Maybe Starlands Elites luck is changing.
Today on a lovely sunny Autumnal afternoon The Boys visited local rivals Four Oaks Falcons who had been on a recent winning run.
Starlands themselves had won last week against the Starlands Mets and so today would be as always a very evenly contested match.
Rick was absent so Rob stepped up to the plate and shouted instructions to the team as well as ran the line.
Deano was struggling from a recent trampoline injury...and Tony had a hole in his pumps and didnt want to get his feet wet.
Azza was missing - and Nick is sticking to rugby - so we were a couple light - but a new player Harvey has joined us ! So, as one door closes another opens!
Todays match report will be brief - but in essence every single one of the boys played their part in a very exciting game, with chances at either end.
Four Oaks took the lead against the run of play with a deflected goal coming in from a wide cross. At this point, Starlands heads could have gone down but NO ! they battled on and their endeavour paid off.
Starlands equalised with a mazy Marcus run down the flank crossing for Tom to get his debut goal on his birthday ! Well done kidda.
Luke and Callum were showing signs of their solid defensive partnership and Luke passed to Josh who turn and shot on the edge of the box just wide.
Marcus then received a Gov pass , taking it down the wing and cutting in with a shot that was saved by the giant Falcons keeper. The deflected save rebounded ot Max whose effort was tapped in on the goal line by Josh. Unfortunately he was stood in an off side position - and so the goal was disallowed.
Next a similar build up, with a Marcus shot defelcted into the path of Max who made no mistake this time smashing the ball into the roof of the net 2-1!
Starlands were starting to play some really nice football - and Kieran was playing very well at the back snuffing out any chances and setting up counter attacks down the wing.
Gov started the second half strongly and was putting himself about - linking with Marcus , and one such attack Marcus went through one on one with the keeper and only an outstretched foot prevented Marcus scoring. Good shot Good save.
Callum then fed Marcuswho let fly with a tremendous long range shot that stung the hands of the keeper. That should have been 3-1 !....any other keeper in the League would not have got anywhere near that ! Being 6 foot helps with the high shots ! lol. But, it was his undoing later on...
Callum intercepted a pass and put Marcus away whose shot bounced up kindly into the diving keepers arms.
Gov made it 3-1 with a shot that crept agonsingly over the line....no need for Hawk eye technology with a very honest and sporting Falcons linesman who signalled to the referee goal !....Thank you and nice to see - but I am not sure his son will be talking to him tonight !
That was the killer goal because Starlands could play with a little confidence...and 3-1 soon became 4-1 with Gov's 2nd when Harvey went on a lovely run beforecrossing to Gov who put it into the bottom corner.
Then a delightful team move with lots of close passing aorund the edge of the box between Callum, Max, Mason and Josh - led to Josh tucking it under the keeper who was a little slow to get all the way down.
Mason did his best to get on the score sheet - with another Marcus cross falling at his feet, he shot and it went inches wide !.....Noooooooooo! Dont worry Mason it will come and then the flood gates will open ! and your Dad will be handing out those goal bonuses !
Zak had come on in the second half and had his best game of the season - He looked more confident and made some telling interceptions to break up attacks.
It sounds like Starlands were the dominant side - but they were not !...Falcons had plenty of chances with the fast striker put through on goal more than once, but Ben was quick off his line to sweep and made four or five good saves from shots inside the box at telling times.
This game was a really good game to watch - and the scoreline does not reflect the even nature of the match, always a close game and a shame someone has to lose.
Starlands ran out 5-1 winners...with no man of the match due to EVERY boy playing their part.
Welcome to Harvey and Happy Birthday to Tom ! a nice Birthday goal .
