South Liverpool were todays opponents in the tough Belle Vale League. If there is any luck in the world our team don't seem to get any. Now this may sound cliched or bias but today they desreved more than a point.
Having watched South Liverpool over the last few weeks I knew that they were a tall strong team, but that their football was not so good. Goalkeeper has the ball in his hands=kicks long. Goal kick=another bigger player kicks long because the goalkeeper can't kick as far off the ground. Corners=thumped right in on top of the goal keeper and yes whilst dangerous and may result in the odd goal and even win matches, this will not help turn any of their players into quality footballers. We are talking about players being comfortable on the ball and being allowed to be creative. This cannot take place when the ball is flying through the air over their heads. I am seeing this too often still and with this type of Jack Charlton football being played in grassroots football means the England national team is doomed to mediocrity for the forseeable future. Although I would prefer leagues to be competative, I can understand the FA's stance because I believe this comes down to clubs and coaches just wanting to win at all costs and fear of kids in defensive positions making mistakes. When these kids get older they will find that these tactics don't work anymore, they will not be able to compete and will be condemned to the amatuer leagues or drift out of football altogether. Rant over.
Mags took the lead through Kaleb Sweeney early on in the game after some good build up play. It looked likely that we would get a second goal but as half time loomed South Liverpool got a free kick in a dangerous position which was struck well into the top corner. It was the first shot on target we had faced in the game and felt harsh on the lads.
HT1-1
Second half and we had a difficult spell early but our defending had been excellent with Callum Sandle, Charlie Hogan and Michael Parr not giving much away and passsing well out of defense. Just as we had started to control the game again South Liverpool won a corner and which was sent over and volleyed home superbly giving Jordan Holmes no chance. Things looked bleak and earlier in the season we may have lost this game, but that lads really stuck to their task and began to create good chances. A little bit better decision making in and around the box could have seen us score at will, but finally the ball fell to Joseph Cunningham on the edge of the box and his shifted the ball out of his feet before firing a great shot low into the bottom corner. Then a great team move and final square pass put Kaleb Sweeney in to slot home his second goal and a fine win looked on the cards. However, with the Mags trying to see out the game and just 1 or 2 minutes left South Liverpool fired in a cross which struck Michael Parr in the chest a yard from the line and bounced into the goal. Really unlucky for the team and for Michael as he had performed superbly and was Man of the Match.
FT Mags Atletico 3-3 South Liverpool
