MATCH REPORT - SELKENT LEAGUE 13-14 (Autumn): JR Spartans vs Danson White 24th Nov 13
Our last game of the season saw us at home to Danson White. With our unbeated home record still in tack the boys really had something to prove today. We also welcomed our new goal keeper Jake to the squad for his debut game for the Spartans. With a full strength squad, we started the match with the following line up - Jake (GK), Shemar, Finlay, Taran, Jack, Lovell (cpt) and Callum. From the kick off the boys looked very confident and there were great flowing passing moves from every area of the pitch. Callum, Lovell and Jack put lots of pressure on the Danson goal but their tall keeper continued to pull off save after save. Following a pass from Taran deep in our own half, Jack put a brilliant ball through for Callum on the right. Callum ran onto the ball and fired a powerful shot that just wide into the side netting. Shortly afterwards Jake stopped a Danson attack and rolled the ball wide to Finlay. Finlay passed the ball along the left hand wing to Lovell who in turn put a great pass into Callum. Callum's fierce shot was saved by their keeper, only for Lovell to follow up on the spilled ball, but their keeper recovered to smoother the ball at Lovells feet. With the boys pushing on hard Taran on several occasions gathered the poorly cleared ball on the edge of the Danson box and had several long range shots at our oppenents goal. Our defence and goal keeper were also called into action at times, but Shemar and Finlay made sure that very little made it through to our goal. They along with Taran dealt with the long goal kicks from the Danson keeper and watched closely what could have been a very dangerous bounce. On the rare occasion Danson did threaten our goal Jake was there to gather the ball safely in his hands or dive bravely at an attackers feet. With our continual pressure and brilliant possesion, a goal was sure to come and after 15 mins a crossed ball by Jack was deflected into the Danson goal by their number 3. Shortly afterward Finlay was hit in the face and had to leave the pitch with a nose bleed and was replaced by George at left back. The boys continued to play really well and with the end of the first half approaching the boys finally got their reward with a goal from Callum to give us a two goal lead.
Half Time Score : JR Spartans - 2, Danson White - 0
At half time the boys were told to keep the pressure on the opposition and mantain concentration. The second half started, as always, with some changes. Alfie came on for Lovell, Kaci came on for Shemar, William replaced Callum, Ben came on for Taran. Despite the number of changes the boys retained the momentum they had in the first half. Alfie, William and Ben all worked tirelessly and worked hard not only in attack but also droping back to help out in defence when required. Our third goal was another great inter linking passing move from defence. George played the ball into Jack, Jack into Alfie , Alfie then fired in a powerful low cross which Ben got his foot too, to guide the ball home. With Finlay recovered George made way for him to rejoin the action. Kaci remained solid in defence and as always stopped Danson breaking down the right hand wing. WIth the Danson keepers' drop kicks landing deep into our half the defence dealt with them well. On occacsions they were so long Jake commanded his penalty box and gathered them up. However at times these kicks did cause us problems and at one point Jake made a fantastic save when their striker had a clear chance on our goal. The boys weren't done though and from a short corner between Alfie and Finlay, Finly played in Alfie tight on the line. Alfie fired in a powerful shot which deflected off the keeper for ur fourth goal. Chances also fell to William, Finlay and Jack but we couldn't extend our scoreline.
Full Time Score : JR Spartans - 4, Danson White - 0
Managers comment :- A brilliant performance from every player in all areas of the team. I was so plesaed and proud of the whole squad particularly the flowing passing movement right from Jake through the defenders into midfield and attack. This produced chance after chance which was great football to watch. Also a great debute for our new keeper Jake. This perforamce means we are unbeaten at home which is a great record. We also finish the Autumn season with twelve points. This could (depending on other results) see us finish second in the league, which may mean we get promoted (but we will have to see what happens to South Darenth in their last game as they could also finish on twelve points). Well done boys keep up the training and working hard and we will progress.
A big thank you to William for refeereing the game, Sukh for doing the match card and all the parents that assisted with putting the goals away after todays game. Thank you everyone.
Captain: Lovell
Man of the Match: Lovell