*Thank you to Raj - Starlands guest reporter this week *
Jed's potentially out for 3 months following an excellent performance last week.
Luke Sub & no new boy Tom.
Oski's playing left back with Marcus & Zach
Ref: Kieran Scanderatt
Attendance: 45
Darwin win the toss & kick off.
A bit of confusion in the centre circle see's Darwin attacking early but Ben makes an excellent save.
Starlands push forward with numbers waiting in the box but Callum's cross doesn't quite reach them. The boys have to back track as Darwin counter attack, their number 4's off side, flag stays down, their number 11 shoots saved by Ben but falls into the path of the No 4, who shoots and scores...disallowed the ref gives an off side free kick...come on Rob...the start of things to come...?
Starlands push up again and get their 1st corner. Darwin clear just out of the area and Callum knocks it right back and their goalie makes a save.
Darwin attack again...very scrappy...Starlands attempt to clear the ball from the area but their number 11 makes sure this time, 1 nil.
From the centre kick the ball doesn't go far before Darwin gain possession and they're attacking again and this time their number 4 shoots and it's in the back of the net...2 nil.
Aran shows some good skills, takes on a couple, shoots but it's pushed out for a corner. Zach knocks it in and Callum shoots from outside the area again but it's saved again.
Marcus goes off with what appears to be a hand injury...Luke comes on. Ben P moves to defence from the wing.
Defensive errors show in the absence of Jed & Marcus, Darwin attack again and Ben K gets a knock on the head trying to make a save as the ball is literally taken from his hands by Darwin....ref plays on & it's another goal to Darwin. Ben's quick to recover and his mum shouts, 'I'll come on as a sub to replace you if you can't carry on!' Ben laughs and brushes himself off and carries on, sure and steadfast!
Half time couldn't have come sooner
2nd half, Starlands kick off, Darwin soon take the ball and shoot, hits the cross bar & a sigh of relief.
Marcus is okay and well enough to come back on, a welcome relief for the supporters & Starland players, Josh goes off, Luke moves up as does Ben P.
Still very scrappy as Starlands push up again, Aran takes on one, crosses it but to no avail, it's stopped by Darwin.
Darwin counter attack, Marcus rushes back puts pressure on the player who goes down in the area, Ref blows for a penalty. Darwin shoot and it goes well wide.
The other two goals were debatable off sides to the point where their linesman who was stood by his back 3 shouted to the boys on the attack watch the off side, you're off side, but Rob's flag stays down again...for both goals...Was Rob busy chatting...or are we just seeing to much into this??
Our boys were trying to attack but getting caught off side with both Aran & Ben P receiving excellent passes only for the ref to give a free kick. I was getting a sore throat for shouting so much trying to keep the lads on side and do the report I was glad when Ben P's mum felt sorry for me and took over the role of coach and left the tea stand for Dawn to run!
Josh's back on not sure who went off. I'm still trying to type and organise the attacking formation.
Starlands give away the ball several times after winning throw-in's for foul throws, basics, highlights issues we need to work on!
Callum has a free run, a touch too many, should have belted it earlier but chose to take on the keeper and pushed it too far wide and unable to recover.
Aran makes up ground to receive the ball in the area, takes on a player, about to shoot & Josh takes it off Aran...??? COMMUNICATION BOYS!!! It's bad enough trying to tackle the opposition let alone our own players! Darwin stop them again. Goes out for a corner, seconds to go, Kieran takes it short, to Aran who knocks it into the area but it's cleared by Darwin. Final whistle and it's all over, 5 nil, we had chances but just couldn't connect to finish it!
Lessons to be learnt.
Ben K, Rik's man of the match.
Luke Parents Man Of The Match well done both and all the boys for a gallant effort, could have been worse!
