I can hardly type this report quick enough !
Starlands were playingour local rivals Four Oaks Tigers.
We have played them twice already , once in the League and once in the Shield. Both times we were on the end of a hammering! and have conceded 17 goals !
Today the wind was blowing a gale and the signs looked ominous for a repeat performance. Especially when before kick off we were missing Kieran in the USA and Ellis and Zack both ill. However, Lewis mother drove him the 10,000miles to get to the game just as we started the match. Well done!
So, Starlands had the minimum 7 players - no subs against a Premier team who were highly drilled, skillful,motivated and looking to punish our lads.
Fortunately, we kicked off down the hill and with the wind behind us!..something that probably turned the game.
We started lively and the boys were in the faces of the FOur Oaks Tigers.
Marcus and Oscar were intercepting everything - and those usual bits of luck were going our way for a change !
Jed was marshalling the midfield and looked like Messi ! he was everywhere ! even when knocked to the ground he still managed to get a toe poke in to clear the ball!
Lewis and Josh were up front and were playing nice little passes to each other - but also closing down the opposition, not allowing them to settle on the ball.
Every time Four Oaks tried to clear the ball, the wind or Starlands played it straight back. They did not knwo what had hit them - and knew that the firsat half at least STarlands were going to throw the kitchen sink at them ! and they did !
Oscar was playing great - both he and Marcus were covering the back and returning the ball back towards to Four Oaks goal. In truth Ben had very little to do in the goal.
He made a couple of saves from corners and kicked out of his hands well - unlucky not to have a shot on target himself!
Josh got the break through Starlands fans could never have dreamed of !....he turned and scored bottom corner following up a great save from their goalkeeper. The initial shot was on the edge of the box from the litle Messi himself Jed!...it was turned away and Josh picked up the rebound. 1-0 the crowd went wild !!!!
1-0 soon became 2 ! when MArcus picked up a bouncing ball well in his own half, he let fly with his boot and connected perfectly. The ball went miles in the air and aided by the wind flew closer to the Four Oaks goal....it went...further and closer...beginning to drop....it was over the goalkeepers head and in the back of the net ! .....our own David Beckham had scored from miles out ! 2-0 the crowd were going wild !....whilst Marcus mum looked frantically in her purse to check she had enough money to pay him!!!
Starlands held on for most of the half - and only a quick break allowed the Four Oaks striker to tuck away a superb individual goal. Ben cam off his line, and almost clipped the on rushing striker but to his credit he kept his feet and went around the goalkeeper and slotted home. 2-1.
There was a fear from fans that the boys might give up....but they held out to end the first half 2-1 up ! It may have been like the Alamo at times, but we defended superbly.
The second half, it was fair to expect Four Oaks Tigers to dominate. However, to our surprise this was a different 7 Starlands Boys from recent weeks ! They never stopped running. Josh looked like he was going to throw up a few times - but to his credit gave 100%
Lewis and Luke were still holding up the ball nicely for the other boys to gather their breath.
Jed must be short for JEDI ! because he was using the force alright ! he knocked one of their players onto their bottom - and was really putting himself about.
It was fantastic to watch - and every parent was desperate for us to get something from the game for lots of different reasons.
It was obviously the same for some of the boys too - who like King Canut - sat there whilst the tide kept coming in - but refused to move !
Wave after wave of Four Oaks attacks were thwarted ! and corners were headed away by defenders or blocked by Bens legs !
Someone should have told Rob not to collect the ball from the ditch so quickly! The inevitable happened and another great strike put Four Oaks back on level terms.
Surely that was it...Starlands would fold? heads would drop? Tigers would eat us alive !.............No!
Starlands held on for a fantastic 2-2 draw. a miracle? ......no....just a great team effort ! All 7 boys playing at a 100%
Now, WE KNOW and THEY KNOW - they can compete with the best maybe things might start to happen for us.
MAN OF THE MATCH - Went to OBI WAN KENOBI, LUKE SKYWALKER.........AKA Our own little JEDI ! Well Done JED. ( Bet Four Oaks wish they'd never let you go !)
Their loss our gain ! Well done everyone. ...and well done to Rick & Rob for sticking with it.,,,,infact WELL DONE EVERYONE....Can you tell how happy I am???!!! :)
