Where to start ? What a game….and I’ll try not to be biased (much)
On a wet claggy pitch I thought it was one of our best performances of the Season - certainly from a Supporters point of view…exciting or what ???
A tight opening saw both teams fighting for the ball in midfield before another strong breakaway from Adam Wardle down the left saw Rob Thompson glance an angled shot off the post…very unlucky.
The game continued along the same lines with a few breakaways from Sparta bringing out some excellent tackling from James Catley and Thomas Gargett – really inspirational stuff guys. Ankle kicking, big clearance stuff from Thomas who really sets the standard for defending and tremendous, last gasp, interventions from James (Have you been watching your John Terry DVD ??? – JT will be watching YOURS if you keep this standard up James !)
A fantastic save by Matthew mid way through the 1st half brought the Supporters to their feet – excellent save in slippy & muddy conditions Matt – followed by some ever improving goal kicks.
At the other end Joe made some great runs and, but for a number of last ditch tackles from Spartas no.5, he would have been in on goal…great effort Joe and unlucky again…the number of times their defence made a last gasp challenge was outrageous ! If you keep working that hard you’re bound to get a lucky break Joe.
Mason worked hard down the right – not helped by 3 inches of mud on his boots – but some tough tackles, good supporting of team-mates & tireless tracking back helped nullify Spartas no.3 sam carson…for all I’d heard about him I thought the whole team did a great job of keeping him quiet….most of the time !
Rob – excellent game again, your fitness is improving all the time – I get tired just watching you ! Some GREAT challenges & blocks right across the pitch and your passing is getting better by the game…for our midfield General you really fit the bill ! (By the way your Dad said it’s OK to start scoring again…he’s been onto the Bank Manager and sorted some more goal money)
Just before the break, an incredible goal-line clearance from Jacks goalbound effort, by Spartas No.3, saw them break down the left…and the same player (Sam carson - Sparta 3 ?) hammered home an awesome shot from about 15 yards out – unstoppable is the word..and nothing our flying keeper could do about that one sadly.
Substitutions of Jack, Taylor and Adam Elstob brought fresh legs to the game and they wasted no time in making their mark – some GREAT tackles and clearances from Adam during the game in surely his best performance of the Season – well done Adam.
Jack and Taylor worked tirelessly, constantly hounding the opposition and creating the opportunities we needed – brilliant effort from both of you and, but for that little bit of luck you need, we could have scored and gone on to win easily. It’s that hard work you put in that gets the ball back and frustrates the opposition – well done guys.
The 2nd half performance level was great – non stop effort from Jack, Adam and Lewis, who was strong on the ball and full of running, creating opportunities galore but the ball just wouldn’t go in !
We had at least 4 goal efforts save by their last defender - I think if we’d still been playing now Spartas no.5 would still be deflecting shots, he was undoubtedly their match winner (or should I say match saver ?) which says it all.
2 other fantastic saves from Matthew Agar – one charging down the striker and saving with his chest, the other bravely diving at the feet of the striker as he set himself to hit the ball – Brilliant Matthew. I’m sure the defenders feel more confident knowing you are behind them !
Great tackling from our defence, working to a new untried system, kept Sparta at bay – some of your tackles were top class and show just how much your concentration and focus is improving.
After a few more changes the last 10 minutes was constant Monkton pressure, corner after corner, free kick after free kick, Jack, Lewis, Joe and Rob all going close but it sadly just wasn’t to be your day.
My Moments of the day for Monkton – James Catley’s & Adam Elstobs crunching challenges
Comic moment of the day (though we didn’t laugh at the time) – Mason and Rob both going for the same ball and ending up in a heap – One at a time guys !
Things to think about (from a Supporters view) – Pass where you can and also maybe try and take your throw ins & corners a little bit quicker – don’t give the opposition time to regroup.
Coaches/Supporters were great – cheering & encouraging until the end and right behind the team !
man of match james catley and sparta give matthew there vote
We can all see that the Wednesday night training sessions are really helping improve your skills and teamwork – personally I don’t think the wet ground suited our game today, a dry pitch means we can use our speed and improved passing to our advantage...sadly the pitch isn’t something we have control of !
Same again next week and we’ll be headed back up the league !
Big round of applause to you all – we couldn’t have asked for anything more ! (apart from maybe a goal …hehe)
todays results
monkton vipers 0 sparta fc 1
leam rangers greens 1 fatfield 5
primrose ravens 5 consett cubs 0
table
1 harraton plyd 4 pts 8
2 fc sparta plyd 5 pts 7
3 fatfield plyd 5 pts 6
4 monkton vipers plyd 5 pts 6
5 real athletic plyd 5 pts 6
