MATCH REPORT - SELKENT LEAGUE 13-14 (Autumn): Teviot Rangers Blue vs JR Spartans 10th Nov 13
Our seventh game of the season saw us visiting the sloping and boggey pitch of Teviot Rangers Blue. Before the game the boys observed a minutes silence for Remembrance Sunday. The game started with the following line up of boys - Jack (GK), Kaci (cpt), Finlay, George, William, Lovell and Callum. The boys began tentatively and with a difficult pitch we found ourselves a goal down within the first few minutes from a goal mouth scramble which we struggled to clear, only for us to see the ball fired home off the post. Ben went on for William, in to his traditional right hand wing slot after 8 minutes. The lads tried hard to get their passing together but Ben, Lovell and Callum didn't really get the run of the ball. In defence Finlay, Kaci and George battled hard but Teviot continued to pressurise the boys. Shortly later Teviot continued their tactics of playing up high on the slop and broke through to slot home their second of the game. This led to another subsitution and slight change of formation Kaci made way for Taran who went into centre midfield and George dropped into a more familar right back position. The boys found it difficult to play their usual passing and wing play and chances were few and far between. We went close at one point following a corner from Lovell, the ball was cleared and gather by George whose looping shot was well saved by the keeper.
Half Time Score : Teviot Blue - 2, JR Spartans - 0
At half time the boys were advised that the game wasn't over and it was up to them to dig deep and get back into the game, which we were more than capable of doing. The second half started, as always, with some changes. Alfie came on for Ben, Shemar came on for Finlay. The boys were unfortunately caught out almost from the restart by a third goal from Teviot. This mean't we really did have an up hill task to get back into the game. The boys showed some real character though and began to take more control over the game. After lots of hard work and running Callum made way for William to continue the hard work up front. Lovell, Taran and Alfie all had great strikes at goal but that elusive opening goal just wouldn't come. Lovell made way for Kaci after 10 minutes of the second half. Gerorge, Taran and Shemar kept the defence tight at the back and stopped alot of chances finding there way through to Jack. However when they did get through Jack was there as the final man to gather the ball, which he did several times. With the last 10 minutes of the game George made way for Finlay. With the closing minutes Jack made a terrific save which bounced out and a fell to a Teviot player who tapped the ball in from close range (very unlucky Jack).
Full Time Score : Teviot lue - 4, JR Spartans - 0
Managers comment :- A disappointing result, but only our second defeat of the season. Clearly the pitch condition didn't help the way we play (passing and wing play) and there is something to be said about knowing your home pitch which clear Teviot do.
Captain: Kaci
Man of the Match: Taran