Kirton Kestrels 12th September 2009

This was our first game of the new season and our first competitive 11 a side game. Unfortunately due to holidays, Dutch trips and even a case of swine flu etc. we were unable to organise as many pre season friendlies as I would have liked. We did put in a very good performance against Ransomes before fatigue set in.!!

The conditions were not ideal for football, very hot and sunny with a rock hard pitch. The footballers and the gardeners need rain!!

The squad for today was -
Ollie S in goal. Cammy, Jack and Connor in defence. Curtis, Freddie, Charlie B, Keiran and Ollie M in midfield. Dash and Damien up front. Alex, Kyle, Callum and Charlie W on the bench.

The hard, dry pitch made it very difficult for both teams to keep the ball on the ground. passing was hampered by the unpredictable bounce and more often than not the ball would be bobbling about at knee height!! Not easy to play on. This made it a very scrappy game although both teams did try to play good football.
The balance of play was pretty even although I thought we looked the more dangerous side going forward. several times Ollie Mac made some good runs down the right and got a couple of quality crosses into their box. Damien was looking dangerous up front but Kirton were defending in numbers.
With 17 minutes on the clock we were pushing forward but lost the ball, Kirton attacked quickly and scored to make it 0-1.
The game carried on in the same scrappy style until half time. 0-1.

Alex, Kyle an Callum replaced Cammy, Connor and Keiran at half time.

The second half had barely begun when Kirton broke through into our box. As the striker was about to line up his shot Alex got across and put in a superb tackle. Before the second striker could pounce Alex was back on his feet and made a second crucial tackle. Thenkfully the score remained 0-1!
Kirton broke through again soon after, this time Ollie pulled off a great save to keep us still in the game.
After those coule of scares we began to impose ourselves in th Kirton half. Keiran was re-introduced and added a bit of bite to the midfield. We began to put together a few passing moves and a great piece of play between Keiran, Freddie and Charlie saw Freddie thread the ball through to Dash, who controlled it well and managed to turn and get in a shot. The keeper saved but we were starting to create chances. Another move down the left with Ollie Mac and Callum saw a great ball being deliverd across the Kirton goal. We were unlucky not to poke it in.
Finally with 4 minutes remaining our pressure paid off as Damien managed to slot the ball past the keeper for a well deserved equaliser.
This was one of those games where most people watching would agree that a draw would be the fairest result. However with the last kick of the ball charlie managed to lob the keeper from way out on the right touchline, it somehow dipped under the bar and we had pinched it 2-1!! Heart-breaking for the Kirton players in particular the goalkeeper who had played well all game and was distraught at the end.
Kirton kicked off and the final whistle was blown. We finished the game 2-1 winners.

Overall I was very pleased with the effort and comittment shown by the lads. It's always good to start the season with a win. Even one clinched in the dying seconds. There were positive signs all over the pitch. Jack was confident and strong in the central defensive position and the rest of the defenders looked solid. Charlie B worked hard in the centre with some really good linking play going on with him, Freddie and Keiran. Ollie Mac had his best game down the right with some great crosses going in. Dash and Damien worked hard up front and I'm confident they'll bag a decent haul of goals before the season is out.
Man of the match was Charlie Bance. He worked his socks off for the whole game and the wonder strike at the end was the icing on the cake.