Forget the television programme on ITV, this was pure poetry on what was a bit of an ice rink, even the judges would be hard pressed to not score a perfect 10!
on a cold, but sunny Sunday morning, with most players hoping the night before would mean the game was cancelled! ours seemed to be the only game on, dispaite a hard frosty early morning pitch.
Ben Haworth started in goal, Bryan going up front as we kicked up hill, Alex and Mark at the back, with Arron, <Max and Lol, who had also changed his role, in the middle.
Ruskin, who beat us 1 - 0 in a game dominated by the Tigers, were on a roll, coming into this game on the back of a 9-1 victory, but we are also undefeaten for 5 games, so a good game in prospect.
First half was all about keeping their feet, they couldn't do too much with the ball as once it bounced on the hard surface, it was going any where, unpredictably. Still we carved out one or two openings, with Bryan laying 2 passes through to Max and Arron, but keeper did well. At the back, it was a case of holding the line, which Alex did superbly, and Mark mopped up and 50 50 balls and cleared danger.
Ben had little to do in the way of saves, but in the 15th minute, a low cross into our box saw a tap in for an unmarked Ruskin player, 0 - 1.
There were no more scares after that, and we knew we had more to offer in the second half, as at half time we switched things around a little.
Bryan went in goal, Ben back in the middle, Ben H came on at the back for Mark, and Matthew on for Bryan on the wing.
Second half, and Betley were getting ontop, passing well in the conditions, so much so that a cross by Arron, saw confusion in the Rusking goalmouth and Max, via help from a defender, poked home! 1 - 1, game on!
Ruskin were still a threat, and a gap in our defence saw 2 Ruskin players bearing down on only Bryan in goal, Bryan saved the first shot, and as Tigers were rushing to try and help, Bryan dived bravely at the feet of the second Ruskin player and scopped the ball off the line, injuring himself in the process, on a rock hard jagged goalmouth.
Bryan continued for 5 minutes, as which he then had to come off as he was in pain, however, a more than able Mark replaced him, a lucky omen, as Mark has kept a clean sheet all season so far when hes been called upon to go in goal!
Arron, Ben and Max and Matthew were now causing all sorts of problems, and when Ben played a low cross into the box, a Ruskin player for some reason stuck out a hand, penalty! a chance to possibly win it!
Max took the kick, a good hard shot, but straight at the keeper! well saved! still 1 -1.
It looked all they way like an honourable draw, but as Arron was defending in the 28th minute, he brilliantly turned his marker, ran up the right and played a beautiful ball down for Matthew, who looked up, saw Max in the middle, crossed and Max shot in! great team and passing goal! 2 - 1
With a minute left, Ruskin threw everything they had forward, and Mark and Alex played no nonsense balls away.
Final whistle, and another win! another undefeated game! roll on!, even Philip Schofield would of been pleased on Sunday night!
thanks for all those who turned out in the artic today
Lyndon
