Today we found ourselves unexpectedly without our two strikers and a star defender on a very cold and icy morning. This makeshift system was always going to struggle against the tight formations of Ise Lodge Eagles. This confusion was apparent when we went behind thanks to our defence letting the Eagles virtually walk the ball in after only 2 minutes. 2 minutes later and Ethan uncharacteristically fumbled the ball and it somehow dropped just over the line (a vote for goal-line technology!).

    We then started to put some very good moves together and everybody moved up with Thomas passing the ball through to Lucaas after James won it in midfield. The ball was claimed back in a hard tackle and we were caught out as Harry struggled to contain the attackers as they passed the ball around him and slotted home their third on 23 minutes. In the sixth minute of extra time, the Eagles somehow dropped a ball right over everyone's head and it was tapped in. Finally the half-time whistle blew after a disappointing first half.

    A quick analysis and pep talk before we resumed seemed to work and Gold came out of the starting blocks at a blistering pace with 2 excellent attacks within the first 2 minutes. Lewis seemed to be everywhere on the pitch, combining so well with James as we started to break their defence down. The pass from Thomas was taken by Lucaas for his usual foray up the pitch when he was hacked down outside their penalty box. The resulting free kick was taken and driven into their area, only to be knocked back up but this time were ready and our defence held tight, repelling the attack. Unfortunately for us, as the ball was held in midfield, their right-back took the ball and had a "match of the day moment", launching the ball from just past the halfway line right over into the top right hand corner of the goal.  

    Thomas had to be replaced after a crunching tackle and George came on for his second time in two weeks and was thrown straight into defensive action with Harry and Jordan bravely keeping wave after wave at bay. We were fast tiring now and their sixth was a simple mistake, professionally taken and converted. We somehow gained the energy to retain the ball for most of the remaining half and the extra time, but unable to convert without any real strikers up front.

    Their manager made a point of coming over to congratulate members of our team, pointing them out to me and remarking how much we've come on, even in our depleted form this week. We didn't win, but the second half was 10 times better than the first and definitely better than the first time we played Ise Lodge-well done everyone.

Man of the Match- Lewis-very hard this week as three players were in the frame. Lewis, however, was everywhere, playing for every ball and back-tracking as fast as he moved up front. A display to be proud of!