MATCH REPORT - SELKENT LEAGUE 13-14 (Autumn): FCSD (Green) vs JR Spartans 22nd Sept 13
We saw our second fixture of the Autumn season away to FC Sutton Dynamo (Green). This squad of players were formally Titan Tigers and moved across to Sutton Dynamo in the summer. Last season we beat this team twice, so hopes were high of a 100% percent record.
With Ben unfortunately injured, following a fall in training the previous week, our starting line up was as following :- Jack (Goalkeeper), Shemar, Finlay, Taran, George (cpt), Lovell and Alfie. The boys looked stretched in defence as our oppenents showed some excellent passing, pushing the ball out wide to the wings. This often left a player free in the penalty box. With only 5 minutes on the clock, a cross was put into our box from the Sutton Dynamo right. There followed a bit of a goal mouth scramble from which the ball was poked home from close range, giving Jack little chance of stopping the goal (very unlucky Jack). We seemed to remain unsettled, as FCSD kept pressuring our goal with Shemar, Finlay, Taran and Jack stopping the opposition each time. However the boys were disheartened and following a great break down the left by Lovell, he played a great pass into Alfie who slotted the ball home from just inside the box. (Great strike Alfie). The goal lifted the boys and the game became more evenly balanced with George and Lovell winning several corners. Late on in the first half we were awarded a free kick from which Finlay rattled the cross bar only for the ball to be cleared to safety by their defence.
Half Time score: FC Sutton Dynamo (Green) - 1, Junior Reds Spartans - 1
As ever to ensue that everyone got a chance to play, some changes were made for the start of the second half. William replaced George, Callum replaced Alfie and Kaci came on for Shemar. The boys were told to be careful in defence and ensure players were marked. The midfield were also asked to help out in defence as much as possible. The second half started well and both sides had their chances. Callum linked well with Lovell and William but we couldn't find that all important second goal. With 17 minutes of the half gone our oppenents took a quick throw in on the right and somehow the ball was poked into our goal from close range. The boys battled hard to get back into the game. Kaci, Finlay, Taran and Jack continued to work tirelessly in defence. Taran made way for George to return to the action part way through the half. Alfie also rejoined the game to give Lovell a rest. Despite the changes we unfortunately could get that elusive goal.
Full Time score: FC Sutton Dynamo (Green) - 1, Junior Reds Spartans - 1
Managers Comments: This was a well fought game and very close. All in all I felt a draw would have been a fair result, but that's football. I was particularly plesaed for Jack you had a good game in goal despite the score line and would like to thank him personally for standing in for the team. I thought there were some good performances by several members of the squad. We need to continue working on our passing and giving each other options. We aren't a team that just kicks the ball up the field and we need to build on that. Possession is a large part of football. Well done boys this puts us in third position in the league. A big thank you goes to Sukh for sorting out the match card.
Captain – George
Man of the match - Finlay