take full advantage of a slip in midfield to slip the ball through to the O.E. striker. He takes the ball in his stride and his first touch is good. He smashes the ball along the ground towards the keepers left. Beating the makeshift goalkeeper Andy and nestling in the back of a shellshocked Excelsior net.
Excelsior now start to take control and push more and more into the opponents half. A couple of chances are created in quick succession and despite the fumbling opposition centre backs no chance is converted. However slowly but surely Excelsior are looking the better and more aggressive team with Old England being chased down by a bulldog like Carey who seemed to demand the ball and get it more often than not. He used it well and with Joe McMillan putting his head down and running at the Old England defence the foes start to look frustrated.
GOAL! Athletico Excelsior
A strong period of possession play sees the ball sent into the Old England area, Sean heads the ball down to Carey who tries an overhead kick from 5 yards, it rattles of the defenders chest and lands with a high bounce in front of Wright who raises another lob (2 in 2 matches) over the top of a scrambling defence. 1 - 1
Banny and Wrighty are struggling for supply not through lack of trying as the midfielders are pinging balls left right and centre but the understanding needs to be worked on yet before the two forward boys start to be found a little more often.
GOAL! Athletico Excelsior
As we approach half time Old England make an error on the left. They are in full counter attacking flow and their winger has played the ball straight to our midfield. It is played forward ruthlessly to Joe on the wing who whipped the ball into the box. It must have hit three players before falling to Bannys welcoming feet. He brings his foot back once, bang! Err saved, falls to Banny again from 10 yards bang! Err saved. Falls to Banny a third time and he crushes it into the back of the goal. Great keeping but it was either the ball or the goalkeepers face going in the back of the net. 1 - 2
Half Time
Second Half
Exceslsior are now much the stronger side now, although the one fault able to be spotted definatively from the sideline is a blantant lack of composure from everybody. Having the ability to get your head up and spot whats going on around you and who is moving into space is a value that separates the good from the great at any level.
Old England are slightly on th ascent after 15 mins of the second half coming close with a couple of freekicks which on another day could have easily been conceeded.
GOAL! Old England
Old Englands best amount of play led to this goal a well intercepted pass. Good funnel play through to the front two and a fantastic finish from the striker from one post to the other and in.
GOAL! Athletico Excelsior
No more than a few minutes later Excelsior take the lead again deservedly so. They have had a riotous amount of possession in this game and the goal is nothing less than deserved. Joe McMillan has given Carey a run for his money in the Man Of The Match stakes and he is involved again. A great ground through ball found Wrighty galloping into the opponents penalty box and a blatantly late and quite frankly clumsy challenge led to a penalty. Banny up to take and absolutely pummels it into the botoom corner smacking against the post on its way to the back of the net.
Sub: Ian Roxby on for Ricky Deighton
GOAL! Athletico Excelsior
Wrightys second goal has benn looking like coming for a while but it comes as a bit of a fluke. Will has managed to find space just outside the area and allows the ball out of his feet. He slightly rushes the shot and it is heading just wide, only for Wright to stick his head on it and redirect it into the corner.
Sub: Darren Worrall on for Will Moreau
Play has started to become a bit stagnant now as both sides are feeling the affect of a poor pitch and others a lack of fitness.
Sub: Joe Davies on for Joe McMillan
Nothing much else happened for the last five minutes. A couple of chances fell for various players and none were converted. Excelsior were much the better side and are rewarded at the final whistle with three hard earned points.
Truth is our football can be improved, our standard of play needs to progress, the statement CALM DOWN AND CARRY ON! can be taken literally. We are moving forward boys and I am sure these issues will be addressed. We are Athletico Excelsior and we will prevail! UTAE!!!!
