Back on the grass in friendly action against our good friends from Ashington, we played our part in an entertaining match with some lovely passing football from both sides. The game was end to end throughout with chances galore, but in the end we managed just to sneak a win which will hopefully raise confidence in the squad.
Ashington started the game very strongly, and deservedly took the lead with a fine finish from inside the box leaving the goalkeeper no chance. They continued to dominate and we rode our luck a little at the start of the game. As the quarter ticked along, we finally started to come into the game, with some good link up play from Sam, Joseph and Josh. We got back level when Joseph put through a lovely ball for Sam to finish with confidence. End of first quarter 1-1.
Ashington again started very brightly, and quickly scored a couple of goals, through some superb team football, lovely cross balls and fine finishing. Aaron did well to keep us level with some excellent saves, great work keeper. Like in the previous quarter as it went on started to get more in to the game, and we pulled one back when, Sam put through Joseph through on goal, dribbled the ball on nicely and finished cooly in the bottom right corner. Harry was now causing them lots of problems, and went close a couple of times, before finding himself through hitting a shot which the keeper couldnt handle and like all good strikers he was there to tuck the loose ball away. Good comeback left the scores 3-3
Third quarter it was very even with again chances coming at both ends, Josh led the line excellently only the keeper kept him from getting a goal. While at the other end James made some fantastic tackles, clearances, backed up well by Taylor and Ben. Still 3-3 end of the third.
Some more slick football from Ashington led to the fourth goal, and they went close again on a few occasions, Aaron again doing well to keep us within touch of them. At the other end Harry's determination was causing them problems, and this hard work paid off when their keeper couldnt hold a shot, and Harry managed to squeeze the ball in from a tight angle to make it 4-4. With time running out Sam controlled it with the chest/arm, near the half way line then went on a long mazy run, beating a couple of players and finishing excellently for a stunning individual efforrt.
We managed then to see the game out to give us the victory in a entertaining game against a highly skilled Ashington outfit, but as I just discussed now with the Ashington coach football was the winner today, good to see players so young passing the ball around, the referee also was full of praise for both sides.
He was of similar mind to me when it cames to our man of the match, and he like me couldnt split Sam & James, so well done both, you are joint winners. Not far at all behind were Joseph for some superb passing, Aaron for great saves and Harry for working hard and getting a couple of goals through never giving up. Taylor was very good at the back and Josh played nicely and was unlucky not to get on the score sheet. Ben, Ethan and Liam all did well in defensive positions. Well done boys lets build on this on Sunday, keep up the passing and we will do just fine.
Missing today was our Captain Elliott who unfortunately suffered a painful thumb injury yesterday and will be out for a while, best wishes for a speedy recover, hopefully after similar breaks for Michael and Liam, we can keep it at three bad injuries for the season. Filling in today in the captain role was James, and he really did well leading by example, well done James.
Many thanks to John the Ashington Coach for orgainising the friendly. Training Saturday 10am, will now be playing all games in Yellow kit until the last game of season where there will be a colour clash and will play in blue. Now have the diificult decision of choosing the squad for sunday, but for the two who do miss out please don't be disheartened because after today it is a close decision. Will text the squad out Wednesday.
