First time at Astley Sports Centre for the lads today and at least next week we all know how to get there.
A quick change of team selection and tactics due to players stuck in traffic didn't dampen the spirits and straight away we were on the attack and could have been a couple of goals up in the first minute. A goal soon came with Alex pouncing on a rebound to smash the ball home, Whitworth JFC however wern't going to lie down without a fight and used their attackers to good effect forcing Kingy into making a stunning point blank save. That woke the lads up a bit and that was Whitworths only real chance of the half as Josh Luke and Jack seemed to get the measure of them. Josh in particular was as commanding as ever and his tackling today was immpecable.
We were still carving out chances with their goal being peppered but still only one goal separated the teams. The midfield trio of Hayden Adam and Connel were working extremely hard to support Connor and Alex at every chance but we needed a bit more composure in front of goal.
On came Billy and Liam to put a bit of bite into the game and with immediate effect Liam powered an unstoppable header into the top corner from a well flighted corner. Billy was getting heavily involved and a few good spurts down the right gave Whitworths full back lots of problems. Luke was also proving a handful down the left and was linking up well with the team. A third goal came with Alex getting a shot off and again with great reaction Connel was on hand to scrape the ball home.
Half Time - Whitworth Park JFC 0 Heyside Juniors Reds 3.
Another one sided half with Heyside doing all the pressing and some of the passing and movement was brilliant to watch, there was so many chances created it was amazing that we wern't in double figures. Each and everyone must have had at least a shot on goal but it got to the point that i think the lads were playing crossbar challenge as they hit it so many times. Connor came back on and thought he had scored the fourth with a well timed left foot shot but the keeper just got down quick enough to prevent him from getting his first goal of the season. Jayden slotted in at right back and played his best game so far which was great to see.
Adam eventually got a goal picking up the ball from a defensive mistake taking a one on one with the keeper and calmly ghosting past him to tap the ball home...it was no more than we deserved. Hayden made it five and it was fine reward for all his hard work thoughout the contest making a darting run at the back post to head a brilliant goal from a fantastic move started by Liam.
Luke and Hayden took knocks(Head Injury and Nose Bleed) but soon recovered which we were all happy about.
Whitworth finally got a goal from a drop ball in our area, Billy who had took the keeper role in the second half was very unlucky and couldn't be faulted. A second from Whitworth to make the scoreline look a bit better through a bit of sloppiness by our impressive back line who throughout the game had been immense. Never the less as stated above we should have been in double figures and out of sight so we know there is plenty of improvement to come from our team.
Final Score - Whitworth Park JFC 2 Heyside Juniors Reds 5.
Parents MOTM - liam Brown.
What pleased me the most today was each and everyone did their bit for the team,playing in different positions when asked and never complaining...that's a good sign of the fantastic team spirit we have at Heyside. Thanks once again to Billy and Kingy who helped out in goal today and maybe they could carry this on until we can sign another keeper.
Well done and keep training hard as the matches will get tougher as we go on through the season - Next up is Oxford Park JFC so all that is asked is "SAME AGAIN PLEASE".
See you all at training.
Josh King - Keeper for first half and made a stunning save, some good work also when played at left back.
Josh O'Neil - Brave tackles once again and some great passing from the back today.
Jack Dowd - Took a while to settle but stuck to the task and didn't let anyone down
Hayden Smith - Sterling effort today,great goal,bloody nose..what more could you ask for ?
Luke Casey - His silky passing was great to watch and played numerous positions. Bang to the head late on but was fine at the end.
Connel Mallon - Really starting to put himself about and rewarded with a well taken goal..well done.
Adam Ford - Good effort and 3 more assists and a goal to cap a fine performance.
Alex Williams - Great reaction for his goal and held the ball up superbly..unlucky not to get a few more goals.
Connor Knowles - Nearly got on the scoresheet but thwarted by a good save,never let his head drop which was good to see.
Liam Brown - Bullet header to get on the scoresheet,fantastic effort on the right wing, deserved MOTM today, think his Dad was pleased.
Billy Joyce - Good first half playing at right back,unlucky not to score,brave display in net in the second half.
Jayden Elson - Didn't put a foot wrong and seemed to enjoy the game today more than normal...great effort.
