FIRSTLY THANK YOU TO OUR FIRST GUEST REPORTER.....FOLLOWING ON FROM LINESMAN DUTIES....I CAN SEE ALOT MORE COMING FROM RAJ.
Caitlin Harper Ref (hopefully the boys won't be distracted by the female ref). Attendance around 40, a very good turnout. Raj tried using Siri off his iphone to take the notes for the match report, however Siri wasn't having any if it, too early on a Sunday morning??? Rob was back to replace Raj as the linesman & we had a full squad with Jed returning from injury.
10:15 kick off with Kieran & Luke as subs.
An early effort from Aran sent Oscar up the field but was stopped by their defence. Elford's number 2 had a shot, over the bar. A bit of confusion between Jed & Ben K lead a 1st corner for Elford literally cleared off the line by Ben K.
Another chance by Starlands from Callum sent Oscar on his way again, another stop by the keeper.
Counter attack, long shot by their no2 saved by Ben K. Another fine save by Ben K after their no 10 had another long shot.
Aran knocks it into the area & Ben P hits the crossbar. Oscar has a run & a shot only to be denied by the keeper with a fine save. Callum has a shot but hits the back of Aran & out for a goal kick.
Elford's No 2 shoots again, Ben K saves. Aran, Oscar & Josh all have a go at shooting at goal to no avail. Ben P has a shot at goal, just wide, goal kick.
Elford corner Starlands cleared the ball to the half way line, it's shot back to Marcus who sends it back, Aran shoots, saved by the keeper but not safe and rebounds Aran shoots again but the ball goes just wide of the goal.
(Kieran shouts across from the others side of the pitch if he can have a hot chocolate while he waits to come on. 'No!!' is the response from the tea ladies!)
Callum shoots, just over the bar. Josh shoots, saved, back to Aran who sends it over the top, (3points to Wigan! if it were rugby). Jed off, Luke on after 20minutes into the game. Hope his knee's not giving him trouble.
Elford's No 11 shoots, a flying save from Ben K who dives to the right corner turning the ball for a corner. The ball is cleared and one final attempt from Oscar just before the half time whistle but it's saved yet again by their keeper. So far possession 70% Starlands 30% them.
At this point the battery on my phone died so pen and paper in hand I continue....
Elford's Number 10 goes past several players unchallenged, across the defence and shoots, goal! 1-0
Oscar runs through their defence but ball pushed out for a corner. Zach sends it into the box but it's safe for Elford.
Aran off Kieran on five minutes into the second-half. Did he get his hot chocolate..? No he didn't, let's see how he gets on.
Elford shoot again, goes across the face of our goal and out for a goal kick. Callum goes it alone shoots just wide. Callum knocks it through to Oscar the keeper beats him to it & dives on the ball with both hands. However, the ball was outside the box, free-kick to Starlands! Oscar takes the free-kick, shoots, it's blocked!
Aran on Josh off in the 40th minute. Oscar runs at them again but it's forced out for a throw. Aran passes it to Kieran who passes it Callum who passes it to Oscar who shoots, saved again!
Ben K makes another fine save after their no 10 goes again almost unchallenged. Elford attack again, Ben K comes out, nearly fluffs it but recovers well.
Marcus goes down after a brilliant challenge and stays down, doesn't look good as the crowd wait agonisingly for him to get up - minutes pass and eventually Marcus's on his feet! The crowd cheer and Marcus jumps up and down like a jack rabbit?!?
Elford boys throw-in, Kieran blocks it and gets his head to it sending Callum on his way who gets a cross in, Oscar's there waiting in the box, gets a head to it - GGGOOOOOOAAAAAALLLLL! 1-1!
Elford's centre kick unchallenged, runs thru the middle Elford score their 2nd! 2-1. We were still celebrating our goal and as a had my head down writing I'm not sure who scored!
Starlands possession, Kieran's convinced its a corner kick for Starlands but the uncertainty leads to a throw in decision being given. Kieran takes a long throw it's heading for the box, Oscar smacks it & the keeper sits on the ball literally on the line or was it over??? We need goal line technology!!!
Starlands win another corner in the last remaining minutes Zach's ready to take it and what's this...??? Ben K's in the area waiting for the cross but it's cleared out....I haven't seen Ben K run back so quick and he manages to tackle the player making the attack and manages to save another one going in!
I've got writers cramp, my hand and arm's killing me, Karen's laughing at me saying I've probably not done as much writing since I left school...now I know why Simon does the match reports...he's used to writing on account of all the tickets he issues and incident reports he writes!
Ben K was awarded Man Of The Match by Rick and the Parents Man Of The Match goes to Callum for an excellent performance - award to be presented on Wednesday as Aran left the trophy at home & Callum had to rush off after the final whistle to watch his brother's match in Sutton.
All the boys played really well Zach in defence being called up to take the corners, Ben P changing position when Jed came off and Kieran despite having to wait for the final whistle for his hot chocolate!
