This week Starlands Eilte travelled on a blustery ,rainy day to play Lichfield City Saints.
This was going to be a tough competitive game based on previous matches - but with a few key players returning - Starlands could look forward positively.
The rain was bucketing down and it was blowing a gale !...Starlands decided to kick up hill first half...Hope to hold out and then dominate with the slope and conditions second half...Would it work?? Dawn was convinced it would !
After no time it was 1-0 with Josh scoring in the bottom corner.
But just as quick it was 1-1 with Lichfield scoring straight from kick off with a through ball. Ben came off his line and fortunately missed the striker but unfortunately missed the ball too...the striker went around the keeper and slotted home.
A corner off the defenders head but the linesman called over the referee and a goal kick was duly awarded releiving the pressure from the Lichfield goal.
Another corner given this time to Starlands but they struggled to get it into the box.
Susceptible to a ball over the top. the defence cleared to Tom who spread the play to Marcus who took it just too far....Shame.
A corner with the wind behind was floated into the box. A through ball by Lichfield was easily covered by Callu who then setp MArcus on another run who played a nicve ball into Max. Josh lost possession by the ever present Lichfield girl - She went through on goal. The break was broken up by Callum but he cleared right across the box and the striker picked it up and slotted it home past a stranded Ben who was stuck in the mud ! 2-1 to Lichfield.
Kieran defendeed well and set up another Marcus run h a superb pass. Marcus passed to Callum through to Max whose snap shot on the edge of the box flew wide.
Max then scored ! Making 2-2 following some lovely interplay again from Tom spreading the play...
Lichfield attacked but the defence was just pipped for pace. Ben just managed to dive and get finger tips to the ball allowiis defence to get back and clear the ball.
From the corner Kieran was being jostled - but the ball was cleared. A great goalgame from a quick Starlands break - Max strided through midfield to play in Tom who laid it off to Josh who played a one two and Tom slotted home his first goal into the empty net to make it 3 at half time... Fully deserved up kicking up hill ! Well done Boys.
Second half - 3-3 straight from kick off a through ball with Ben off his line sliding out ....but missing man and ball. The striker rolled the ball into the open net.
Zak threw himself into a challenge to save a certain goal - great bravery !
Ben then saved at his near post.
Starlands attack wa then thwarted - Josh through on goal. Marcus ran in on goal which was saved....ut Azza foing in nudged both ball and defender into the back if the net to make it 4-3 to Starlands !
5-3 from a pass from Josh to Marcus who took them on and slotted home into the bottom corner.
Lichfield then attacked and Ben made a 1 on 1 save.... Harvey then had a shot going just wide.
The match finished 5-3 to Starlands just before the heavens opened ! A terrific game of entertaining football.
I thought Tom had a brilliant game upfront - He scored and he linked play really well. As his confidence grows he will get better and better.
Great efforts from Zak, Kieran and Mason at the back - really gave it 100% well done boys. ...of course with the increasingly assured partnership oke and Callum.
Harvey also did a lot of unseen work - and was unlucky not to score.
MOM was awarded to Josh I am told ?....I cant be sure ...I ran for cover !!! Horrible weather - But great win.
