Ise Lodge Eagles 1 - Thrapston Town Blue 1
Cold wasn’t the word for this mid morning
kick off vs Ise Lodge Eagles.
With sub zero temperatures, hard ground and stiff breeze,
it was going to be tough even before a ball was kicked. Without
top scorer Alsop, due to illness, and fellow striker Toon
on holiday, the footballing gods had not been kind to Thrapston
who were to play one of the strongest teams in the league
in Ise Lodge Eagles. This was the same team we beat in the
final of the Kettering tournament last year, again without
Alsop, so similar tactics were needed today to thwart the
Arsenal like attacking prowess that Ise Lodge have.
From the kick off, some stiff tackles were made, and Thrapston
stood firm. A break from the right of midfield saw Chandler
Abbott shoot towards goal. The Eagles keeper ( who looked
about 15 ), parried the ball away, only to the oncoming Jordan
Bateman to have an easy tap in for the opener. The Eagles
manager didn’t sound very happy ( oh dear !! ). Thrapston
had further attacks in the first half, and several corners
that came to nothing, but the majority of the play was kept
in a midfield battle dominated by Matthew King, Gardener and
Gallagher. A free kick should have been awarded to Thrapston
for an Eagles back pass, but the Referee who reacted like
Arsene Wenger “ Did not see it “. Another break
away from Ise Lodge saw Thrapston 2 vs 1 at the back, and
there was little the Thrapston keeper could do when the ball
was knocked past as he rushed out of the area to challenge.
Uphill and against the wind in the second half, the tactics
were changed slightly. A more defensive approach was taken
to nullify the skilful Eagles forwards. Wave after wave of
attack came from Ise Lodge, but the brilliance of Alex Vitue
in goal, getting something on everything, and the determination
of Sam Gallagher, Josh Scarbrow ,Chris Gardener and Jordan
Bateman in defense meant that the score was to stay the same.
Thrapston could indeed of snatched a winner near the end with
chances falling to Ben Robinson , and a quality corner from
Chandler Abbott that somehow wasn’t converted.
Man of the match today – The whole team, well played
with a good spirit.
Final Score Ise Lodge Eagles 1 – Thrapston Town Blues
1
To the Parents,
Please don’t forget the parents evening on Wednesday
Night at the Fox.
To the lads – Watch Manchester United beat AC Milan
and enjoy.
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