Final game of the season! and a blustery but sunny warm day to finish our last league game of the season, against the league champions, Goostrey.
With 2 players being away (Lol and Arron) and Max feeling unwell, but great to see him turn up to support the lads, we had a squad of eight fit players. A daunting task ahead, but with the break we were hoping they were fresh!
A suprise from the management! we instructed the players to go out, express themselves in anyway they saw fit, i.e. 'do your own thing' and we wanted them to enjoy this last game. We even swapped players into different positions, and i must say, it worked very well and im sure the guys really enjoyed it.
Kai stayed in goal, Ben at the back! Mark to begin, just in front (later to play out and out centre forward). In the middle was Bryan on the left! Ben Hin, and Matthew on the right. Up front was that prolific striker, Alex!
Unfortunately we lost the toss and therefore had to play 2 of the 3 periods into the wind, and up against a very strong team in goostrey.
A really good first period chances at both ends, Alex chasing every ball that when forward he could, Mark and Ben very strong at the back, Matthew and Bryan cutting in from the wings and Ben H hustling everything in the middle. Kai, doing his shot stopping excellently and his goal kicks against the wind were fantastic.
In the 8th minute though, a corner by Goostrey was hit hard and to the credit of their centre forward, he threw his head at the ball and it flew in! 0 - 1.
in the 10th minute we drew level, a wonderful team goal, Kai with a good kick to Bryan, Bryan sent Alex away through the middle, he pulled right and crossed a great low pass into the box for Bryan to hammer home 1 - 1. brilliant! The first period ended all level and a great game to watch.
2nd period, Sam came on the right wing, Alex stayed up front, and we started so brightly, Alex had a shot, Mark was storming forward, Ben was holding the line great, Sam was up and down. So much so that in the 18th minute, yet again a glorious team move! Alex robbed posession from their player, fed Sam, who crossed and Bryan on the run volleyed a great second goal! 2 - 1 tigers! the lads were having a great time.
Kai was till busy being good at his shot stopping but could do nothing about a screamer hit with force that flew into the net, a good goal but alas, end of second period at 2 - 2.
Third period, Mark up front! and he really did put himself about, so much so, that a nasty foul left him pole axed, but he got up and got stuck in, nearly scoring what would of been a winner when his shot was scrambled off the line. But with time running out, and a deserved draw in sight, a cruel blow when goostrey scored with a slick move and shot under Kai. No time to get it back, but the lads really played well and enjoyed it.
So the season ends, we have a tournment to play so who knows? we may suprise ourselves playing like this!
But as we move up a league next year, new pitch, new circumstances, i must say it has been an absolute pleasure to assist this season, the team has really put the effort and hard work in, we all have a little grumble from time to time, but these guys have really got on and played very well together and i hope we all continue to do so as we definately have grown as a team. An absolutely massive thank you, to you, the parents and supporters, as you always stick by us, never complain, in all weathers, always encouraging your sons and the team, it really does say a lot about our set up, if there was an award for supporters of the year, then the soccer centre should award it to Betley!
dont forget to ask your player to vote for players player of the year by text to me or Andrew and lets see you all hopefully for the tournement and at the Betley presentation and fun day
Many thanks for listening to me drone on all season
Lyndon
