This mornings match was nearly a few players short - after a text message only came thru at 9am informing us of a 10'oclock kick off!
So, after the morning panic...the rush ...and speedy journey - Starlands had a full team.
Poor Jed - was looking a bit ill - and he did the sensible thing - deciding to return home to bed.
The game started in a lively fashion - with Starlands having plenty of the ball - and squandering a couple of early open chances,,,,would they live to regret this?...
Josh had a double chance and whilst he should have burried the first chance - the goalkeeper made a good recovery save for the rebound.
The jets had a couple of breaks - but Marcus was back to his best making some timely tackles and interceptions. However, Marcus seemed to set an unerving trend....at least 4 of the other lads were guilty of watching too much strictly come dancing and started jumping up into the tackle and spinning around??!!!&**!!! 7'un....shouted Len Goodman.
* A BAD HABIT THAT MUST STOP !!!!* Callum , Aran , Josh , Ben P ...and nearly Ben K !?? We will be watching! :)
Zak had a cheeky shot from half way - which wasnt too far away...
Elford were not afraid to use their elbows or shoulder barge - sometime a little too enthusiastically, and went for man not ball. However, the ref let it go - and our boys battled on.
The Elford no. 5 made an off the ball challenge on Ben K - and the little no. 9 flew in on a couple of ocassions...all went unpunished....and too be fair it was only the supporters that seemed upset....We're so protective!?
Following an offside ?Ben K took the free kick to Kieran who turned and played the ball to Aran who in turn fed Oscar - who played it thru to Callum - only one result...Goal!!!! and 1-0
Oscar was involved in a potentially nasty incident.None of it his fault - a cross resulted in Oski challenging for a ball unaware of the lively Elford keeper popping up infront - and scuffing his head. Their keeper went down - and rolled around and around and around more than some of our kids move in an entire match - fortunately he was fine with no injury - and the game continued.
The first half finished and the starlands boys were holding their own. Ben P was back in defence was doing well and with Zak both were supporting Marcus.
Oscar and Callum were linking well - and Kieran was battling well and making a nuisance of himself. Aran and Josh were trying their best - both just needed to shoot a little earlier or speed up the passing,...but the signs were encouraging,..and their efforts to track back were going to be needed,
Fresh legs in the second half - came when Luke replaced Kieran. Luke looked good on the ball , and showed some nice passing through to Callum - and good skills on the bal. At one point he looked like he was going to go on a solo run and get a goal,but was thwarted just as he was about to pull the trigger! :(
A Zak corner - dropped to Josh after a scramble...who somehow burried it...2-0 and breathing space, A certain forward who will remain nameless - is trying to claim an assist - As far as the match reporter is concerned if your dad is willing to pay £5 for assists too?....you can have it :)
The third came from a defensive corner - Marcus cleared to Oscar who passed to Callum - the writing was on the wall, but from nowhere the Elford defender pounced and smashed the ball away from Callum - unfortunately past his own keeper... 3-0 , surely it was all over?...
Credit to Elford - they kept going - and like in the Cup, they went straight back up the other end to make it 3-1.
Then they made it 3-2 after the referee gave a shoulder barge that didn't even compare to those the Starlands Boys had suffered, From the resulting free kick - we failed to clear and it was game on , and a very nervy last 10 minutes,
The Jets Manager cried out for a couple of penalties late on,,, the first Zak swung a leg and missed the winger.He skipped around Zak and then dived forward?...bizarre?...but out of the box regardless,
The second incident - the elford striker was bearing down on goal. Ben K having learnt from earlier quickly came off his line and connected with the ball - also taking the player afterwards,,,, great save and cleared the danger. The striker went down,,,and from the bench the shout PENALTY !!! went up. The referee - waved play on , and so justice for earlier was done.
The end of the game came - with Elford looking the more threatening - but who cares?!....the boys had done the business...and finally beaten The Jets.
Managers player was given to Marcus - and the Parents Player Award was given to Josh ( with Deano having the deciding vote!)
WELL DONE BOYS - 1ST WIN OF THE SEASON.
