Tornadoes character shines through! Despite having such a tough campaign, and being a goal down after three quarters, the boys desire to do well for the Guidepost club was there for all to see as they stunned the high flying blues with two late goals!
Another good close encounter against the Blues who sit in second place in the table, and who are a fine footballing side. So all credit to the Tornadoes boys who just sneaked it to do a league double over the Blues, finally the bit of luck went in our favour. That's three really close games against two evenly matched sides, credit to both teams who look to play the game in the right manner, and the spirit of the game was excellent today.
The blues generally had the better of the first quarter has the slight wind advantage seemed to make a big difference in each quarter. Aaron was called upon a number of times to deal with ling shots from the Blues players, but he did this comfortably without alarm. Sam again was on good form clearing the lines well, and putting in some fine tackles to thwart the tricky blues strikers. The only half chances for us, were when Dylan fed James with a great ball, and he was in on goal but a fine covering tackle blocked him for a corner. While Joseph on ten minutes in some space just put his long range shot wide.
Second quarter and the tables were turned with the Tornadoes being the stronger side, Dylan again the provider and Josh being well blocked by the keeper. A few minutes later and Elliotts long powerful shot was well saved by the keeper. Aaron was relatively untroubled in this quarter, as Sam, Joseph and Elliott were clearing the danger well. Towards the end of the quarter we had two excellent opportunities, Elliott from left wing back got forward well and was one on one with the keeper, but just put his shot wide, a few minutes later Dylan put in a lovely cross ball to Josh unmarked, but he just slightly rushed his shot and the keeper saved well. So despite the good chances it was 0-0 half time.
Third quarter and again the fortunes changed with the wind, with the blues dominating the quarter from start to finish, so much so I haven't got a record of any chances for the Tornadoes, we struggled to get out of our own half as the blues pressed and pressed with Sam & Aaron doing wonders at the back to keep us in the game. The blues pressure deservedly paid off, with a lovely goal, nice through ball down the middle and the striker expertly flicked it first time past Aaron for a really nice goal. End of third Blues lead 1-0.
Fourth quarter and we told the boys to believe in themselves and the game was far from over, and again fortunes favoured the team with the slight wind advantage. Switching to a 2-3-1 seemed to help the boys attacking game, with James showing some of his very best form of the season, clearing everything, tackling well and showing the passion and determination that earned him all the plaudits last season, Together with Sam, and backed up Aaron they proved an excellent back line well done boys! Josh in left midfield was causing them lots of problems and after a number of half chances we finally got the equaliser, good work again from Josh and a smart pass to Dylan in the centre, who took in quickly on his left foot placing it into the corner, super finish after good team work.
We were now pressing for the winner, with Elliott going close, and Josh's good shot being saved by the keeper, at the other end the one time Blues got behind James and Sam, Aaron pulled off a nice save. With three minutes to go a cleared ball fell nicely for Harry some way out, and he hit a lovely shot which just went a foot wide of the post, great strike Harry, and you showed much better form in your second spell on the field. With just a minute to go it looked like the game was going to be a deserved draw, but for once fortune smiled on us, a good through ball to Dylan from Josh, and the keeper was adjudged to have taken Dylan's legs away from him and the ref pointed to the spot.
A last minute penalty did not phase Dylan who took the pressure in his stride, and put away one of the best taken penalty kicks I've seen at this age group, smashing it low and into the keepers bottom left, nicely taken under pressure. The boys then saw out the last minute without any further alarm, and the boys were delighted to have claimed their second win. A smashing performance and reward for all the boys hard work over the last few weeks, when they have battled hard without getting the results. Everyone played their part in getting the win, well done all the boys!
For man of the match, again this was a close run thing with every player having a shout for their play at times, again Elliott took the eye of the opposing coach, and you can understand why, a superb all action display, while at the back once again Sam was fantastic, with Josh having a great last quarter, but just shading it to me, for the quality of his finishes was Dylan, but well played all the boys, as coaches we were delighted with the passion and desire. Much credit also to our hosts who are a fine footballing side and who have given us three tension packed hard fought encounters.
