Todays game was probably one of the best team performances from the boys in a long long time !
Every single lad put a 100% effort in and really battled for each other.
The MAN OF THE MATCH award wnet to NICK who from start to finish showed some fantastic defending....timely interceptions, reading the game, supporting, blocking and effort....It's amazing how much easier it is without a full roast dinner in your tummy !...Well done.
All the boys arrived in good time as instructed by their leader.....only the Coach was late ! :)
All of the boys really did put in a shift - and on REMEMBERANCE SUNDAY...It really iwas a performance to remember.
Before the game both sets of players lined up and took part in a minutes silence....poppies were then removed and the kids lined up to commence their own battle!....
From the start Ben was off his line twice and made a couple of saves - much improved from last week...and back to the Ben we know...
Kieran and Nick managed to get a couple of great defensive headers in to clear from corners...
Marcus, Callum and Nick were doing a sterling job at the back - whenever the troublesome Elford No.6 looked to break free - one of the Starland trio managed to get back and cover. Brilliant effort !
Jed and Kai were linking up well up front with Josh and there was some nice passing between them - and Luke , who once again looked inspired...
A BIG thanks to Luke for missing his beloved WBA v Newcastle to ensure the boys had 9 players....well ....at least to start with!...Jed who was looking promising in a more advanced role was not to last the full 60 minutes due to a foul.
The first half ended 0-0 with both teams up and down , and both having chances.
The second half, Luke broke 1 ....2....3 tackles and looked clear through on goal....SHOOT ! came the shout from the supporters...but just as he was about to hit his shot, the ball was taken off his toe...
Elford then broke and went down the other end only to blast the ball wide !...
A through ball from Elford then found Ben coming out to clear , but the ball fell to an Elford player who immediately took his opportunity to shoot goal bound...It must be a goal?....NO !....Marcus had done what any good defender should do and tracked back to cover his keeper...and made a goal line clearance.....Well Done Marcus.
Next Starlands had a high floating shot fly goal wards.....the Elford keeper was in difficulty - but fortunately the ball bounced just wide.
As you would expect, it was Elfords turn to attack...and Nick made a superb last ditch tackle to prevent a shot on goal.
Then Jed was injured upfront cynically taken out by the Elford defender - allowing an Elford attack, They broke wide and the ball fell to the striker who hit the ball hard into the far corner....1-0 to Elford.
Starlands were down to 8 players and 1-0 down....but to their credit they never gave up. Kai passed through to Callum who ran in on goal and hit a thunder bolt shot into the roof of the net !...GOooooooooooooooooooooooAL....unstoppable.....The crowd went wild !....Fantastic goal.
Josh and Luke then started to really battle hard....Luke probably too hard !...and gave a free kick away ...as well as a warning from his Dad to calm down...lol....Nice to see a bit of grit from our boys for once,
Ben once again was quick off his line to clear...and the block hit the striker and it flew over Bens head goal bound....Noooooo!.....Fortunately , Ben managed to recover and caught the ball.
Then MArcus went through once again on goal, could he steal it at the end?>......just as he was about to shoot the defender made a fantastic tackle similar to Nicks earlier effort.
Such a shame - but in truth , neither team deserved to lose this game - It was played in a good spirit...with some great football at both ends...and so it ended 1-1
Well Done Boys.
A mention to Azza who was ill. ....and a Special get well to Oskar who we understand is recovering from an Appendicitis operation. Get Well soon lads.
Next week is also AWAY - Details to follow from Rick .....
