This was a game that we've been looking forward to for a while after East Leigh had beaten us early in the season due to two lucky goals, and it certainly didn't disappoint. We started strongly and went straight at the opposition with some good play and positioning and we tried to pass the ball around as we progressed towards their goal. East Leigh once again had a solid defence and were able to contain us as Jacob went eagerly looking for his first goal as a striker. The good partnership between him and Katie, who was looking strong today, is becoming evident in the way they unselfishly pass the ball between themselves and it won't be long before they start slotting the ball home and sharing the spoils.
Jacob is becoming stronger with his challenges and dribbling and came close on more than one occasion, also mixing things up with some incredible throw-ins.Katie, now fully recovered was ruggedly good and showed great pace and ability with some excellent forward moves and great passing. Jyoti had another good game and solid performance, chasing each ball with enthusiasm, whilst also threatening to score on one occasion and putting in some good throw-ins.
The game progressed up and down the pitch with some exciting play from both sides and at one point East Leigh looked to be threatening when they spent a few minutes in our area. However they hadn't reckoned on the combined efforts of Alex, Dominic and Jako who were up to everything that came their way. Jako put in another top performance and made some great stops, clearing the ball well up the field and immediatley making East Leigh have to take a backward step. Alex had some great positioning today and was equal to almost every challenge, coming close to a man of the match performance, whilst Dom was consistently strong throughout the match and is quickly turning into a defender that other teams fear!
Ethan was simply outstanding today, controlling his area with ease and stealing the ball from the opposition at every chance he got. He put some top passes in and some great through balls to set our strikers on their way on a number of occasions and to his full credit he helped out in every area of the pitch to give some of our players a break. A true man of the match performance. He was also rewarded with a goal just before the half-time whistle when he crossed the ball into the goal area and the East Leigh keeper was unable to hold onto it as it bounced out of his hands! It was nice to go in 1 nil up at the break and being rewarded with a goal for our efforts so far!
The second half got underway and as expected East Leigh came out of the blocks quickly and looking to grab one back. Once again we were up to the challenge and despite some tired legs from the uphill challenge of the first half, we dug in deep and stopped the opposition from scoring. Hollie, once again surprised with her sheer determination and ability on the ball and on one memorable occasion was able to mesmorise the opposition with her twists and turns before they'd had enough and unfairly hacked her down! Dylan ran all over the pitch like a man possessed and despite getting in his team-mates way a couple of times, he should have a prize for sheer dogged determination and the number of times he got in the way of the ball. It's great to see him settling back into the team and fully deserves his place. Thomas had a good game today as well and hardly put a foot wrong. He tackled well and put in somes great forward passes which in turn set up some great opportunities for our strikers. He also put in a great and amusing header that unfortunately he knew nothing about as it bounced off the back of his head!
Unfortuntely East Leigh were able to equalise in a mad goalmouth scramble when Jako was unable to get to the ball midway through the second half. It was as if they'd sniffed blood and suddenly started pushing a little harder to strike the ball at us. Despite their best efforts, our defence was again up to the challenge including Ethan who'd stepped in to give Alex a very well deserved break. There was one moment a couple of minutes from time when we thought they'd nicked the game from us as they got off a shot after another mad scramble, only to find Jako react with superhuman instincts and keep them out again.
We held our nerve and continued to attack right to the whistle in what must surely be one of the games of the season against a team that has only lost twice. We perhaps should have wrapped the game up earlier on but a draw was a fair result against a tough team. Another great game to watch with a great set of parents supporting us. Big thanks to everyone.
