Result – SHB -1     Ifield Youth – 0

Match Report

So often all the hard work and effort in training is forgotten on the day, however for the first half hour Saints passed the ball quickly, accurately and precisely causing the opposition trouble in all areas of the field, although not being able to find the vital finishing touch to secure an opening goal. Indeed it was quite the opposite which gave the Saints the lead when Morley embarked on one of his cavalier runs from his own half which ended with him thundering the ball into the oppositions net. The end of the second half produced a more lack lustre display with Saints failing to continue their early good start and indeed Ifield did have a couple of good chances which they failed to convert.

Half time saw Saints re group, with the realisation that the game was far from over, and indeed the second half produced very little quality football from either team, and on the heavy pitch there were casualties on both sides (with two Ifield players taken to casualty), another retiring injured, and both Ruxton and MacRae having to leave the field through severe cramp. It must be said however, regardless of this, the game was played in great spirit, with hardly any fouls committed by either team. At the end of the day though Saints sealed the result with a gutsy second half performance with everyone contributing, regardless of whether they played the whole or only part of the match.

It would be unfair to pick out individuals, in what was as I say and all round team performance, however Morley and his band of defenders, probably need a special mention for a controlled, confident and at times almost effortless defending.

Well done to everyone though – a very hard earned three points and I am sure there will be some aching bodies tomorrow -  still it looks like we can all look forward to a nice trip to the seaside next weekend – see you Thursday