This game was always going to be a tough test for our boys, a cup draw away from home against a division B team, also on the day things got even worse as we only had 10 men due to losing Alex Bingham and Max and to top it all off 2 of the boys we had weren’t feeling too good.

It was an early start and from the kick-off some still looked a little sleepy and we almost conceded in the first couple of minuets and had to rely on Toby to be alert.

The game took a pattern of us rushing our passes and not holding on to the ball to keep our possession and eventually loosing possession resulted in Heron Olympic taking a fine chance to put themselves 1-0 up, from this we battled hard to get back in the game and did have a couple of reasonable chances to equalize, it really did look like we were going into the half 1-0 down but unfortunately we conceded another after a bit of a mix up at the back, so we in at the break 2-0 down.

The half time team talk was one where I was trying to tell the boys it was not all over and if we could get the next goal there was a good possibility the opposition would doubt their own ability due to their run of poor form and concede further goals and then who knows? it was a cup game and the would be extra time and penalty’s if needed.

So we kicked off the second half, the boys seems to have that bit more fight and Adam really stepped up his  performance and encouraged others to do so, early in the half William passed a lovely ball down the line to Adam who then showed great strength to shrug off challenges and run the ball further down the line and then to whip in a great ball which Freddie meet with his head to make it 2-1, from the kick-off we were off again on the attack with Freddie having good strength in the box to hold on to the ball before laying off to Adam to net the second goal and drawing us level at 2-2.

We kept the impetus going with Adam just missing from a free kick but wasn’t too much longer before Freddie got his second with a nicely struck shot form an Adam pass and not long after that Freddie got his hattrick scoring again with his head from a Josh free kick.

So 4-2 up and we seemed to be cruising to the win when we unfortunately conceded the third goal, another messy goal which just crept in after a scramble and hitting the post.

Then as the game neared it’s end we were on the attack again when a fine ball was delivered from the left by Adam into the box which was well taken by Josh.

On the day the performance of the team was superb they never let their heads drop despite all the earlier mentioned problems, I really want to thank the team for the way they all pulled together to get this victory, in addition to the above highlights I would like to make special mentions to the following:

Jon, his first full game for us and I felt as the game progressed so did his performance, his strength was excellent and made some great clearances just when they were needed.

Freddie, worked really hard to get his 3 goals and did well to hold on to the ball whilst others could be brought into attack to help and was also great to see his pass back to Adam for the second goal.

Toby, for 2 great saves in the first half which without these the end result could have been so much different.

William, he took a heavy challenge in the first half and I was fearing playing with 9 boys, but he ran it off and had a great second half performance making the telling passes which got Adam on his way many times.

Ben Tyler, he played with great composure for the whole game and particularly in the first half when it was really noticeable, there were times when the team were too rushed when making their passes but Ben always looked to make and complete the pass and this is such a great asset to half in situations like this when we are under pressure.

Jack, again he was another player which played well in both halves his commitment to keep working hard and breaking up the oppositions game, this too is a great asset and in the depths of the second half it was noticeable when he was back there with the defence winning the ball breaking up the opposition attacks and making sure we went on to win the game.

Adam, my man of the match on the day for his second half performance he took the game by the scruff of the neck and led by example a great captain’s performance.


Goals.
Heron Goal
Heron Goal
HT 2-0 down

Freddie
Adam
Freddie
Freddie
Heron Goal
Josh
FT 3-5 Saint Hill Blues Win



Well done all of you for your hard work and a well deserved win.


Thanks to all parents for their support too.