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Viper Reds vs Ryhope CW
After last week’s terrific performance against Consett Fire, followed by a narrow victory over Whiteleas Tigers in midweek, today saw the Viper Reds against strong opponents, Ryhope CW. And the Reds found the going tough against the Red and Whites. Last week seemed to be a long time ago and now we know what Jimmy meant when he sang, “Life is a rollercoaster baby...” or was that Ronan Keating?
The match started with a full squad following the Easter holidays. Lewis Keenan up front with Robert in the midfield and Jack on the right and Harry on the left wing. Lewis Ireland and Jordan made up the defence with Alex in goal. Taylor and Adams Wardle and Elstob were waiting on the bench.
An early corner to Ryhope was half-cleared by the Vipers and the return shot flew narrowly over the bar. An escape this time but a warning that the Reds needed to get their passing, tackling and moving together.
A good break from the Vipers with Harry nearly getting to the ball in front of the Ryhope keeper whose good clearance set up a quick counter attack. The ball broke to the right edge of the penalty area and a well-struck shot broke the deadlock to give Ryhope an early lead, 0-1.
The Vipers were struggling to find their form of recent matches but good work from Robert and a dribble from Harry whose shot was deflected wide for a corner. When the corner came back to Jack, his decent effort was narrowly wide smacking into the side netting.
Ryhope nearly doubled their lead when a great run down the right wing and a dangerous cross looked to be falling to their striker, lurking dangerously in the box. Excellent keeping from Alex though who spotted the danger and dived to push the ball behind the attacker and save an almost certain work. Great stuff Alex!
And the Reds went further behind when again Ryhope broke with pace and launched a quick counter attack that left the Vipers unable to prevent a shot into the bottom left hand corner of the goal to make it 0-2.
Alex was called into action again when a good ball into the box needed the keeper to quickly come and snatch the ball away from a Ryhope boot. Well watched Alex!
A good run down the left wing was brought to a halt by a foul. Robert swung the ball into the box and it found Jack on the right hand edge of the area. Good control and a fierce shot from Jack who put his laces through the ball. But unfortunately the ball flew an inch too high as the ball rattled the cross-bar. So close, Jack! Half-time score 0-2.
Second half saw the introductions of both Adams and some good work from Adam Elstob across the Ryhope box before setting up Robert for a shot just wide of the goal.
And Adam Wardle made a good run to get to the ball just before the Ryhope keeper but again the shot was just wide.
Taylor came into defence and immediately made a good interception, alert to a dangerous ball into the box. Well watched Taylor!
Adam Elstob then made a good run down the right hand wing and managed to get a great cross in but the keeper managed to push the ball away just before any of the Vipers could get that killer touch.
And the Vipers nearly got back into the match when a burst through the middle from Adam Elstob saw the keeper dive at Adam’s feet and make a brave save just in the nick of time. Unlucky Adam!
Next it was the turn of Lewis Ireland playing now in midfield. A fantastic tackle robbed the Ryhope player and a great shot from the edge of the box from Lewis but once again the Ryhope keeper produced a good save.
Despite some Vipers’ pressure, and some good clearances from Jordon, Alex needed to keep watching as a good long-range shot was turned round the post. But there was nothing that the keeper could do as from the resulting corner the ball fell to a Ryhope player who was left unmarked and allowed to shoot the ball into the back of the net, with almost the last action of the match, 0-3.
Unlucky lads. This is what they call on Match of the Day, “a bad day at the office.” Best to put it down to experience, practise hard at training and give it your best next week.
Final Score: 0-3
Man of the Match: Alex (the Cat)
