Whitton Utd 8th November 2008

It was back to league action after a few weeks off, with a tricky away game at Whitton Utd. The last time we were at this ground we were winning their summer 5 a side tournament. The glory days!!

A Game

The line up was Ollie S in goal, Jack, Charlie B and Will across midfield, Dash and Freddie up front. Sam and Matty on the bench.
Whitton attacked from the very start and caused us immediate problems. In less than 2 minutes we found ourselves a goal down. Our lack of tackling proved to be a problem for most of the game. We failed to get in the way of their attackers and left Ollie exposed in goal. 0-1

Freddie and Dash battled well up front and combined well when Dash got the equaliser 5 minutes later 1-1.

We started to get more into the game and put together some nice passing moves, too often though the final ball went astray or was hit straight to a defender. When Whitton had the ball they looked dangerous. They took the lead again just before half-time when we were caught napping as they took their corner. Their player ran into the box and his marker didn't. Again leaving Ollie with little chance. 1-2. We were having one of those days!!

At half time Matty and Sam replaced Jack and Charlie. Matty went up front and Freddie dropped to Midfield. Within a few minutes we were level again when during an attack in their box Matty managed to get a toe on the ball and poked it between the keepers legs to make it 2-2. Soon after this Matty had to leave the field due to the cold weather affecting his Asthma and was unable to take part in the rest of the game.

We pushed forward and won a corner. We were all looking forward to a Charlie Bance special! We have scored a few from his corners this season, could he find a strikers head today? The answer was no! The only thing he found was the net as the ball soared over the keepers head and straight in! 3-2.

At this point I thought perhaps thing would turn our way but for some reason we seemed to back off again and allow Whitton to get back into the game. Freddie and Dash had to resort to coming back and doing the tackling themselves just to get a sniff of the ball. The heavy pitch, wind and having only one available substitute was taking it's toll.

We let it slip when despite having several chances to get the ball clear we ended up giving away a soft corner. We looked vulnerable but this time the ball glanced off Will's shoulder and into the goal. 3-3.There was nothing Will or Ollie could do about it.

We pushed forward and almost got another when Freddie carried the ball into the box and passed it to the back post where Dash slid in and only narrowly missed the ball. Whitton came straight back up the pitch and scored their 4th. 3-4.

I didn't think we would have enough time to respond but we came back fighting and managed to raise our game enough to set Dash loose in the box where he fired home a rocket from a narrow angle. 4-4. Both sets of managers were willing the ref to blow his whistle as not only was a draw the fairest result but our nerves were shredded. This was a proper roller-coaster of a game.

Every player is entitled to an off day. This was one of those days where several players performed below their usual standard. Despite this we did well to come away with a point and remain undefeated in the league so far. The boys were exhausted after the game and by far the muddiest I've seen them in a while. Will O Maley in particular looked like he had just climbed out of a trench!! If only I had remembered my camera!!

Man of the match was Freddie McDade. He never stopped running or tackling and battled for every minute of the game. Playing against his school mates seemed to bring out the best in him!! A special mention to Dash who worked hard up front and took his goals well, and Connor Savage who battled well in defence.


B Game

The line up was Harley in goal, Kyle in defence, Dan, Keiran and Cam in midfield. Nat and Charlie W up front. With Alex, Jake and Connor R on the bench.

The game kicked off with Whitton going straight into attack. We weathered the storm well and settled into the game. Whitton continued to attack without really troubling Harleys goal. We defended well and tackled strongly with Keiran (playing against his school mates and ex team mates) flying into everything.

The half continued in this way until we finally broke free for our first decent attack of the game. A great ball from Cammy found Nat at the back post who promptly banged it in. 1-0 against the run of play!!

At half time Alex Jake and Connor joined the game. The second half continued in much the same way as the first with Whitton having the upper hand but unable to break down our midfield and defence. Harley was called on to make a couple of saves and dealt with the attacks well.

It was only a matter of time until they got a deserved equaliser. 1-1. Much to the releif of their manager.

With a couple of minutes left on the clock I put Keiran back on the pitch with a free role to get stuck in. Within a minute he had won the ball, took it past several players and set Nat up for his second goal of the game. 2-1.

We only had to hold on for a short nailbiting time to gain a great win. Once again Keiran carried the ball past several players and got the ball into the box where Alex finished the game off with a well taken goal.

The game ended 3-1 to us despite being under pressure for most of the game. It was great to see the lads grind out a result and refuse to buckle. We didn't create many chances but we finished the few we made well.

Man of the Match was Keiran. He was involved in everything and turned the game when he was re-introduced near the end.