Alder Warriors vs Bridge Target
After beating Focus league favourites. Alder Warriors were filled with confidence in that they felt they could beat anyone put in front of them. Tony Alder’s coach having signed a few players since Saudi Arabian Family invested their oil money in Alder, felt he would go on to be in the top two of the league.
Hence, their early start in Saturday’s game against Bridge Target they completely outplayed Bridge Target in the first half pressing them and not allowing them to play football. Bridge Target players argued that a couple of players were missing. Yeah yeah you did have a couple missing but let us forget excuses and give honour when it is due. Alder Warriors were the better side in the first half and went 4 nil up. They played well and luck was on their side as well, they were winning everything.
Thomas Pye and Ryan Mason back in starting line up
After the two players’ first start in the season one cannot be surprised that they struggled to get in the game. Thomas struggled with the pacey winger he was tasked to mark, he kept flying into the number 11 and he kept going past him like a merry go round. However, the new starters were not the only ones that struggled. Every single player struggled on that pitch. The goal keeper made a couple of mistakes that led to some goals but one must commend Target’s solidarity in that they did not moan at Ste nor did they discourage him rather they kept encouraging each other which in turn paid off as Ste made a couple of saves even De Gea would struggle with.
Dismal First Half ended 4-1
Having been outplayed in the first half, Bridge Target came back stronger in the second half. Thomas revealed that the manager said a couple of things in the dressing room that inspired them. However, he would not share the secret recipe. What about Aaron who scored for Target in the first half it must be noted that he is our man of the match he played brilliantly and kept working hard. Well done to the young man and he looked comfortable on the left wing after having not played there in a while. Credit must also be given to the manager as they took the game to Alder after he changed the formation to 4-4-2.
They attacked and attacked which made it 4-2 and before Bridge conceded from a set piece after a lack of concentration. However, Target did not give up. Gerald who we have not heard or seen all day in the game woke up from his slumber did a couple of one twos with Craig Lloyd a.k.a Lee Cattermole. After which Gerald ran with the ball dancing past the Alder’s defence to put a decent cross into the box headed towards Christian (whom by the played very well) which was defended properly. However, the young Nigerian ran past the defenders and won the ball back before unselfishly passing the ball to Christian who made it 5-3. That was when the real belief came. They kept launching attacks which led to a corner kick taken beautifully by Aaron to Johno’s old head who headed in to make it 5-4. What comes to mind Istanbul 2005 eh?
Bridge Target caught Alder on the counter-attack three against one. Christian with the ball and Gerald on the left all Christian needed to do, all he needed to do was square it. Johno was screaming from the right square it to Gerald, square it. But the young man felt I have scored 2 so I might as well take my chance before directing the ball to the goal keeper who makes a save. Yes we all thought the equaliser was going to happen then but no Target had to wait a little longer.
Unselfish Gerald shows exactly why he holds the Usain Bolt Award
What happened next in this thrilling football match? Gerald ran again dancing through defenders before again unselfishly passing the ball to Johno in the back post. Who taps in to make it 5-5. Oh Gerald celebrated like he scored when he was interviewed he said “the assist felt better than scoring”. He provided yet another one in which Johno scored from but the referee blew the whistle for an offside why he did I do not know. Video footages have shown everyone was onside.
After Bridge Target equalised in what seemed like it took everything from them. Alder pressed again and scored from yet another set piece although this time Gerald was fouled in the 18 yard box, they appealed but words fell on deaf ears.
6-5 2 mins left the clock is ticking. Thomas Pye started crying. It’s over; it’s over lamented the young man. Who wouldn’t after all that hard work? Miraculously Target got a free kick in the centre half. Aaron about to take it told everyone to get in there put a cross inside the box which Alder’s player headed into his own net. There it was yet another equaliser he ran and jumped on his manager- it is up there for the Champagne moment, the miracle of Istanbul.
Match ended 6-6, Great game of football. Thank you for joining us. See you next week.
