Today saw us waiting to finish our first season as an eleven-a-side team, ready to focus on next season's challenge, and Ise Lodge Kites waiting to be crowned League Champions. It was probably a forgone conclusion as to who wanted the win more. A few players came today tired and were not prepared to play out of position, as we had to make up for last-minute absences. Miles started for the first time as RB, Josh and Luke as CB, Harry R as LB, Tom as DM, Harry C LW, Marcus CM, Thomas CM, Lucaas RW, Liam lone striker.

    Ise Lodge tore at us right out of the starting blocks and one of their star players, Cameron, unmarked, delivered a delightful lob right into the roof of the net-there was nothing Sam could do. In the next 4 minutes, due to slowed reactions by a couple of key players, Ise Lodge added two more. 5 minutes gone, and 3-0 down. Very disappointing, and heads soon dropped. For the next 15 minutes we then held our own, but missed many opportunities to push forward and score. We had throw after throw, and corner after corner, but somehow their toes reached the ball before ours and they were soon running the midfield again. 3 more goals duly followed, despite Sam's lone heroics. Too many of our players were caught out of position as Ise Lodge played as a tight unit. We went in at half-time 6-0 down-our worst result at this point-ever.

    The second half saw us revert to James as DM, Lucaas as RB, Josh and Luke CB, Harry C LB, Harry R RW, Marcus and Tom CM, and Thomas and Liam as Strikers. This saw us tighten up just after they managed a very silly goal in the opening minutes-we got caught watching the ball again. Once the pack was shuffled, though, it came together at last as the sun tried to poke it's head through the clouds. We had a number of great chances from the right as Lucaas drove forward and linked with Marcus and Thomas-one in particular saw 4 of our players miss the same ball in front of their goal. We then repeated it two minutes later for those that missed the first one. It seemed like an inaction replay. However, there was light somewhere, and it was about to arrive. James dropped to RB as Lucaas was pushed forward. Harry R then skilfully took the ball from a mis-kick (ironically how we had conceded in the first half), and drove the ball goal-ward-it looked to have beaten the keeper and was about to cross the goal-line when Lucaas came and made sure-technically his goal, but perhaps morally Harry's. It didn't matter, really, as Harry came on another surging run-fed by Thomas and Harry C, and this time he made sure no-one could claim his goal-it the goalkeeper stranded and slotted home nicely. Their next goal was an indication of our luck-Sam's kick hit a bobble on the pitch and bounced straight at their two star attackers, who almost argued about who would tap it in. This made Ise Lodge call for "five more", and our lads work that much harder. Seconds later, in a valiant defensive move, James was injured in a collision, and Miles came back on. Harry C came over and gave both sides of defence and midfield a hand, and helped drive the ball on until marcus picked up the ball yet again and worked his space well. This time he was not taken down in a tackle and his superb lob was a real Match of The Day moment, as it sailed past their keeper. We now really stepped up a gear and were playing tremendous passing football when the whistle blew. 8-3.

    We may have lost this game in the first half-if we had played like we did in the second half, we really would have beaten this team. Tiredness, too much sugar, whatever the reason-we did not play anything like we can in the first half. We did in the second half. We had no-one to deliver the long balls in the first half due to absences, and I feel that we missed that. No excuses, however-Ise Lodge are now League Champions-in-waiting, and deservedly so. I just can't help feeling that it could have been us today.

   

 Man of the Match-it had to go to Harry C today-his work-rate and adaptability at two very different positions, together with his positive attitude, was exactly what we needed.

 

My personal thanks to all our parents and friends, James for running the line, Arden for helping with the team, our sponsors, our hosts Ise Lodge, Graham for reffing, and our opposition.

 

Congratulations to Ise Lodge Kites, if, as expected, they now formally clinch the title-well done-and we'll be up there with you next season!