MATCH REPORT - SELKENT LEAGUE (Spring): Petts Wood Eagles vs JR Spartans - 14th April 13 (Away)
Our sixth league game of the season saw us away to Petts Wood Eagles, on what was a lovely warm sunny day but with a blustery wind. With today's opponents topping the league, this match was going to be an interesting test for the boys. The starting line up was Ben (goalkeeper), Finlay (left back), George (right back), Lovell (left midfield), Taran (centre midfield), Kaci (right midfield & captain), William (striker) and Callum (sub).
The boys took the kick off and began really strongly with Taran, Lovell and Kaci working tirelessly in the midfield. Both George and Finlay in defense worked well together to keep the Petts Wood chances to a minimum. With 5 minutes gone the ball isn't cleared by the Petts Wood defense, Lovell pounces onto the ball and fires a shot at goal but their keeper makes a great save. Minutes later Petts Wood break down the right hand side of the pitch and unfortunately Finlay just couldn't quite clear the ball and Petts Wood strikers powers a shot at our goal which Ben saves and then smothers to stop any further danger. Our opponents go close again on the 12th minute when they hit Ben's right hand post and Ben then collected the rebounding ball. With William chasing hard every opportunity, he is given a break and Callum is brought on after 15 minutes. With 20 minutes of the half gone Petts Wood had a goal kick which went straight to Lovell. Lovell then dribbled the ball into the box and fired a powerful shot past the keeper to give us the lead (great finish Lovell). With the half time whistle approaching Finlay and George break up a Petts Wood attack the ball is played into Taran who then plays a great pass into Lovell who runs down the left hand side wing and into the box where he fires another great shot into the Petts Wood goal for a two nil lead.
Half Time Score : Petts Wood Eagles - 0, Junior Reds Spartans - 2
The second half starts with William on for Callum. Straight from the kick off, Petts Wood put us under pressure and fire a great shot at goal, which Ben saves and pushes wide only for Finlay to collect and carry the ball clear of the danger zone. Petts Wood clearly had a talking too at half time and with 5 minutes gone of the second half they had another rasping shot at goal which again Ben saves and pushes wide for a corner. All the boys continued to work hard to maintain the led and with great tackling and defending from every player we frustrate the Petts Wood strikers time after time. With 14 minutes gone Callum rejoined the action for William. The lads maintained great concentration and continued to defend strongly with George and Finlay breaking up attack after attack. With 5 minutes left Ugo comes on for Kaci at right midfield. We continue to soak up pressure from our opponents and push Petts Wood back towards their own goal. With the last minutes of the game ticking by Taran gets a chance to have a shot at goal, which their keeper saves but pushes the ball into the path of Callum who seals the victory by striking the ball into the goal (great follow up run Callum).
Full Time Score : Petts Wood Eagles - 0, Junior Reds Spartans - 3
Managers Comments: Well what can I say, another great performance from every player on the pitch. Great defending by the full backs and midfielders alike, breaking up attack after attack, particularly in the second half. Great shot stopping saves from Ben who keeps another clean sheet. Tireless running by the strikers and great wing play too on both the left and right hand flanks. This shows you what you can achieve as a team, as today you beat one of the top sides in the division. This now takes our league points tally to eight points which is two more points than we achieved in the Autumn season and we still have four league games to play. Lets keep working hard in training and I'm sure we can get 10 points or even more this season.
Thanks again goes to William for supporting with the match card. It was also great to see Shemar supporting us today.
Captain - Kaci
Man of the match - Kaci