Thrapston Town Gold 5 v Desborough Town
0
Desborough came out of the blocks faster than us today, and drove straight at our goal, for some very close chances in the first few minutes. Our new defensive shape was severely tested and Sam kept us in the game with some very confident saves. Playing against a very strong wind again shortened the length of our play and our midfield was in danger of being overrun at times. This was frustrating for the team and it showed as we lost our width with everyone playing to support each other down the middle of the park. Matt, as today's captain, kept our lines clean, ably assisted by Jack filling in as right back, Luke with his brave challenges, and Harry C deftly holding the left line. After a few near misses, we slowly regained our shape as Harry R returned to the left and Josh started to win some very hard challenges. This freed up Alex and Liam to roam forward and both had some very close chances as the minutes ticked away in the half. After a brave save by Desborough, Gold won a corner and Harry R stepped up to the mark. He had the foresight to play a clever short ball to Lucaas, who then weaved his way through the Desborough defence, and catching them unawares, buried a rocket in the back of the net. This immediately lifted the team as the whistle blew for half-time.
As the second half began, we were still buoyed by the goal and played straight at them, without fear. Some close shots by Alex and Harry R gave everyone the impetus to push forward, supporting each other. This resulted in some very tough tackling by Desborough, whose strikers really tried to rush at our defence, and came close more than once. However, we held firm and proved we could play just as well on the counter-attack, with Alex weaving in and out, causing Desborough all sorts of problems with Liam. Within seconds, Alex found Harry R who produced a sweetly-placed goal into the corner. As expected, Desborough charged at us again from the kick-off, but could not overrun us. Owen came on for Jack, and James for Sam. Seeing that change, Desborough tried to feed the attack on the far side, but Owen held his own, disposing of their attacks easily. We played some very neat passing movements, and the ball was suddenly on our left wing with some neat interplay between Harry C and Alex, resulting in the ball falling to Lucaas, whose second goal took a slight deflection on it's way in. The Gold team, for the first time this season, could now taste victory with some 20 minutes left to play.
Our shape became a little disjointed again as Lucaas took a hard knock from behind, and everyone wanted to push up to score. This caused a few scares as Desborough became determined to get something from the match. Ben came on for Owen for the last 15 minutes and again Desborough were frustrated by a novice right-back as he refused to let anyone get by him. Ben actually got the touch for us to launch an attack on the right, which was gathered by Tom, who deftly moved the ball through their midfield and over to the left side, where Harry R surged forward, with Alex in sight and on for goal. However, Harry saw the opportunity, and benefiting from a prevailing wind, launched an unstoppable and spectacular curling shot which just left the Desborough goalkeeper reaching for empty air as it sailed into the beckoning net. Yet again Desborough came straight back at us, determined at least to gain a consolation as the minutes ticked by. However, we won the ball easily, and Alex, Harry and Liam worked together with Tom to lay Liam on for goal, which he did-only for it to be ruled offside. However, within a minute, exactly the same move worked again, and this time Liam made sure of his debut goal-a just reward for his hard work with Alex up front. James had to work very hard in the dying minutes to make sure we kept a clean sheet-but he did, and we walked off the pitch as we should do-as worthy winners.
Some great play from every player today-it was no means as easy as the score-line suggests, but we earned every one of those goals. Well done-the Gold spirit is alive and well!
Man of the match-For the first time ever, none of the coaches could single out one player as the sole winner. For this week only, it is awarded to every single player.
Thanks to all the parents, as usual, for their fantastic support, and to Raunds Manor for keeping the pitch in good order and set up for us.
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