This Sundays game was against Darwin Park in Lichfield.
To be fair, it didn't really matter who we were playing it was just nice to be out on a bright fresh Sunday morning with no rain !....I lie....it was freezing, I missed my bed ,sleep in and fry up!.....
The pitches at Beacon Park were fine, the only problem being it had been so long since their last game, they'd forgotten how to assemble the posts!
The game got underway , and we had a full team plus 2 subs! A good start to the new year !
Darwin started the stronger, kicking down the slope and with the sun on their backs.
A series of corners were manfully defended by Thomas , Marcus and Kieran.
Starlands were unlucky not to get a breakaway goal when Callum had an edge of the box shot saved again the run of play.
However, the Darwin pressure soon told. A Darwin breakaway saw their forward line burst down the flank , clean through...Ben stayed on his line which is unusual and Boom! The shot was smashed into the roof of the net.
1-0
Another break down the wing saw Marcus unusually out run, and Thomas could not get across to help.The initial shot was saved by Ben but the rebound was met by a Darwin player 2-0 Things were looking ominous.
Josh went on a nice little run and was playing some nice balls out to the wings.He worked hard and earned Starlands a corner, but to no avail.
At last, Ben K had woken up and remembered why he was stood between two white poles on a Sunday morning.He was back to charging out - happy to take ball and man, making a number of brave blocks.
From one such save, he kicked the ball direct to Oscar setting up another attack that unfortunately fizzled out.Kieran was looking solid at the back, and Ben P was putting himself about...keen to get stuck in. ( On a side note. Well done on getting the black belt.)
The boys were playing some nice football at times , the passing between Callum and Josh was slick and Aran looked comfortable on the ball and was also making some nice runs.Some lovely skills and turns, but just needs to move the ball on a tiny bit sooner.
What was missing was any urgency and desire. Other than Marcus and Callum our boys were being to polite and waiting for the ball to come to them, and standing back rather than getting into the challenge. Rusty after the break can be the only answer?
In the second half, with Starlands playing down the slope and with the sun in Darwin's eyes, it was a different game.Increasingly Starlands were getting into the game.
Able to make a couple of subs allowing fresh legs , gave a new lease of life to the team.Luke and Zak came on and took over from the great effort shown by Ben P and Aran.
Further pressure from Starlands resulted in a Callum shot being saved their keeper.
Then a cross from Callum to Josh again went agonisingly wide.
Then the third attempt in as many minutes as Arans snap shot went wide too.
Whenever the ball did break to Darwin , the defensive duo of Marcus and Thomas were there to intervene. Callum was trying his best to be everywhere!
Ben K bravely threw himself at the strikers feet on more than one occasion , and has got the bruises to show for it!
The boys put up a tremendous second half performance , and we're very unlucky not to be level by the end of the game.
They had a very unlucky off side decision ruled against them, and Callum & Oscar tried to walk the ball into the net on more than occasion, when they should have just SHOT ! even Marcus' mum was shouting SHOOT ! I heard her....Why didn't they.....?
Darwin were the better side on the day.Much like the last game, we had the chances ....but never took them.
Parents player was a close thing between Marcus,Callum and Josh - with Josh taking the trophy for one of his best games and effort throughout.
Managers Player went to Ben K, which was lucky because he'd forgotten to bring the trophy back with him from the last game.
Credit must go to the boys for not giving up , and supporting each other throughout. There were signs of improvement, and as long as they give 100% and have fun then everyone's happy !.... We'll apart from The Dad's ;)
