MATCH REPORT - SELKENT LEAGUE (Autumn): JR Spartans v Adelaide Kings - 2nd Dec 12 (Home)
After several different fixture details being published this week our game was finally confirmed as a 2pm kick off at our home ground. For this fixture we were without Taran, Lovell and Shemar so started with 8 players. The fixture started a little late due to other fixtures over running due to a heavy frost in the morning.
This was always going to be a tough fixture as Adelaide are unbeated in the league and within 2 mins our opponents took the ball into the box which resulted in some strong defending from Finlay and George, but the ball broke loose to their striker who's shot went into the left hand corner for their first goal. Almost from the resulting kick off, Adelaide won the ball again and put in a powerful shot in from the left hand side of the box. Finlay almost managed to save it off the line but the shot was too strong and ended in the net. Adelaide continued to put pressure on us, but we continued to defend well with great tackles from George, Finlay, Jack and Kaci. Ben also made save after save, bravely diving at players feet to stop a number of attempts by Adelaide, on one occassion getting injuried in the process. We unfortunately conceded a third goal after the ball was intercepted following a throw out, which Adelaide punished us for by slotting the ball past Ben. The fourth goal was very unfortunate as a shot hit Finlay in the stomach, with Finlay being injured this allowed Adelaide to have a close range shot at goal. However we had chances William had a great run down the left taking on two players but unfortunately just couldn't get a pass away into the box where Callum was waiting. Shortly after William picked up the ball just inside our oppenents half and put through a smashing pass to Callum, only for Callums shot to go just wide of the post. Adelaides fifth goal had a touch of luck to it, as the ball was crossed it took a deflection to go behind Ben only for their striker to put a toe onto it for another goal.
Half Time Score : Junior Reds Spartans - 0, Adelaide Kings - 5
For the second half Kaci was replaced by Ugo. The half started with another Adelaide attack and a rasping shot which Ben saved and pushed the ball away for a corner. From the corner we couldn't clear the ball and Adelaide scored their sixth goal. Adelaide were then awarded a penalty which Ben saved, only to see one of the on rushing striker poke the loose ball home, seven now to our oppenents. To the boys credit they continued to battle hard and Callum had a great run on goal only for his attempt to go for a corner. From the resulting corner the ball fell to Finlay who had two great shots at goal, both being blocked. With the boys pushing on to try and score and with 10 mins left, Adelaide caught us on the break and score their eigth goal of the afternoon. The formation was then changed to put Jack up front with Callum and saw William drop into midfield with Finlay and George & Ugo in defence. From a through in on the right hand side by George, William received the ball and ran into the box and had a shot at goal which flies into the net (Great goal William). With the team pushing forward to get a second, we get caught out by a long kick from their keeper, leaving us with a one on one situation at the back, which saw Adelaide getting their ninth of the game. Callum also got two oppurtunities late in the game with a one on one chance which saw him tackled just before firing a shot in on goal and the second chance was a cross from Jack which saw his shot go over the bar.
Full Time Score : Junior Reds Spartans - 1, Adelaide Kings - 9
Managers Comment: The result on paper doesn't look great, however the boys showed great spirit and determination. No ones head dropped and we even got a goal for all the effort that everyone put in. We did have chances in this game, but we need to work on our finishing. Our marking of players is improving but we need to clear the ball from the penalty box. Our tackling though looked good as did our passing and throw ins. The result didn't reflect the amount of hard work you all put in to that game. Thanks goes to William for refereeing todays game.
Captain - Callum
Man of the Match - Ben