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Viper Reds at the Double…..
Saturday morning sunshine and blue skies once again at Monkton Stadium but the playing conditions were made difficult by strong blustery winds. Although the wind didn’t help the players, it did help blow away the cobwebs for those mams on the touchline who were feeling just a little bit jaded after a busy Friday night.
Consett Fire had already shown what a good team they are earlier in the week with a nail biting draw against the Vipers. This 9am kick-off saw another excellent performance from the Viper Reds who once again demonstrated how hard work and a team effort gets results even against tough opponents.
The starting line-up had the brave shot-stopper Alex in goal behind the rock-solid defensive duo of tough tackling Jordan on the right and the ever impressive Lewis Ireland at left-back. The midfield saw Adam Wardle on the left, Harry through the centre and Jack on the right with Robert leading the attack.
Consett Fire kicked-off and immediately launched an attack through the middle but the Reds’ defence was alert to the danger and a good clearance from Jordan eased the pressure. Consett were good going forward in the first couple of minutes but the Reds midfield and defence worked together to prevent any serious threat on goal.
It was the Reds who had the first clear effort with a good tackle from Harry and a run down the right leading to a shot towards goal that the Consett keeper saved. Adam Wardle then made an excellent run down the left of midfield to maintain the Reds attacking momentum.
A Consett Fire attack down the left saw Alex take the ball well and set up another move for the Reds. A good kick out led to the Consett keeper having to make a good clearance and rush out of the penalty area in a desperate bid to kick the ball out for a throw-in.
The deadlock was broken in the eighth minute when the ball broke to Harry in midfield. With a Consett defender rapidly closing in, Harry dragged the ball to the right to give himself room for a good long range effort. The goalkeeper did well to block the shot but was unable to prevent a goal when Jack seized on the rebound and, as quick as a flash, tucked the ball away for a well deserved goal to the Reds. 1-0
The ball then spent some time in the midfield area as Consett looked to get back on equal terms. Tremendous work from first the magnificent Lewis Ireland and then the formidable Robert saw two perfectly timed sliding tackles in quick succession showing just how determined the Reds were to maintain their good form.
Consett played a long ball through midfield that left the forward one on one with onlt the keeper to beat. The fearless Alex dived bravely at the forward’s feet and snatched the ball to snuff out the attack. Good work Alex!
More end to end play saw the Reds playing well but just unable to find the killer touch to extend their lead. When Consett attacked the Reds great defensive work continued.
A good long range effort from Robert saw the ball well saved by the Consett keeper. A clever turn by Jack in midfield then set play up for another attack but the ball was cleared well by Consett. Then good work as time ran out at the end of the first half. A reds’ cross into the box eventually fell to Jack who converted the chance with his second goal of the game. Half-time score 2-0.
After the break, combative midfield terrier Adam Elstob replaced the excellent Adam Wardle who had once again put in a terrific display with great wing play down the left and crucial defensive work when tracking back to help keep Consett at bay.
Consett Fire launched an attack that the Reds were unable to close down and a shot on goal sneaked over the line to get Consett unexpectedly back into the match. 2-1.
The game was now much more open than in the first half with both teams looking likely to score again. Great defensive work from Lewis and Jordan continued and some excellent running and tackling from the industrious Adam Elstob broke up a number of attacks by Consett.
Lewis Ireland was then replaced by the Reds other outstanding defender, Taylor who slotted into the back two. A long ball through the middle managed to evade the Reds mean defence and leave Consett one on one with a golden chance to score. Excellent anticipation from Lewis who once again rushed out to steal the ball from the feet of the advancing attacker denied what had looked like a certain goal.
A corner to the Reds was taken well by Robert but a good clearance looked to have set Consett on their way until a lightening dash across the field from Adam Elstob forced the player towards the touchline and allowed Taylor who had spotted the danger to come across and put in a good tackle.
Lewis Keenan then came on to replace Jack at a time when the Consett team were starting to worry about the score. Some unsavoury tackles were made by Consett including a hack on Harry when he had beaten his man and looked to race into the final third. The resultant free-kick was well struck by Robert but equally well saved by the Consett keeper with the rebound falling to Harry who placed his shot just wide of the post.
Consett nearly scored in another dangerous attack down the right and their shot looked like it was creeping inside the near post until Alex got down well and somehow managed to push the ball around the post for a corner.
With time running out Consett got lucky and managed to pounce on a ball that was bobbling around the Reds penalty area. Unable to clear the ball, the Reds paid a heavy price when a Consett shot sailed through a sea of players to bring the scores level. 2-2.
Robert then became the latest victim of some overly competitive Consett tackling and the Adam Wardle was re-introduced to the midfield. A huge injustice was only narrowly averted when a late late shot by Consett was smothered by the Reds with the ref ready to blow his whistle for full-time.
In the end, the Reds players might have felt slightly hard done by after conceding such a late equaliser. However as the coaches said, this was another fantastic team performance. Alex made loads of great saves, the defence just keeps getting better and better and the passing and running in midfield and attack was outstanding. Well done to Jack for his brace of goals but just one vital question remains: can Gary’s nerves hold out until the end of the season?
Final Score: 2-2
Gary’s Man of the Match: Jordan Smith
John’s Man of the Match: Lewis Ireland
