Starlands V Holly Lane. Shield Match.
Match Report by roving reporter Raj.
Good turn out, full squad and 3 subs!!! Subs Luke, Ki, Reece.
Aran playing right back, Callum centre defence and Nick in his usual position of left back. Kieran right wing, Josh left wing, Marcus and Oski midfield and Azza up front.
Early chance by Holly Lane, Ben came off his line to clear, could this be the start of a things to come..??? Sure enough Holly Lane attack again and it's 1 nil at 4 minutes in to Holly Lane.
Nice run from Callum, shot deflected and saved. Counter attack saw the ball bounce over our defence then shot just wide of the goal - lucky escape. We need to watch the ball, the bounce and meet the ball not wait for the ball to come to us.
Another attack again by Holly Lane shot just wide saw our players defeated and walking back with no sense of urgency. 10 minutes Luke on Kieran off.
Clash of heads with Aran & their striker saw Aran stay on but their player go off. Both went for a header, fair challenge, eyes on the ball. Both ok.
Holly Lanes 1st corner cleared saw a counter attack and shot saved.
20minutes another goal by Holly Lane, chipped over Ben who came off his line and out to challenge - 2 nil.
21minutes 3 nil after 5 attacking our back 3, where were the midfield and support...??? Still walking back???!!!
26minutes Holly Lane corner unchallenged saw the ball go in the back of our net and score now up to 4 nil.
Oski challenged and stopped another attack only to give a free kick outside the area. Free kick shot at goal, unchallenged again went just wide.
Out classed and out played - end of 1st half.
2nd half Azza off Reece on. 40mins Josh off Ki on. A nice flick on by Holly Lane and shot at the goal saw Ben make an excellent save but not quite cleared then the rebound was shot over the cross bar. Goal kick pushed an attack, mistake by their defence saw Reece run at goal, shoot the crowd shouted, he did shoot but hit the cross bar - excellent effort.
55minutes Oski off, Ki off & Reece off. Josh, Azza & Kieran all back on. Kieran had a chance as did Azza but cleared by their defence. A throw-in by Holly Lane by our area saw it pushed out and a counter; Josh to Marcus who had a shot saved but not cleared or safe, Kieran ran in for the rebound but saved. With only a few minutes to spare Aran pushed up and hit a volley - shot 25yards out, just went over the cross bar and our last opportunity.
Better 2nd half by all the Starlands boys and kept a clean sheet in the 2nd half. We also saw better passing, communication and getting back to defend. Man Of The Match went to Nick and well done to all the boys.
