Excellent Start to the New Year with a really tough game

Today’s Squad Frankie, Jack, Tom, Edonis, Tommy, Connor, Saul, Jed, Louis, Morris, Gabe, Max, Sony, Ollie and Arlind.

Lunch time kick off and for some reason we seemed to start a bit better ……….Hmmm (Extra Sleep). Right from the start the pattern of the game was set. AP won the ball and launched it forward to the striker which Frankie collected . Soon after we were lucky no to concede when a cross from the right evaded everyone including a unmarked player on the far side. Another long ball and this time the defence cleared well the ball was then played to Tommy on the right who ran down the wing, he cut inside first and then back out Morris gave him a great shout and Tommy cut it back to the penalty spot where Morris smashed it home. 0.1 5 mins gone.

Next ten minutes we came under pressure, a lot of long balls and crosses. You can see why this team score goals as they play a very direct and early game. With fiftenn gone the game was leveled. The striker picked the ball up after a clearance and from a far distance smashed the ball into the top corner. 1.1

Still we had to endure pressure, but when we did get the ball and played our passing game they struggled to cope with us. As i said to Nick early on , i felt this game had goals in it !!! We played the ball out of defence and drew the foul just inside their half. Edonis took the free kick , Ollie made a late run down the near side and flicked the ball in the middle to find Saul who scored, Again another well worked goal 1.2 25 mins gone.

Chances were to come for both side we hit the cross bar and Frankie made a couple really smart saves. Finally the crosses and pressure paid off for them and we were a little exposed as they scored with a header 2.2 35Mins

But to all your credit no heads dropped as you all saw that on the counter we had opportunities to score, it was from a counter/ clearance from Frankie that the ball found Max on the right. He ran down the wing and as he came up to the box he took a early shot. (As we did in training) The goalie had messed up his angles and the ball found the near post corner 2.3 40 Mins

With the end of half looming Louis was harshly adjudged for a high foot maybe chest height, and the player ducked down. Free kick on the edge the shot went over the wall but Frankie made a fantastic dive to his right to push the ball round the post 2.3 HT Fantastic Half but not finished yet !!!

Second Half started very similar to the first AP playing the early long ball, us soaking up pressure and hitting them on the break.

The first real chances went to them a corner was played in we didn’t go with the runners but fortunately they headed wide. Soon after another corner and this time Frankie punched clear when under great pressure (As we did in training). Then Frankie makes a magnificent double save first a really strong had stops a certain goal and he then blocked the follow up and the defence cleared. All the time we looked dangerous on the counter.

Another long ball was dealt with by the defence and falls to Jed in the middle a driving run takes him towards the box where he was fouled. Tom took this free kick and the ball went just over the bar. Another ball cleared by the defence is played up to Morris who is brought down on the edge of the box. Edonis takes this one low and hard, it clips the wall but finds the back of the net 2.4 65 Mins

However they would not go away. We gave away a free kick on the edge of the box near the right touchline a swinging cross/shoot curls into the top corner 3.4 75 Mins

Now its very much end to end they pushing for an equalizer, us looking to extended on the counter. Saul makes a couple great run down the left and almost finds Gabe both times on for them to scramble away. Max comes on at Wing back and makes 3 fantastic interceptions/ tackles. Finally we get the break quick passing by Jed,saul Connor find Morris who splits the defence and fires into the goal. Another fantastic goal 3.5 85Mins

Last 5 minutes i be honest was “Park the bus”, take to the corner, but again we had the last say as Gabe brought a fine save from the keeper in the dying minutes.

Final score 3.5 a fantastic hard fought win !!!!

MoTH: OMG this is probably the hardest i have ever done, You played with heart and dedication sometimes doing a roll unfamiliar to you. Honrable mentions Frankie three fantastic saves and no idea how many blocks. The back three Jack, Tom, Edonis headers, clearances, crosses and Goals. Midfield tireless work on a huge pitch Saul, Jed, Sony and Connor, Wing backs up and down Louis, Tommy, Ollie and upfront we took our chances, help the ball Morris, Gabe Max and Arlind. However it goes to Max but probably for his defensive display the final 25 minutes. He broke up play,tackled, headed clear and worked so hard to keep them out and oh yes scored a goal well done!!

Training Wednesday19:30, Game Sunday 12:30 KO Aldenham