Starlands travelled to the far side of Cannock to play Huntington Harriers in the return League game.
Starlands lost out 4-1 at home in their first game against Harriers and were hoping to improve on that scoreline.
It was over 3 weeks since Starlands had played any kind of competitive match - and a few weeks since any of the boys hads trained.
However, a New Year...a New Start and so it proved....
Starlands started with a new set up with Jed, Kieron,Josh in midfield and Oscar in a roaming forward role. The usual safe combination of Marcus and Zak were in defence and Ben between the sticks.
Starlands were the early pace setters, and applied plenty of pressure to The Harriers defence. Oscar forced a tremendous save from the Harriers goalkeeper who managed to tip over a great point blank volley.That should have been Starlands 1-0 up! Alas, it was not to be....
A break from Harriers was thwarted by a great block by Josh who had tracked back - showing great effort.
A couple of corners by the home team were well marshalled by Marcus & Zak.
Kieron and Jed were making their presence felt in midfield and breaking up play and looking to feed the ball through for the speedy Oscar to run onto.
This was great to watch - and whatever the Starlands boys had for Christmas was paying dividends. A lovely ball found Kieron in space - he instinctively shot, but just could not get enough power on the ball after all his hard work to get in position and battle for the ball.
However, as time went on and Starlands did not get something from the early pressure - things were starting to improve for Harriers.
They won another corner , and Starlands failed to clear the ball first time. The ball fell to the Harriers striker who hit the ball through a crowd of players at close range giving Ben no chance. 1-0 to the home side against the play.
Oscar was linking up with Jed and the midfield nicely, plenty of effort from all the boys!
Harriers broke,,,their striker was bearing down on goal. Ben as he always does - was quick to come off his line. Probably too quick and too far, but how the striker managed to slip it past him from that angle and distance was unbelievable. However, he did and it was 2-0.
There was a danger that the boys would drop their heads and give in, but they held on till half time , and OScar was unlucky to drag one wide just before the break.
Rick The Manager was able to gather the boys around and made a few changes - with Luke and Lewis coming on.
Both Lewis & Luke ran their socks off, showing for the first time what they are truly both capable of. It was always there - but today the fans could see real commitment and effort by them both.Running from box to box and making tellign challenges and strikes on goal. Well done!
Second half, Starlands continued to press.Luke broke up the play - settingup a counter attack by Oscar which resulted in a corner.
Pressure from Luke and Oscar set up Lewis who shot just wide.
Harriers were then through on goal but Ben came out to charge the ball down.The ensuing rebound hit the bar and there was the ever present Marcus to clear the ball and come to Ben's rescue.
Oscar then had another effort admirably saved by the harriers keeper - who not only dazzled with his high vis top but also his saves!
Then catastrophe hit!...a ball was deflected by Zak into his own net, Ben was wrong footed and Harriers went 3-0 up. It was such a shame because Zak was having a fine game at the back. He looked calm and reassured on the ball, able to read the game and intercept passes and play his way out of trouble. Sometimes too calmly for his Dad & Ricks heart!!
Josh back on for Oscar set up a break, Kieran unlucky to have his shot deflected wide.The well taken corner by Marcus flew across the goal, and when it came out to Zak on the edge of the box, his super shot hit the post!
Marcus followed this up with a lovely individual mazy run and managed to get a free kick when he was cynically shot down by a sniper! :)
The game was coming to a close - and Ben went up for the kick.....somehow it deflected off his shin and only just flew wide of the post!
That just about summed up Starlands day....They had showed character , effort and a great display to the fans - but just not got their just rewards.
A great start to the new year - and Man of The Match could have gone to ALL the boys today. However, a special effort was clearly made today by Luke who showed what he can do! Keep it up everyone.
