Normal 0 false false false MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) } <! Style Definitions p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0cm; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} @page Section1 {size:595.3pt 841.9pt; margin:72.0pt 90.0pt 35.95pt 90.0pt; mso-header-margin:35.4pt; mso-footer-margin:35.4pt; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} > Style Definitions table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;}
Halloween Thriller for the Vipers and Viper Reds
Most of the best sporting moments usually involve great rivalry. Think boxing and Muhammad Ali versus George Foreman in the 1974 Rumble in the Jungle, think tennis and the ice cool Bjorn Borg against the genius of John McEnroe, think cricket and Freddy Flintoff against the Aussies or of football and of England (yes, England!) beating Germany to win the World Cup Final.
And then think of the two fantastic teams that played today, Monkton Vipers and Monkton Viper Reds. But today, of course, in the end the result was (almost) irrelevant because the Vipers and the Viper Reds aren’t really rivals, they are the same team: Monkton Vipers Football Club.
So, after much nervous anticipation (and that was just the mams) the first ever derby match between the Monkton Vipers and the Monkton Viper Reds took place on a gloriously sunny Saturday Halloween morning. While both teams played really well with some tremendous individual performances, it was the excellent sportsmanship that was a great credit to the players and the coaches of both sides.
The match was always going to be a close run game with the Reds wondering before kick-off just how they would do without the talents of Jack Taylor and Adam Wardle who were both unavailable. Luckily for the Reds, the squad is strong and has an excellent team spirit.
The Reds kicked off with goalkeeper Alex looking in fine form between the posts. The solid defensive partnership of Jordan and Lewis Ireland provided steel to the defence. In the middle, Adam Elstob on the left, Robert in the centre and Lewis Keenan on the right. Harry played up front with the super sub being the Reds’ third excellent defender, Taylor.
Early play saw the Vipers attack and Alex was forced to make an excellent save low down at the near post to prevent a goal. This followed some outstanding defensive play from both Jordan and Lewis who maintained the same level of commitment from start to finish. The Reds’ defence was simply outstanding.
A rasping shot from Kyle flew inches past the Reds’ post but when Kyle looked to be in a dangerous position moments later who was it that came up to put in a crunching tackle and snuff out the danger? Jordan, of course!
And on the rare occasion that Jordan couldn’t get a tackle in, across came the formidable Lewis Ireland, who was reading the game well from the back and putting in some awesome tackles.
The Reds were surviving some intense Vipers pressure but a great run in the centre of the field from Adam Elstob who carried the ball well and continues to impress with his hard work and no-nonsense tackling. A decent long-range effort from Robert was struck firmly enough but was saved well by Matty in goal.
A sharp run from Joe for the Vipers ended in a goal-kick when Lewis came across to shepherd the ball safely into touch. A good attack but great defence.
Despite the Vipers possession it was the Reds who nearly opened the scoring when some great work in midfield on the left saw a ball played into the penalty area. The ball fell to Adam Elstob at the far post who managed to swivel and hook a well stuck goal bound shot that was blocked by the Vipers. Unlucky Reds!
By this time nails were being bitten on the sidelines and further impressive play from the Vipers resulted in a series of corners. Fantastic defending ensured that there were no clear-cut chances with the ball being scrambled away time and again. When a good shot did come in then the Reds were getting some great blocks in. Half-time 0-0.
The second-half saw Taylor come on for Adam Elstob with the Reds now kicking into the sun. A great run from James Reed down the right wing looked dangerous but Lewis Ireland, showing excellent reading of the game again, was on hand to make sure the ball was put out safely for a corner.
Another Vipers attack ended when a very well struck shot from Kyle was blocked by Jordan throwing himself at the ball. Nails!
What looked like a certain goal to the Vipers was prevented by some smart work from Alex. With the ball bobbling around the six-yard area it looked very dangerous but Alex pounced on the ball before a Viper could get to it. Phew…
James Catley nearly got on the score sheet but it was the Reds who forced a great save from Matty and the follow-up shot from Robert was just wide of the goal. So close, and just as the game looked to be heading towards a draw, as time was running out, up popped James Reed who skilfully turned in the area before placing a well struck shot inside the left-hand post 0-1.
There was just about time to re-start the match but little else as the last-gasp goal proved decisive. In some ways, to loose right at the end is a very cruel way to loose, particularly after defending for so well throughout the match. But on the other hand, if it’s going to happen, at least it was to the Vipers.
Unlucky Reds, some excellent play today, particularly in defence. Everybody played really well.
Just one thing left to say: Well done Vipers!
Oh, and another thing: Well done Viper Reds!
Final Score: 0-1
Gary’s Man of the Match: Jordan Smith
Jimmy’s Man of the Match: Lewis Ireland
