Mowbray School pitch again beat the weather as we entertained our friends from Tynemouth Yellows.
The Yellows were certainly one of the strongest sides we have faced in the first half of the season, a very good footballing side who liked to play out from the back and use the width of the large Mowbray pitch. They also worked really hard in the middle of the pitch to close us down when we were in possession. Some times you just have to congratulate the opposition and realise that they are slightly better.
Our cause was not helped with Skipper Olly unable to make it due to sickness, while Ryan and James also have been suffering illness in the week leading up to the game. So a large heavy pitch was always going to be a struggle, but despite the scoreline I actually thought our team performed quite well! Heads did not go down at any point and we worked hard to match the good yellow side. Especially in the second half we got our passing going, and if we could just have stayed onside, may have got back into the game.
First half and the Yellows were much the stronger team, they deserved to be more than the two goals ahead, only the ball flashing wide and some excellent goalkeeping by Cam kept the score down. First goal was unfortunately a common problem for us in the first half of the season, unable to clear from the corner then the ball rifled in from the edge of the area! We give far too many goals away in this manner, need to get the ball cleared further or we need to push out quicker to block that second ball! Second goal was a well worked goal for the Yellows, but again our defending could have been better, keeping in positions rather tracking free men in the middle. We did though have our moments going forward with Ryan impressing on the left, and James making the Yellows defenders wprl hard.
Second Half - Joe B who was not getting much ball on the right wing was movd into the centre, and this really helped our play. Joe B's pace and agression meant we were winning more of the challenges, which helped Luke get much more into the game. Some lovely passing, but with Ryan playing in unfamiliar striker position, and against disciplined defenders just kept being caught offside. Just need to time your runs Ryan and look accross the line. Ryan did have a number of half chances but either good defending or keeping kept us out. Yellows continued to attack well, but Kieran was in great form at the back, helped by Cam pulling off many good saves. The third goal which killed the game was caused by a lovely bit of skill by their impressive left winger, great turn to beat our player and then excellent cross to be finished smartly. Nothing we could have done about that one! Last goal of the game was in the last couple of minutes, again our inability to clear far enough and block quicker cost us, good finish again by Yellows.
Well played to the boys though, certainly could not question the boys efforts, and that as coaches is always the first thing we want to see. Some of our passing was also excellent so credit to the team. For man of the match awards, the Yellows players gave it to Cam, and can certainly see why, great saves, top handling, and kicking from the ground was to me the best of the season! So well done Cam keep up the good work. For the home decision, Ryan had an excellent game just to need to keep onside!, Joe B after a quiet first half just because the ball didn't come accross to him, was superb in second half working so hard to get us on a more level footing. Luke strong as ever, some excellent through balls to striker and to the wings. For me though just pipping them to award was Kieran, who made vital tackle after vital tackle, great strength in the tackle.
After this game we have reached the half way point of the league campaign, and currently sit in 5th place, it is very close in mid table with teams just behind with games in hand, but we look forward to working hard in the second half of the season to try and finish as high as possible. For a new team made up of Hurricanes & Jets from U10's plus quite a number of new to the club players, the team have done well to be competitive in what is a tough league, the top four sides would certainly be up there in some of higher sunday league divisions.
Training Wednesday 7-8 Ashington High, no league game next saturday.
