Under 10 Blue Match Report

THrapston Town Blue 1 - Ise Lodge Eagles 1

“Here in my pocket, I’ve got the story of the blues, try to look believe me cos it could be front page news.” Pete Wylie, 1982.

Indeed, this was the story of the blues, who bounced back from last week’s defeat and a poor performance in style today at the Kettering Coliseum (Stuart Hall reference especially for Ged.)

Thrapston, strident and angry after tame defeat last week were looking for revenge, but it was with some trepidation, nay perturbation that they took the field against one of the strongest sides around, who themselves were looking to avenge their defeat by Thrapston in the final of the recent Generals Tournament. The Eagles had managed 23 goals without reply in their first two matches of the season, so all set then for a battle of gargantuan proportions; would the game live up to its billing? We would soon find out.

So with instructions and encouragement Thrapston took the field; three or four coiled springs in the engine room looked ready to unwind and consign last week to memory, where the blues had been more Trabant than Mercedes, and definitely more Prat than Witney. This was to turn out to be a Rolls Royce performance.

The first half was really all Thrapston, Tom Alsop led the line well and, but for some fine goalkeeping could have notched a first half hat-trick. The midfield of Sam Gallagher, Liam Toon, Jordan Bateman and Harvey Chandler-Abbott supported play well, and both Toon and Chandler Abbott had close range chances to score that went begging before the break.

Then, with 5 minutes of the half remaining, the otherwise steadfast and resolute defensive pairing of Josh Scarbrow and Chris Gardiner failed to clear a bouncing ball in the box and the eagles dared to score, Broadsword to Danny boy - one nil.

The second half saw the Town rotate their midfield with canny substitutions, designed to keep the players refreshed and hardworking. This seemed to be working, as the Town asserted their authority once more, although Goalkeeper Alex Vitue was called upon to make a couple of fine saves.

Man of the Match Alsop tormented, teased, tricked and terrorised the eagle’s defence orchestrating a torrent of tumultuous attacking moves sometimes going alone, sometimes linking the play, and creating chances for others. Then halfway through the half, Bateman ran well with the ball from half way, he passed to Alsop, who beat his man, cut inside and then instead of shooting, laid the ball sumptuously inside for Chandler Abbott to level the scores, one, one.

The rest of the game saw some half chances at both ends, and although the general consensus of the crowd was that the referee had played a blinder, allowing the game to flow, he did miss what looked like a penalty for handball for Thrapston, which would surely have closed out the win.

At the end of the game, a fair result, with eight “men of the match” really and one which shows that the only thing Thrapston have to fear, is fear itself, as that well known football pundit Franklin D Roosevelt once said.