An early kick off against arguably the best team in the League last season; we had lost 2-0 to them in April when they were the only team we had failed to score against, so we knew this was going to be the toughest challenge of the season so far.
Before the game we spoke about not wasting chances and passing the ball better and more quickly when attacking.
We opted to kick uphill in the first half and managed to win the ball from their kick off. Dylan raced up field and won a corner in the first minute. Dylan got some good height and pace on the corner and the Kestrels’ keeper came out to catch it. The greasy ball slipped through his gloves and Jacob pounced to push the loose ball over the line. Fantastic start: 0-1.
The Kestrels attacked straight from the restart and Cole came out well to smother a shot. He cleared the ball quickly to Dylan whose shot was well saved at the other end. A short while later Dylan had a powerful free kick saved again. The Kestrels were dangerous on the break and William was solid to clear the danger.
Then Dylan, Jacob and Ollie started to pass the ball really well in midfield; Dylan played a nice pass back to Ollie on the edge of the box and although his super long range shot was saved, Jacob was first to the loose ball and calmly took it round the Kestrels’ keeper for his second: 0-2
The Kestrels were passing the ball well but Nathan was doing a fantastic job marking George who is without doubt the best attacking player in the age group. He didn’t have any time on the ball and if he did manage to get past Nathan, Sam, Ollie or Tom were there to clear the ball forward. With five minutes of the half left the Kestrels got a free kick on the edge of the penalty area. The ball clipped the inside of the post and just crossed the line before Tom made a clearance: 1-2.
Both teams were playing really well and in the final minutes of the half the Kestrels had a shot go over the bar and Dylan had a good effort saved.
Half time: 1-2
The second half was much the same as the first with both teams battling and passing well. Jacob won the ball in midfield and played a quick pass to Ollie whose shot was well saved and then Dylan had a long range effort come back off the post. The Kestrels had another free kick on the edge of the box and though the ball cleared the wall, Jacob headed it over the bar to safety. William, Nathan, Tom and Sam were winning the defensive battle and Jacob, Ollie and Dylan were playing some great attacking passes. Eleven minutes into the half and the Wolves attacked from a good clearance from Tom. Sam picked up the ball on the right of the penalty area and played a perfect pass to Dylan, taking all the defenders and goalkeeper out of the game for a simple tap in: 1-3.
The Kestrels stepped up the pace and Cole did well to catch a dangerous cross and then again was quick off his line to force George wide when one of his speciality goals looked on the cards. The Kestrels eventually got a shot past Cole but Tom was quick to clear off the line (his fourth goal-line save!)
With five minutes left to play Cole put a long drop kick to Dylan wide on the right. Dylan did well to keep possession and fired a powerful shot low into the far corner to seal the win: 1-4
Final score: 1-4
What an absolutely brilliant performance from every single one of the boys. The tackling was committed and the boys used the ball intelligently and read the game well. The Kestrels didn’t have an off day today and are still a superb team; we just played the game I’ve known we have been capable of doing with everyone playing their part – well done boys!!!
