MATCH REPORT - SELKENT LEAGUE 13-14 (Spring): JR Spartans vs Welling Wnders Black 23rd Feb 14
Our second home game of the spring season saw us face Welling Wanderers Black. Interesting a former coach of Junior Reds was involved with our opponents.
The starting line up was Jake, Shemar (cpt), George, Jack, Alfie, Kaci and William.
We unfortunately got off to a slow start and within the first five minutes conceded a goal following a run down their right hand wing. The ball was drilled across our box and we were punished by a toe poke by a welling player at the far post. We tried hard to get back into the game and there was some good running by Alfie on right wing. William and Kaci were continually looking for opportunities but the Welling defence remained solid. Our own defence continued to come under pressure with Taran, Shemar and George kept very busy. With approximately twelve minutes on the clock we conceded our second goal of the game dispute some really brave defending and goal keeping. As the final minutes of the first ticking by Welling put in another cross, this time Jake made a great save pushing the ball onto the crossbar, but a Welling player followed up on the ball as it dropped back down in front of the goal to put us three goals down. As a result of the goal Jake got caught in the face and had to substituted. Jake kindly deputised in goal and Taran came on for Jake.
Half Time Score: JR Spartans 0, Welling Wanderers Black 3
The boys at half time were told not to give up and told to work on passing the ball to the wings. They were also told that Welling's key player was their number 7 as everything was going through him crosses, big throw in etc. As ever there were changes made so that everyone gets equal playing time. Finlay on for George, Lovell on for Kaci, Ben on for Alfie, Callum replaced William and Jack remained in goal. The lads clearly were up for the challenge and immediately Lovell, Ben and Callum put pressure on the Welling defence. Lovell had a great run down the left wing and struck a cracking shot which smashed against the cross bar within the first 5 minutes. Ben continually troubled their left back and was looking for that first goal for us. Eventually we opened our account, following a long kick from goal by Jack, the ball was gathered by Callum who ran into the box and delicately lifted the ball over an advancing keeper. Our goal appeared to rattle Welling and they raised there game. The back three of Finlay, Shemar and Taran worked well together with Jack doing a sterling job as our substitute goal keeper. With approx 10 minutes left on the clock Shemar made way for George. Shortly afterwards Welling got a lucky goal when a shot that was going wide of the goal was wickedly deflected in off of George (unlucky George nothing you could have done on that one). As the final minutes ticked away Welling scored their fifth of the game.
Full Time Score: JR Spartans 1, Welling Wanderers Black 5
Manager's comment: A disappointing result as this is our second defeat in a row. I personally don't believe we deserved to concede five goals and I think the final score flattered our opponents. We need to think about where we are putting the ball. At times we put ourselves under pressure. As I stated last week and as I said at the end of the game to the boys we have moved up a league and we are playing at a higher standard, but we have positive signs. It's good to test ourselves as we all learn as a consequence of this, even in defeat. Next week we have a rest bite from the league as we are in the League Vase cup competition. A big thank you to Stan for refereeing Sundays game.
Captain: Shemar
Man of the match: Ben