Starlands at home V Chase Town Tuesday 28th 6:30 KO
MATCH REPORT by Raj Bagry Roving Dual Reporter.
Last match of the season. On what seemed like a nice sunny spring evening but turned out to be a chilly and windy one - out come the winter hats, coats, scarves and gloves.
Again another good turnout, full squad and 3 subs which is looking good for 11 a side next season.
The starting nine: Ben in goal, Aran in his now preferred and established role of centre back, Azza left back, Kieran right back, Josh left wing, Marcus right wing, Callum and Luke in mid field and Oski upfront
Subs Nick, Guv and Reece.
Starlands with the toss and stay, kicking with the wind behind them.
Starlands apply the pressure from start, win the ball and pushing the ball deep into their half. There was good passing and skills from the Starlands players - each one of them giving 100%
15 mins in and Azza is off and Nick comes on - the crowd look on, a bit confused and hope it's not an injury & all is well. Glad to report all was well and it maybe due to this being the last game of the season, Rik's finally giving all the subs a fair amount of match time??? That'll be a first.
Chance after chance for Starlands is foiled and cleared. Starlands get corner after corner but again the ball is cleared.
Marcus tries a repeat of the 'Beckham' style goal and takes a shot from the half way line - only for it to be punched out confidently by the keeper - Ben look out LOL
Aran holding the line well in defence and making up lost ground for Kieran, running the width of the line and foiling the attacks and forcing off side time after time.
Starlands get another corner, cleared and Chase Town attack, pushing it wide, using the width of the pitch, crossing it in at just the right time and despite Ben doing his best to come out for a challenge it was comfortably put in the back of the net - 1 nil to Chase Town.
Starlands start again and apply the pressure, Oski crosses it into the box, Josh bows for a header but misses and it's collected by their keeper.
This Chase Town team doesn't seem the same as the team they played against recently - the little No 7 causing all sorts of problems all over the pitch for every Starlands player and the No 11 who Aran smacked the ball against seem to be the only familiar faces others not playing as they did before - despite this the are still 1 nil ahead as we reach half time.
2nd half Guv and Reese on, Oski and Kieran off. Chase Town kick off again, the boys shout to the ref who dismisses them and let's the game continue.
This doesn't deter Starlands who keep applying the pressure to no avail, time after time.
45mins Josh off Guv off and Kieran back on and Oski back on. An excellent run by Marcus from his own half takes on several players including their No 7 who was still causing problems, Oski and Kieran are poised in the box, unmarked and screaming for the ball the crowd shouting SHOOOOOTTTTT but Marcus' last touch is a bit too heavy and falls nicely for their keeper who collects it no problem.
The balls pushed up and somehow gets past the players and Ben it's now 2 nil to the visitors.
Final few minutes and Luke takes a smack in his face and indicates to Rik to come off. Azza back on. Luke's okay. Starlands win yet another corner and Aran confidently tells all the players to push up - he's got the back covered - which he did.
Final score 2 nil to Chase Town but an excellent performance by all. Marcus receives Rik's man of the match - deservedly so.
Luke wins the penalty shoot out pipping Marcus in the final shots.
(Ben did score a penalty past Callum but settled for the Ferrero Rocher and a spin on Deano's Quad bike)
Training, friendlies & Tournaments TBC - check with Rik.
Award evening on the 6th of June in Aldridge The Compass Suite, by the cricket club.
