Today, was the very first league game of the new 11s season for the JBM boys, a very big day for all of them. We were up against another unknown team from Larkhall, however as the leagues have been tailored to ensure that all teams were evenly matched then the boys knew that it could go either way. The team was a little light also with absences from David Wood, Logan Jarvie and Kenny Gemmell, however this is why we have a reasonable sized squad to cover players in times of injury and absence. The game kicked off late due to the referee being allocated to an alternative game, so it took some time to get a stand in official, luckily enough for us another game was called off so we managed to get someone in the centre.
Eventually the game started with both teams looking very nervous with the ball being cleared at every opportunity. It took a while for both teams to settle down and started to play a decent game of football. Due to the change in personnel and the squad rotation the boys took longer than expected to get into their stride, however when they did the boys started communicating and spreading the ball out wide to each of the channels. It was scrappy for the first 25 minutes until Larkhall managed to get the ball into the box and unfortunately Reuben Gray deflected the ball into our own net. Normally the boys always looked deflated when going one down, however as instructed the boys got the ball and encouraged each other to get back into the game and try and level the score. With a couple of errors at the back Larkhall scored again in the 29 minute, the boys tried their hardest to get back on level terms however it wasn’t meant to be.
HT 0-2
After a stern talk in the break, the boys were told to stop panicking on the ball and take control of the game as all they needed was a goal to lift them. We also changed the formation and made a couple of changes to the team. The boys know that if they score it will open the flood gates and we would get a result. Only 2 minutes after the restart Larkhall broke through our defence again and put the ball into the back of the net! To be perfectly honest the boys looked down and out of the game completely however the Captain of the day lifted his team and the boys started to play decent football. The passes were coming together, every one of the boys wanted the ball, good to see being three down. Not for the first time Andrew Duncan made an amazing run down the byline and crossed a ball into the oppositions box to see Ben Brown smash the ball into the back of the net, superb team move. Only 90 seconds later after yet another great move Andrew Duncan put Reece Lafferty Deans through to see the ball go flying into the net, the boys were on fire and as we stated at the half time talk all we needed was a goal! Two minutes after the restart Calum was brought down just outside the 18 yard box, Andrew Duncan put a bullet into the box and nobody could get onto the end of it, not even the keeper!!! 3-3, only 4 minutes previous they boys were 3 goals adrift, what a 4 minutes! The boys certainly deserved that comeback after all their efforts on and around the pitch. This is not the first time this season, but yet again the boys were making some basic errors, holding the ball too long when it should have been released earlier, two boys going for the same ball and we lost count to the amount of foul throws the boys made, however we can work on these and correct them in time. Due to some errors, Larkhall scored another goal in 53rd minute and the boys looked destroyed after all the effort in getting the game back! For the fourth time in the game, they picked the ball out of the net and fought back. On the 57th minute Ben Brown was brought down in the box….Penatly…..what a conversion, into the roof of the net! Phew!!!! 4-4 with only 13 minutes left, this game looked like it would be JBMs, however only 2 minutes after the restart, with some tired legs out there after the amazing comeback, Larkhall broke through and scored. The boys tried their very best to get back on level terms, but just couldn’t finish. The boys had a few opportunities to get back into the game, but just lacked in the final third. In the dying seconds, Larkhall but the ball over the top, Lee Kelly in goal, mistimed a tackle which resulted in a Penalty for Larkhall, he was very unlucky not to save the shot. As soon as the ball hit the net the referee blew for full time.
FT 4-6
Considering the amount of changes we made today and a change in formation the boys can hold their heads high. It took them time to settle which resulted in their opposition taking the advantage, however when the boys play as a team, they are unstoppable, which they displayed today. We need to rebuild and work very hard to get back to our winning ways and with every game we play the boys are getting stronger and stronger. This happened a few seasons ago, that they improved with every game they played, so with plenty of hard work in training, we will get the results we deserve.
There were a number of great performances today by the majority of the team, and the one that stood out was Andrew Duncan. One goal and two assists and working non stop up and down the left hand side of the pitch, both supporting and providing.
Well done all, even though we got beat, we learnt a lot today so in my mind every one of the boys were winners!!!!!
