MPE SPORTS MPE Sports 7 - 1 Larkfield Youth FC
20 October 2013. Kicked off at 10:30 AM.

Home friendly match played on 20 October 2013.
Kicked off at 10:30 AM

Last week’s four one win against Walderslade was a much needed confidence boost for the managers, player s and parents alike. It had been a tough start to the season and this week added extra pressure, with two players moving on to pastures new, which left gaps in the armour to be filled. In a way this may have been a blessing in disguise and forcing the management team to change player positioning. With no league fixtures again this week placed an opportunity for a friendly at home to Larkfield Youth FC.

The managers reshuffle placed Kian Murdin in goal for an unavailable Jacob Williams, with Harry Goodwright at left back, JJ sitting as a central defender, with Sam White on the right. A slight change to midfield placed Connor Simmonds and Billy Tidman in a more central midfield position, while the positions on the left and right remained unchanged for Jamie Pye and Josh Ashdown respectively and let’s not forget MPE’s very own assassin Jack Amos.

First Half:

The Mighty MPE Sport’s blasted out of the blocks at the start of the first half. A lightening run from Josh Ashdown, whose confidence seemed to be growing on a match per match basis, unleashed the ever pacing Jack Amos who was unlucky not to capitalise.

MPE continued the pile on the pressure forcing the play into the Larkfield half with beautifully controlled passing throughout midfield from Billy Tidman and Jamie Pye who was again unlucky not to find the right boot the Jack Amos. MPE were moving the ball around well…..

It was MPE Sport’s number 11 Josh Ashdown who was causing Larkfield no end of problems in midfield and at one point managed to skill four players before releasing the ball to Connor Simmonds. Great Play by MPE’s number 11……

It was Connor Simmonds who opened up the scoring for the Mighty MPE Sports ten minutes into the first half, with a cheeky little goal from a Jack Amos assist [1-0].

Larkfield were working the ball well, but were stopped by the MPE defensive wall of JJ, Sam White and Harry Goodwright, all of which were focusing on their positions. This game was all about MPE and to be honest apart from the odd break from the away side, MPE were always the controlling factor.

Another lightening run down the right from Josh Ashdown now named the ‘Wing Wizard’ whose rocket shot was denied by the plastic crossbar.

It was a Billy Tidman and Jack Amos combo that placed the home site two nil up some twenty minutes into the first half [2-0].

The new player formation was certainly paying off, with new positions for Conner Simmonds and Billy Tidman allowed a more attacking midfield, giving the wingers of Jamie Pye and Josh Ashdown more space and opportunity to get the ball back in.

Brilliant movement on and off the ball from the young Sam White who looked settled in a more defensive role, but it was the MPE’s number 11 who continued to dismantle the opposing midfielders.

Second Half:

The away side were straight out of the blocks at the start of the second half forcing the play into the MPE half, confident hands from MPE’s stand in keeper Kian.

The away side were feeling the pain of the continuous attacks from MPE, with the next goal of the game coming from an absolute rocket of a shot from the young Jamie Pye, this boy was on fire, placing the home side three nil up some five minutes into the second half [3-0]

It was that man Conner Simmonds that hit his second goal of the game from a Josh Ashdown assist, this new midfield was really paying off [4-0]

Yet another lightening run from Josh Ashdown, whose pace was difficult for the Larkfield Midfielders to contain.

A brief lapse in concentration allowed Larkfield’s number 12 room to move across goal, giving the away side a small glimmer of hope [4-1].

The MPE boys were on fire now, controlling the field of play throughout midfield and it was only a matter of time before the inevitable happened. A beautifully laid back pass from Connor Simmonds found the right foot of Billy Tidman who fired the ball top right of the keeper, placing the home side five one up. [5-1]

In my opinion this was the turning point of the game, either the Larkfield heads dropped or the MPE boys upped the gears, it may have been both. Shots on goal from Josh Ashdown, Jake Amos and Jamie Pye all tested the Larkfield Keeper. 

MPE were on the attack again, great combination play from the back, but it was Jamie Pye who sealed the deal with two thunderous shots giving him his hat trick [and a new pair of shin pads], with a final score of MPE Sports FC 7 – Larkfield FC 1

Match reporter’s final comment: Another impressive performance from the Mighty MPE Sport’s. The new positioning Connor Simmonds and Billy Tidman in midfield, backed up by Jamie Pye and Josh Ashdown on the wings really worked. This along with the back three of Harry Goodwright, Sam White and JJ, with the master assassin of Jack Amos up front makes for a good team. A great performance from MPE’s #2 goal keeper….. Well done the boys…….

Managers Man of the Match - Josh Ashdown

Parents Player - Connor Simmonds