Today’s game saw us take on St Josephs’ the current league leaders, in a clash we have looked forward to for weeks. We arrived in good form, high in confidence, with a determined set of players.
This was our most important game of the season so far, but unfortunately we got off to a bad start by one of the managers (Mark) forgetting to advise his leading scorer what time we were meeting, after half an hour of panicking, and Kieran stepping into the first team (and what a fantastic job he did, bagging 2 goals) we finally contacted John, who raced Eugene down the M62 to make the second game – Phew, sorry Eugene!!
The first game kicked off with our parents in good voice (hung-over!!) and cheered the lads on to a comprehensive victory – quite honestly we were never in any danger from the first minute to the last. Excellent football, which was a joy to watch. Kieran – 2 goals with Nathan getting the 3rd. Matthew had an assist in 2 of the goals, and Andy terrorised the other team all the game. Man of the match was Charlie, who was given a task before the game of marking their dangerous centre forward, who basically was never given a kick – and definitely glad to see the back of Charlie at the end of the game. As for Oliver, he was defence and midfield rolled into one, floating between the two – not bad for somebody not feeling so well – Well done Oliver, it was noticed. James, excellent as always, and nice to hear you talking to the players and taking charge!!
So, on to the second game, and what a cracker!! Management, parents, supporters, dogs and kids were drained by the end of this game, and if you weren’t, then what were you watching!! The team kicked off, and really, we seemed to start quite slowly, gifting St Joseph’s their first 2 goals, but if ever a side showed courage and determination, and a refusal to lose, then today our side did just that. 1:0 down, Eugene set off on one of his scorching runs, and we all know the end result, Eugene shoots, he scores – 1:1 – St Josephs took the lead again – Half time 2:1. Louis entered the fray at half time and we seemed to step up another gear, and we soon equalized again with Ryan scoring from a free kick, smashing it into the top corner from outside the box. The crowd went wild…………….2:2…. But would you believe it, St Joseph’s first attack, for probably 15 minutes, scored to go 3:2 up again – with a minute left. We kicked off, the ball fell to Ben, who then set off like a man possessed, beat 3 defenders, and then unleashed a rocket that nearly took the net off the goal to delirious scenes from players and parents alike 3:3 Full time. Special mention to Eugene, who beggared belief, and I don’t know how he only managed to score the 1 goal with attempt after attempt – astounding!! Also to Sam at the back, who never lost a tackle all day and to the Man of the Match Alan, who made 2 breathtaking saves – brave as a lion – keep it up!
Plus, just as an extra comment, Mark would like to apologise for his snotty, stroppy behaviour – You know how he lives and breathes football, but if you do arrive late, then what more can you expect!!! (JANINE!!)