GUIDE POST HELD FOR A DRAW DESPITE PLAYING EXCELLENT FLOWING FOOTBALL. The Guide Post side completely out played a determined Prudhoe Youth Club team in the first half with a demonstration of calm, intelligent, flowing football which had the 'Dutch' management team of Stefan Von Paterson and Jahn Bruin giving each other high fives with delight.
Throughout the game, but particularly in the first half, the whole side played some of the most effective and intelligent football ever played by this team. Movement on and off the ball was brilliant as was some of the calm and incisive passing as the ball was spread around the pitch with ease leaving Prudhoe chasing shadows for much of the half.
Despite the overwhelming superiority Guide Post lacked a cutting edge in front of goal as cross after cross, attack after attack ended up with frustration. Eventually the deadlock was broken after another flowing wing attack down the right saw the highly effective Reece Bosomworth knock in another quality cross which flew over the keeper towards the back post where the defender could do nothing other than put the ball into the back of the net. The goal was awarded to Reece as it seemed destined to go in regardless of the defenders touch.
Prudhoe had two or three dangerous players particularly the two up front, one of whom had speed to burn. Prudhoe's approach was completely different to their visitors as they were being outplayed on every area of the park. Long through balls chased onto by the No.8 speedster was their only outlet and it proved effective on a number of occassions. One effort hitting the post and a second produced a fine point blank save from Liam Halliday. Andrew and Reece Brown playing at centre half both coped well with these dangerous counter attacks and dominated the high balls being played forward.
Guide Post came unstuck soon after when the immaculate Reece Brown intercepted another long ball and played a back pass to Liam. Unfortunately the ball seemed to bobble in front of Liam and his clearance fell straight to the advancing no.8 who slotted calmly into the net to level the scores.
Guide Post responded well and with Ross and Callum linking well with both wingers (Aaron and Reece) and strikers (Brad and Ryan) they continued to dominate possession and play excellent football. They were rewarded just before half time when Ryan Young finished well with a half volley from a corner by Reece.
After such an excellent first half display by all eleven players no changes were made at half time. The second half continued in the same pattern with Prudhoe dangerous on the break and Guide Post playing the better constructed football.
Brad, Aaron and George were unlucky to be substituted during the second half as each had probably put in their best performance of the season so far.
Prudhoe got a second goal after a fantastic solo effort from the impressive no.8 who picked the ball up half way into the Guide Post half and slotted into the top corner from outside the box. Prudhoe were breaking more often and on two occassions were only stopped by further fantastic point blank reaction saves by Liam Halliday who was putting in a man of the match performance.
Again Guide Post took the lead with an excellent flowing passing move which started in their own half, spread down the right and ended with another cross from Reece which Callum coolly slotted in from an acute angle at the back post.
This sparked Prudhoe into life and they began to pour forward looking for the equaliser which they soon got with a fine move ended with a low hard drive by the big centre forward which beat Liam low at the near post.
Both sides went on to create further chances but the game ended 3 - 3.
The Guide Post players were all disapponted by the result given the quality of the football they had played. 'Stefan' and 'Jahn' the dutch management supremos were however more than delighted with the display of all of the players which showed real progress in terms of quality and passing. If the players continue to improve and play this well in future games the future looks bright !! (even Orange - another Dutch reference - Jahn Bruin aka John Brown has even promised to grow a Ruud Gullit 'Mullet' hair style if we continue to adopt the Ajax playing system !!!!!)
