WONDERSTRIKE (TAP IN) BY BOYD RESCUES POINT FOR GUIDEPOST !! A devastating last minute strike by full-back come centre forward Adam Boyd ended a six year wait for his opening goal for a GuidePost team he has represented since the Under 8's. High winds made playing conditions difficult in this hard fought encounter with a Northburn side playing good football.
Guidepost started strongly dominating early exchanges and carving out some good attacking opportunities without really testing the Northburn keeper. This was shortlived with Northburn soon getting into their stride and playing some good flowing football.
GuidePost were having plenty of possession but were guilty of giving the ball away easily with sloppy and mistimed passes far too often. Despite this the game was evenly balanced and entertaining for the gathered masses of approximately 33 spectators huddling for warmth on the windswept sidelines - Steve's knees were turning blue before halftime as he bitterly regretted not wearing his tracksuit bottoms and John could be seen weeping on the sideline - as his new nike boots(£7.50 in the sales) were nipping his toes (no wonder Reece didn't want a pair !!)
Northburn took a lead with a ball over the top of the Guide Post defence chased onto by their excellent number 8. Luke closed on the striker and pulled off a great point blank save which unfortunately fell to the feet of another Northburn striker for a simple tap in.
GuidePost responded well with Ross Moore playing particularly well in centre midfield. With just minutes to go before half time GuidePost got the equaliser with a stunning strike by Aaron Dunning who for once unleashed the full power of his left boot from a wide angle just outside the box. The ball was over and past the keeper before he had time to react. The half ended 1- 1.
Changes were made at half time to try and take control off the game in midfield where Northburn had been strong. Starting with a 4 - 5 - 1 formation GuidePost hoped to control possession but Northburn had other ideas and the game continued on a very even keel with both sides creating chances and testing the keepers. Liam Halliday pulled off three superb saves in one on one situations to prevent Northburn regaining the lead. However Northburn did get the lead with a bit of a scruffy goal as GuidePost failed to clear their lines two or three times.
Desperate measures were needed to rescue a point and Adam Boyd who'd been having a great game at full back moved forward to play the last ten minutes as a striker. Within a minute a chance fell to Adam which he wasn't able to take. The team pressed on for the equaliser and Ross Moore was denied what looked like a perfectly good goal by a very late off-side decision.
In the dying minutes GuidePost won a corner on the left. George fought to keep the corner in at the front post and Ryan Young spun on the proverbial sixpence to loop the ball over the keeper to the back post where a goal hungry Adam Boyd was waiting to smash/force the ball home through two defenders. A very well deserved equaliser scored by a very impressive long term stalwart of the team.
The final whistle blew shortly afterwards with a draw a fair result. The teams are due to meet again in two weeks for what will be another hard fought encounter.
Man of the match was awarded to Adam Boyd not only for his goal but for his all round contribution to the game. Well done!!
All the players deserve praise putting in a battling display after a long xmas break where the chocolate and late nights on the Playstation or watching TV have obviously taken a toll !!
