Match News
What can you say about the team availability this week? Shocking to say the least with only 11 players available for the biggest game of the season so far. Absentees were Darby (spittin fire somewhere - look this up on fbook if confused..) O'Brien (Geordie Land) Pierce (somehwere lost up Bergass, O'Briens or Marques' arse) Harris (popped ankle), Tille (drunk somwhere on a bender) Bergass (Geordie Land) Marques (Geordie Land) and Ticehurst (sniffles). Going into the game with no subs against top of the table should prove interesting, but the Slade are good enough to win whatever team is put out.
First Half
The instructions were, to keep the game tight for the first stages of the game, soak up the pressure and then hit them on the counter, so thats exactly what we didnt do, rather, give them a goal out of nothing in the first 10 minutes just like last year. A poor goal to conceded being flicked on at the front post, being tapped in by the 'Stars forward. 1-0 Emerald Star. Rather tahn being disrupted by this, it was the Slade who were constantly pushing for the equaliser with Stockers and Ross attempting some shots at goal, with Rossy getting slightly closer than Stockbridges shite shots (no offense). With Rich Coney always looking dangerous when through on goal against a slightly average GK the slade always had a chance. It wasn't unti lthe last exchanges of the first half that Walderslade got the deserved equalising goal. A throw by Ben Lewis found Armour who flicked the ball on for Rossy who beat the GK to the ball to make the game all sqaure. Emerald Star 1-1 Walderslade. Half Time
Second Half
The Slade carried on from where we left off as we battered Emerald Star in the second half with throw in after throw in leading to chances in the box and it was only a matter of time before the second goal would come. With every player putting in a solid shift, it was hard to fault any of the efforts of the players, however Stockers struggled with connecting with the ball when clearing, but managed to whack the ball 100 yards when the ball was going out for a throw in anyway. Dick of the day shout definitely. Armour was trying shit tricks in the middle of the field and Rob was doing his best to give the ball away and win it back, almost Sharkey like play there from Warner. Solid game for the gazelle though. With time ticking, Armour hit the bar with a header and chances were going begging but it was down to another throw in to cause the third goal of the game. Rossy threw the ball and it was headed away straight back into his path with Mitch shouting 'don't shoot' a mile away but what did Ross Boss do? He shot and the ball flew into the top corner on the half volley. Rodge went ecstatic as he normally does. Except they weren't c**** this time. 2-1 Walderslade. With 5 minutes to go, Walderslade wrapped the game up, and this is becoming a familiar pattern this year, finally clinching games rather than hanging on as we would of done last season. A Rossy throw in found Armours head who flicked it on to Coney who headed against the bar from 5 yards out and the ball found Rodger who....smashed the bar from 3 yards out...only to hit the GK and bounce in...OG? definitely.At least Rodge werent offside this time. Full Time. Emerald Star 1-3 Walderslade
Match Analysis
What a way to win, a solid, if unspectacular performance, we done what we had to do with many key players missing and the bare 11 out on the pitch. Special mentions to Warner at the back with Brown, solid. Sammy B contained their lively winger excellently, taking him out of the game. Lewis was his usual self bombing down the pitch. Coney and Ross were superb up front, taking on different responsibilities to help the cause. Great team performance. Same again next week against Insanity, which will be a tricky game. Lets stay top and go 3 points clear. Cannot wait for Lee Sharkey Pierce to return, its hard only having Stockbridge to cane in the report.
Up the Blue Boys, SladeSladeSlade, Number 1 in Div 2 and there to stay!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
