Todays Away match v Holly Lane Celtic was played in pouring rain.
I am sure everyone looked out the window and wished Rick was going to text with the words MATCH CANCELLED.....The text never came, and everyone arrived in good time at Holly Lane. All,....except Rick ;) !!!!
The boys huddled round for a quick team talk and were into the action within 5 minutes.
This was the first time Starlands had played Holly Lane - since the pre season friendlies...where We competed quite well.
Starlands had most of the early possession but no luck! Oscar had a shot saved and Kieran narrowly slid his shot agonisingly wide! The boys could have been 2-0 up!
Holly lane, followed up the Starlands early pressure with a break and a shot that hit the post!
This was then followed up with a great piece of attacking play - which required Ben to pull off a fine double save at point blank range. However, the third shot was just too much from the edge of the obx it was rifled into the top corner with Ben still on the ground.
Starlands were struggling to compete for the ball - and needed every bit of encouragement from the travelling support to ensure they battled for every ball - and did not allow Holly Lane to get to the ball first. Too much ball watching!...
The boys listened to Rick - and continued to battle on.
Another free flowing Holly Lane attack - set up the striker for a one on one. Ben learnt his lessons from last week - and came off his line to clear the ball well.
A break by Lewis out wide almost led to an equaliser.
Marcus was tracking back , and Zak making some timely interventions.
Ben made a good save from close range - but injured his fingers and had to come off. Kieran as usual volunteered and got between the posts to try and see the game out.
The first half finished 1-0 to the Home side.
Early in the second half a lovely team move - saw the ball kicked from Kieran to Josh. Josh was battling hard today and putting in far more effort than usual. Well done! He managed to slip the ball through to Lewis who was in on goal!...the goalkeeper tried to stop the ball and for a moment it looked like he had pulled off a terrific save. However, the ball was too wet and slippy and hit with such power it ended up int he back of the net!...1-1 Starlands were back in the game. The boys confidence was growing - maybe a little luck would come their way?
Josh continued to battle in midfield with Jed and Luke,
At one point Holly Lane made a break from their own half...the long ball was played through midfield - and Lewis threw himself at the ball!??? a great save!...but hand ball!!!!..The referee played advantage and Holly Lane just shot wide. Phew!
Starlands then secured a corner from industrious work by Oscar down the flank. The corner was cleared to Zak on the half way line - who played it back to his defensive partner Marcus, who played it to Jed who unselfishly played in Oscar. Oscar was not going to miss from this range and tucked it into the corner 2-1 and Starlands were in the lead!
Lewis followed this up by hitting the cross bar!...so unlucky not to be 3-1 up.
There was some great effort by Starlands to keep Holly Lane out for the last 7 minutes. Kieran played well, taking a shot in his face and some luck with the post - he kept Starlands in front.
The boys managed to hold onto the lead...and everyone was pleased when the referee finally blew for full time.
Well done boys a real good team effort after last weeks display. Excellent - and well worth standing in the rain!! A nice way to sign off for Lewis's official last game for the team. We wish him well - and hope that he can make the odd appearance for us!...We need Your goals!!!!!
