Burton Joyce reserves were top of the table at the start of the day, having only conceded 18 goals in 11 games.
Controversially, I looked at their results, our squad and decided that on the narrow 3g pitch a formation of 3-4-1-2 could cause them problems.
we started ok, and the formation looked as though we would be able to get through their defence, however, they found them selves in our area after a little lapse in communication and concentration and scored after 3 or 4 minutes!
We went straight down the other end with Feeney running at them with purpose, was fouled on the edge of the area. Up steps Joe and he smashes it through the wall, a slight deflection and n the corner of the goal it sailed! 1-1 straight back in it!
4 minutes later, they were back behind our back 3 and slotted another easy goal in. 2-1 down after 10 minutes! it looked like being a high scoring game. But on paper we were capable of scoring more.
We settled down after this start and battled well all over the pitch. Danny had a magnificent game at the back sweeping up everthing that came his way, he would have been M.O.M but for Joe's 4 goals. Joe and Pietro were equally as solid, winning headers, making strong challenges and getting it away well.
Loz and Dave were in the middle, winning headers breaking up pay and trying to spread the play wide to Feeney who ran up and down all day helping out all over, and Ricky who stayed quite deep and defensive and played considered passes. Bjorn had freedom to move about between the lines and he did a good job of disrupting their ability to play from the back through the middle.
Joe did what he does best up front, using his strength to win flick on's and hold the ball up.
Danny fired a low ball which Joe deflected slightly. I was able to run on to it, spotted the keeper off his line and leaving his near post open, I curled a ball inside the near post. 2-2.
Bjorn picked the ball up in the middle unmarked and ran at the defence, I ran left Joe went right and Bjorn played Joe through, onside. Joe took a touch and slid it passed the keeper 3-2 up
half time!
We started slow AGAIN, and they got a goal back 3-3... a scramble and their man shot a rocket from 25 yards that moved wickedly in the air and wrong footed Russel. 3-3.
We had quite a few chances, I had a long shot, Joe had several headers but nothing clear cut. I took a corner, Bjorn headed it twards goal, it hit the back of Ricky's head a dropped apologetically into the net! they all count! ha ha 4-3
By now their heads were starting to drop and they were starting to get a bit aggressive.
Loz went off after 70 and spick came on, straight swap... however spick twisted an ankle after 5 minutes and had to go off, leaving us with 10 men for 25 mins.
We were starting to come out on top all over the pitch, however their man managed to shoulder Joe off the ball at the back and roll it passed Russel! 4-4
Russell then made two great saves close up. Pietro headed off the line and we all kept playing to the end..
I took another corner from the right, saw Joe at the back and fired it at him, he rose above the rest like a majestic Bear and headed into the far corner! 5-4 up 10 to play!
They were getting more of the ball and made several chances that were blocked, saved or repelled in some way. Feeney making a great sliding tackle/block and getting the ball away that was a sure goal.
Ricky received the ball wide right and rolled it down the right for Joe. We all shouted to hold it up and run out the clock. Joe had other ideas, Some how he volleyed it from the wide right 25-30 yards out and beat the keeper at his near post as it flew like a bullet high into the net! goal of the season!! 6-4
whooop! loved it
