Our first game of the season, against a newly-merged team, on a hastily-marked out pitch (complete with grass cuttings still covering it), in extremely blustery conditions, and without key players at the last minute, was always going to be a challenge. We were stifled as we came out of the box in the opening few minutes, first by a strong wind, and then by their two large forwards. While we started to get our passing back together after some masterful tackling by James and Matthew, the ball was carried into our goalmouth and a scramble ensued. It looked like a handball, but somehow Josh was adjudged to have fouled their large forward and a penalty was awarded. Sam managed to get his fingers to the ball but it slipped into the corner away from him. 1-0 down. Heads dropped for a while and too many of our team were still discussing the award of the penalty whilst Weekley launched wave after wave of attacks, pinning us back but for some hard tackling by Bailey and some masterful defending by Luke. Sam then was penalised for stepping outside of his area and a free-kick was award just in front of the goal. A cracking shot looked goal-bound but for some great goal-keeping by Sam.

Josh then began linking up with Thomas, who used his skills to turn and deftly deliver the ball down to Alex who started some very fast attacks. Jack held firm in defensive midfield-protecting the back four, as did Matthew, who held them brilliantly tight. Harry relished his left-side role and he delivered ball after ball down the line, skipping by Weekley players with ease. Lucaas began some very neat wing runs and we finally threatened their goal more consistently, with Alex, James and Thomas all going close before half-time. The hard tackling by Weekley took it's toll on our team, without any subs due to a last-minute illness, and tired legs set in very quickly, as player after player was brought down in crunching collisions. All bravely carried on, and as the minutes ticked away, we asserted control of the game at last, and Weekley could only hope to catch us on the counterattack. Lucaas and Alex came closest, with Harry, Thomas and James all trying their luck from distance. The back line held fairly comfortably, and by the time the referee looked at his watch, we had 10 players in their goalmouth and 3 corners in 60 seconds. Sadly, the ball went everywhere except the goal and so we start the campaign with a loss. All due credit to Weekley, but it's no disgrace to go down to a controversial penalty alone. We should have converted our chances and I have no doubt that we will, next week. We can take a lot of pride from today's performance-well done!

 

Man of the Match-There was no doubt who really performed today-a player who has never played a competitive league game before, and yet stifled their attackers time after time-Luke Jeeves.  

 

Thanks yet again to the wonderful parents for their unyielding support, James for his help and for being linesman, and to the players for showing that Gold spirit once again.

 

Dave