Starlands played local team COLRON in The League Cup.
The weather looked much improved from last weeks hurricane. However, just as kick off was approaching the storm clouds circled and wind & rain descended heavier than last week...but not quite as cold....Anyway ENOUGH of the weather report because todays game was a classic !
Starlands were down to 10 players with Kieran absent along with Jed a long term absentee.
Rick was away in KENT - which allowed Rob VAN GAL and Dean PULIS to pull the strings in a new management combination....
COLRON are a useful outfit, however this was their second string and under NEW MANAGEMENT with well respected cricket manager Mr.Phil Carey now trying his hand at the bigger ball game.
Without a recognised referee Mr.Carey and Mr.VAN GAL stepped up to referee a half each....WOuld either have enough puff to blow the whistle when required.
Starlands won the toss but couldnt be bothered to move and kick up hill ...so they remained uphill with the wind behind for the first half.
The pace was frenetic and both teams were everywhere. The spectators were keen to express their support...maybe a bit too much at times?...It's great to encourage ALL the kids of BOTH teams at ALL TIMES ....and I am sure they appreciate the support. However, WE must remember not to pressure them / intimidate them or more importantly confuse them.
Without doubt it is done with best of intentions - and we are all guilty of letting our excitement run away with us....But let's try !....I think it was clear that we could see some poor examples of Junior Football on show today ....and NOT FROM THE KIDS - Who on BOTH SIDES were a credit to their Managers ,CLubs and Parents.
Anyway...... Back to the game.
Starlands had the lions share of play - and there was some good interplay - passing and moving...but we appeared to be afraid to SHOOT !.... Despite the instructions from the sidelines :) NOBODY will blame you for having a go !....who cares if you miss?....Not Rick or Rob !.....OK....maybe Dean?....but he'll only throw the hair dryer once !
COLRON took the lead against the run of play with a clinical finish following a defensive mix up. The second was slotted from an acute angle to make it 2-0 to the HOME team.
Starlands continued to battle on and were unlucky not to score following a few attacks...Infact, at times we prevented more shots on target by getting in the way !
Nick and Aran were having a steady game at the back - with BOTH being ex COLRON players they were keen to make an impression.
Marcus had warmed up after last weeks freezing temperatures - but was still wandering slightly out of position. He did go on some productive forward runs, oicking up the ball deep in his own half and passing players with ease to lay off a pass to one of the forwards.
Upfront Oscar,Azza and Josh were doing their best - but the final killer pass or shot was just not coming off. As always Callum was working between both sets of players - showing great endeaviour. Luke was making some in roads and had a couple of efforts blaze over the bar...this season he has been a changed player ...far more confident and prepared to get on the ball.
Starlands managed to get a goal back from Oscar hot on the goal trail. - this followed a sustained period of pressure and a goal mouth scramble...Oscar was keen to take more money from his mums purse with his GOAL BONUS !
Half time came 2-1....what would kicking up hill provide?
Ben had woken up and came off his line a few times to clear danger..
Starlands were pressing and COLRON were trying to hold their defences tight and hit on the counter attack. Once or twice they made the break through, but like STarlands in the first half were guilty of squandering their own goal bound attempts. Starlands rode their luck a few times...But, also there were some clinical last ditch tackles from Nick ,Callum and Marcus in particular. Aran was once again using his head and a few tricks to get out of trouble...and looked a little quicker than usual?...Had his Dad been giving him extra sprint training?...
As the game progressed it looked increasingly likely that Starlands would not have any luck...and COLRON would grab their first victory.
As we approached FERGIE TIME...the Second half referee and keen Manchester Utd fan Rob VAN GAL adjusted his watch.... The fella on the sideline was living every kick...pushing COLRON on with every breath left in his body !... EXCITABLE was one word for it.... If he could have got on the pitch he would have !....oh yeah...He DID ! :) lol.
The banter was all good natured - and it was probably one of the more exciting matches we have played in. The weather seemed to worsen....as the rain bucketed down...The COLRON keeper kept making save after save... there was a progression of corners taken by Oscar that were headed over by Azza or wide by Aran....It looked as though we had missed our chance.
Then finally, a clearance fell to Marcus who was rushing forward, He beat one player, he took it inside and beat another....Not for the first time the word 'SHOOT' or COMMAND was given. If you'll pardon the expression....He let rip !.....the ball flew low and hard like a rocket !....through a crowd of players....Alex the Colron Keeper dived in despair ...the ball flew into the far corner ! Yeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeees ! THE EQUALISER !....The Starlands Boys were ecstatic...regrettably The COLRON lads were disappointed. There was still time left for another push for the winner!!!....
Again this resulted in a corner...Ben came up from the back!??? Had D£AN PULIS lost the plot?!..... Take the draw !...We've got away with a point ! lol.
Fortunately, the corner came to nothing.... I think a draw was a fair result for both teams - It would have been sad for either set of lads to go away without anything.
So, the game finished...2-2 ....a friendly start to the League Cup...with further games against Four Oaks Falcons, Brereton and STarlands MEts to follow...
BRERETON next week ! Hoep you all dry out. NO MAN OF THE MATCH WAS AWARDED..... EVERYONE played well ! Well Done Boys....and without a shadow of a doubt...GOAL OF THE SEASON goes to Marcus ! Fantastic ! worth a £10 er of any Mother money ! Monica YOU got away lightly ! only a £5er this week ! :)
Well done to RaJ for running the line ...and well done to VAN GAL & PULIS....Better than Sherwood you have a 100% no lose ratio !
