Gold shine against Reds…
Last week’s 6-3 victory against the Sparta Knights saw the Reds put in an excellent first-half performance followed by some sloppy play later in the game. The Green and Blacks were allowed back into the game and finished strongly with late goals. Could the Reds put that behind them and get back to their usual ways: quick to tackle, passing well to their team mates and never stopping running?
Pre-match warm-up saw the lads literally running circles around the coaches in an impressive game of tig. Next, it was the coaches turn to run the circle – the concerned look on John’s face could only have been because he was worried that Jimmy thought it was the catchy-kissy version. Needless to say, John ran round in record time. Usain Bolt couldn’t have been faster, only going to show the power of adrenaline-fuelled terror!
Back to the match, this week saw the Reds play Hebburn Town Gold and this high noon kick-off gave the lads, if not the coaches, the chance of a lie-in. Unfortunately the Reds were caught napping early on as they took their time to get going and, before long, found themselves going behind to a soft goal.
Starting the match the Reds had Alex between the sticks, Jordan and Lewis Ireland at the back, Adam, Rob and Jack in midfield with Lewis Keenan up front. Taylor, Harry and Nathan warmed the bench, resplendent in their latest bit of kit, the waterproof training top. In a week where we learned that the Prime and Deputy Prime Minister took time out to assemble some Ikea furniture, how long before we’ll need the official Monkton Vipers’ wardrobe to keep all this gear in?
Early play saw both sides struggling to establish themselves with end to end play and some eagerly taken long-range shots, especially from you know who. You know, the one with the dynamite in his left boot. But on this occasion the scores remained level.
Outstanding defensive play from Jordan kept the dangerous Golds at bay a number of times early on. When a shot looked like creeping inside the left-hand post, Alex did superbly to palm the ball away but unfortunately it was Hebburn who reacted first to put the ball in the net and take the lead, 0-1.
Good defensive work from tigerish Adam in midfield before a scare in the heart of the Reds’ area with the ball bobbling around with nobody on hand to clear the ball to safety. Adam was replaced by Harry and despite further attacks from the Reds, it was Hebburn who doubled their lead when a strong cross from wide on the left somehow managed to find its way into the goal. A bit of a fluke but still a goal, 0-2.
The Reds started to ask questions of the Golds’ defence as Harry’s shot was well saved and Jack, ever alert to a sniff of a goal, quickly latched onto the rebound but the well struck shot was inches past the post. Getting closer!
Taylor came on to replace Lewis in defence and there was more pressure from the Reds with a series of corners. When the ball came out to Harry, his strong right-footed shot was deflected to give the Reds a deserved goal, 1-2.
The second half kicked off with Adam back on for Rob. And a good run and clever pass from Adam played in Lewis Keenan whose shot was just saved by the Hebburn keeper. Next, a surging run from Harry down the right before unleashing a powerful shot that was well met by the excellently positioned Lewis Keenan to make sure the ball ended up nestling in the back of the goal. Nice one Reds!, 2-2.
The excellent Nathan then came on for Lewis Keenan up front and quickly made an impression with some darting runs. But it was at the other end where Hebburn looked certain to score until Alex made a great diving stop to turn the ball away from the goal. But the Reds’ keeper was powerless to prevent the ball being tucked away shortly after, when Hebburn Gold took the lead, 2-3.
And shortly after, in the final minute, an in-swing corner found its way directly into the goal to give the Golds a 2-4 victory.
So, despite the late start, the Reds were left napping as they took too long to get their usual passing game together. A couple of late late goals slightly flattered the opposition but the Reds couldn’t really argue with the final result. Only one thing to do, clean the mud of yer boots, work hard in training, listen to the coaches and get back to doing the tackling, passing and shooting thing.
