Robin Hood 1 Staveley 3
After a fantastic cup tie the previous week where we showed great fight and desire to win could we show the same in a game against arguably one of the best teams in the Mansfield Youth League. Without 3 of our most influential players out, in Kieran, Tom and James H it was going to be a difficult ask. How would we do?
Starting with our usual 442 formation we pushed Tommo up front to partner Conner and Maddo got his first start on the right wing. Oliver B was the lad to step up and put himself in the firing line between the posts.
The game started and we showed great composure and out passed and played Staveley without really creating any chances. But we looked good and comfortable. Staveley were well organised and gradually started to show their quality again without really causing us any problems. We looked solid at the back and battled hard in midfield. After 25 mins we made a couple of changes to see if we could create a bit more but it had the opposite effect and Staveley got their noses in front with the only strike on goal from both sides. With our heads a little down Staveley continued to press but we held out strong until half time. A good half when you consider the quality of our opposition and we matched them in most parts.
Trying to lift the lads at half time to show a bit more of the spirit of last week as we were a little quiet we sent the lads out.
The start of the second half was Staveley’s but again without really taking control of the game. We were battling well and showing good composure on the ball. We were threatening but still not really producing and real threat on goal. Staveley were the ones who got the break after a few close calls and were soon 2-0 up. We carried on and soon got our rewards from a corner. Ronnie whipped in the ball and after a scramble Conner managed to prod the ball home from close range. The game seemed to open up a little and a thunder bolts shot again from Conner cannoned off the up right. An inch to the right and we would have been level. Which even though Staveley had created a few more chances than us it would have been just rewards for the battling performance we had put in. In the last 5 minutes the game was put out of our reach though after a mistake where their manager requested to make a substitution and we stopped playing and they didn’t.
So 3-1 it ended but we should take a lot from the game. Staveley are a team that have players that are Academy level, and I feel are going to challenge for the 1st Division league title so for us to take them so close I was impressed and shows we are not far off where we need to be. Also along with it at times we looked very comfortable on the ball and are starting to play really well as a team even when up against strong teams.
