Right! here we go again! a refreshing (very cold) break from the winter blues, a happy christmas by all i trust, and the fat bloke in the red suit hopefully having brought all our players new boots! new drinking bottles and hopefully, new lungs!
We ended the last game with a resolution for the new year to forget all about it, and having watched todays game, i think we have.
It was Tigers versus Sharks, lets see who had the biggest bite radius!
A full squad began today with Kai in goal, Alex and Mark, in the middle Matt, Ben, and Bryan with Max up front. In the first minute Betley made their intentions clear with Bryan having a good shot from the right well saved, good pressure after that resulted in Max forcing a corner which Matthew shot wide from. After 4 minutes tigers forced 2 more corners and were begining to control this game to how we wanted, Bryan had another shot well saved, Max and Matt again were on target, the back line of the sharks were very busy. But as we know in this game, take nothing for granted and in the seventh minute, Kai was called on to make an outstanding double save, first to block a hard shot then to scramble back to his line as a Sharks player was about to tap in, and dive on the ball on the line, great save Kai. No more scares as Betley went close again with shots from Bryan , Max and Matt, all playing well up front.
Second period, and Alex had to leave, so Mr consistent Lol came on, Sam came on for Max and Arron came on for Matt.
It took us two or three minutes to re settle as Goostrey forced a couple of corners but very quickly the boys found their rhythm with a Ben corner to Bryan seeing his header blocked near the line. Then a great run by Arron, pass to Sam, back to Arron whose low cross caused confusion with the resulting ball played out to Ben who hit a great low shot into the net, 1 - 0 tigers!
tails up, and Bryan had a superb run, beating 3 players then hitting the post!, Arron flashed a shot wide, then Sam did the same, Betley ended the half in control.
3rd period, Bryan in goal for Kai, Max in the middle for Ben and Ben H in front of Lol for Mark. Mark and Lol having great games playing very confidently in those positions and very well together.
Matthew had a good shot saved then Arron shot wide, Betley were looking for the all elusive second goal to make life comfortable but as in the first period, take nothing for granted as a three man break by Goostrey left another one on one on our goalkeeper! this time it was Bryan who bravely dived at the feet of their striker and gathered the ball just as a goal looked likely.
Ben H got into the game and had a good match in an unusual position, playing the ball out well from the back, with Lol supporting, the game carried no more scares but Max, back up front hit a delightful free kick just wide.
Final score 1 - 0, a good start to this second part of the season, Bryan shaded man of match but everyone really did play their part, new boots must of worked! and the fitness levels were good, no one seemed to be carrying excess puddings!
Training is now underway, so lets continue all this good work, well played everyone and much appreciated to the loyal support
Lyndon
