MATCH REPORT - SELKENT LEAGUE (Spring): JR Spartans vs Sutton Dynamo Blue - 3rd Mar 13 (Home)
Our fourth game of the Spring season saw us back at our home ground, against a newly formed Sutton Dynamo Blue squad. We hadn't played this squad before, but looking at their results to date, my initial expectation was that this was a game we could win.
We started really well with Ben in goal, Kaci (captain) and George having little to do in defense. The midfield trio of William, Taran and Lovell were working hard providing opportunities to Jack who was having a rare outing as a striker. With 5 minutes of the first half gone Lovell took the ball down the left hand wing and put a great cross into the box which Jack picked up and slotted the ball home for our opening goal (great play lads). Minutes later William had a good run down the right hand wing and fired a shot at goal which got deflected for a corner. 15 minutes into half saw the boys really controlling the game. Ben, Kaci & George had very little to do and when they were called into action, they dealt with any danger easily. On 18 minutes Lovell had another run down the left hand wing and drilled a great shot at the Sutton Dynamo goal, only for their keeper to make a great save and push it around his right hand post. Shortly after Ben went to take a goal kick and got caught up in the goal net and twists his ankle. Kaci went in to goal and Finlay came on as left back while Ben recovered. With the last minutes of the half ticking down Ben rejoined the game in goal and Finlay came off. However the changes appeared to unsettle the squad slightly and just after Sutton Dynamo attacked our goal down the right hand side, George cleared the ball, but it was collected by the opposition and they score from the resulting shot. With almost the last kick of the half, our opponents drove straight through the middle of the park and fired a powerful shot at our goal which fortunately flew over Ben's crossbar.
Half Time Score: Junior Reds Spartans - 1, FC Sutton Dynamo - 1
The second half starts with our patient subs joining the game. Finlay on for George at left back, Ugo on for William at right midfield and Callum on for Jack as striker. With Sutton Dynamo scoring just before the break they started the half full of confidence and within the first minutes of the half, had a rasping shot from inside our penalty area which Ben brilliantly saved and pushed onto his right hand post and out for a corner (great save Ben). 7 minutes in Taran had a terrific shot which looked like it was in, but unfortunately it hit the side netting. Minutes later from a throw in on the left, Lovell collected the ball and fired a shot just wide of the keeper's right hand post. Midway through the half Jack rejoined the action for Lovell on the left hand side of the midfield. Kaci, Finlay and Taran continue to defend our goal and all work very hard to prevent Sutton Dynamo getting through, but on 20 minutes Ben had to make another great save to his right to prevent us conceding a second goal. The game continued to see both sides getting opportunities with chances falling to Callum, Ugo and Jack but unfortunately we couldn't get that final winning goal.
Full Time Score: Junior Reds Spartans - 1, FC Sutton Dynamo - 1
Managers Comment: Not quite sure how this one slipped away from us. After such a strong and commanding performance in the first 20 minutes, I was really sure it would be a third win in the league for us. However we didn't lose either, so that's three unbeaten in the league. We mustn't become complacent though as there are plenty of areas to continue working on. Passing, Control on the ball, particularly when under pressure and understanding what positional play and shape means.
A special thanks goes to William for supporting with the match card and also managing the game as referee. Cheers William.
Captain - Kaci
Man of the Match - Taran