Throckley Magpies were the visitors to the Welfare, and off the back of a 5-0 win over other pace setters Galaxy, must have been confident of a comfortable win, this was proven not to be the case though as Guide Post came within five minutes of getting a result.
The first half display I thought was our best half of football of in the season, faced with a powerful and skilful side we more than held our own, and some of the combination passing football was a joy to watch as a coach. High standards were set in this half, and these are the ones we have to strive now to keep up for the rest of the season. Magpies started strongly, and had a goal disallowed early on for offside, the forward had superb footwork and was causing our defence lots of problems. Guide Post though did hold to after the 10 minute mark when nice passing and a cool finish gave Magpies the lead. Rather than let our heads go down though, we started to get into the game with Joe I, Joe B and Luck especially linking up well, but the other players in the team were also looking to pass, including having to go back at times. Alex and Joseph both having long range shots, at the other end after a typical mazy run by their number 12, Kieran just accidentally clipped his heals and so a penalty was awarded. The Magpies striker hit it hard but straight and Cam made a good stop with his legs. This gave the boys more confidence and Joe I played it Luke who put in a lovely ball to Joe B who struck it well from just outside the box, and the keeper despite getting to shot could not keep it out. It was now pretty even stuff, Alex & Joe I again having long range efforts on goal, while at the back Mason and Kieran were having storming games, while skipper Olly as ever was doing all the gritty hard work just in front of the defence. While Cam's handling was excellent, and had to come out bravely a couple of times and spread himself to get the ball under big pressure from the Magpies. End of half 1-1
Second half and again we more than competed, Luke & Joe B were a constant threat to them and we created a number of corners which had to well defended by the Magpies, while at the back our defence were working well as a unit, with the Magpies players getting frustrated by just being caught offside on a number of occasions. As the half wore on and Guide Post started to tire a little the Magpies did become more dominant, and Cam was starting to become busy, one save with his knees was just simply stunning, certainly up there for Save of the season!! With only five minutes to go Guide Post's excellent reistance was broken from a Magpies goal kick the ball was flicked on and we couldn't clear and they combined nicely to score a well worked goal. Again though Guide Post did not give up and we created a couple of corners, Joe B was doing great work down the right, and his shot was deflected away for a corner, there was the thought that this could have been also a penalty to Guide Post as after shooting the Magpies player did catch Joe B from behind. Unfortunately we could not make the corner count, and on a lovely counter attacking move, the Magpies scored in the last seconds with the final whistle going soon after!
Despite the scoreline, this was a excellent display by the Guide Post boys, quite a number of the Throckley boys play in the premiership on a Sunday and if they were to go in Sunday leagues they would certainly be in one of the top 3 divisions. So to give them such a scare was a good effort and all the boys should be pleased with their efforts. The Throckley team and manager gave Luke the Man of the Match award, and you can understand why, Luke consistently leads the line ever so well combining well with his midfield players, and causing defence problems. There was probably another five or six candidates for the award:- Cam - Penalty Save, good handling, and stunning save second half. Joe B - Tough no nonsense display, great goal, constant threat down the right. Joe I - First half lovely passing, decent efforts on goal good corners. Olly - Does all the had work for the team really helps protecting his defence Kieran -Strong tackling from the back and good distribution Mason - Back to his best in sweeper role, cleared everything that went near, some vital tackles. Alex - Probably his best game of season especially first half, great run down the left, and confident enough to have a go with two well hit shots, KEEP IT UP ALEX - BELIEVE IN YOURSELF! In the end will go with our skippers decision to give the home man of the match to Cam. Well done to the whole team, next week we travel to Tynemouth once again to this time face the Blues side. After a disappointing display last time at Tynemouth v the Reds, want the side to show more of a Throckley type performance and if we do that we will not go far wrong.
Training Wednesday 7pm-8pm Ashington High - Match day squad will be announced as normal later on Wednesday evening.
