MATCH REPORT - SELKENT LEAGUE (Spring): JR Spartans vs Beacons White - 5th May 13 (Home)
Our ninth and penultimate game of the spring season saw us at home to Beacons White JFC. On a beautiful sunny morning it looked like summer had finally arrived. The starting squad was Ben (Goalkeeper), Finlay (Left Back), Kaci (Right Back), Lovell (Left Midfield), Taran (Centre Midfield), Jack (Right Midfield & Captain) and William (Striker).
Both teams showed some great touches and interchanging passes. Beacons went very close after 6 minutes when the ball was crossed into the box and after the ball bobbled around in the penalty box, was headed just over the bar. On the 8th minute Lovell had one of his characteristic runs down the left wing and put a smashing high cross into the box, very close to the goal mouth. The Beacons keeper and defence misjudged the bounce and William stepped up to steer the ball into the net from close range, for our first goal of the morning. (Well done William that’s three goals in three matches). A few moments later Beacons went close with a shot at goal which Ben gathered, but then spilled out for a corner. From the resulting corner Beacons got an attempt at goal which hit our cross bar and was then safely cleared by Jack. On the 13th minute William comes off for Callum. With a lot of the possession being had by the boys Kaci and Finlay didn’t have too much to contend with. They were also assisted well when Beacons did have chances by Taran, Jack and Lovell helping out in defence. The boys then built up an attack from the back with Finlay playing in Lovell on the left wing. Lovell carried the ball forward and passed the ball into Callum. With almost Callum’s first touch of the ball, he fired the ball into the Beacons net for our second of the day (smashing finish Callum). On the 16th minute we got a corner following another brilliant run from Lovell on the left. From the corner the ball comes across the goal and both Jack, Lovell have chances, the ball finally falls to Taran whose shot goes wide. Following another corner Jack also has a shot at goal, but his shot goes wide also. Jack goes close again minutes later when another high looping cross is put into the box from the left by Lovell. Callum had a break down the right hand side and powered a shot at goal, but unfortunately his shot went inches wide of the post. The boys continued to keep the pressure on Beacons and had a number of corners, but we couldn’t get that important third goal. With the last minutes of the half ticking away Beacons got a corner on the right. From the corner they put in a good cross which we cleared only for the ball to fall to a Beacons player just inside the box, who struck an impressive shot to Ben’s right for our opponents first goal of the morning. With almost the last kick of the first half Jack played the ball down the right and passed the ball into the box for Callum whose shot was blocked only for the ball to find its way to Lovell. Lovell had a great shot on target only for it to be cleared off the line by a Beacons defender.
Half time score: Junior Reds Spartans – 2, Beacons White - 1
The second half started with some changes to ensure everyone got match time. Callum was replaced by William as striker, Taran came off for Ugo and Kaci made way for George.
With 10 minutes gone in the second half Lovell took a corner and drilled the ball into Beacons goal mouth. Following a bit of a scramble the ball finally fell to Jack who poked the ball home for our third goal of the match (great battling Jack). Minutes later from a throw in another smashing passing move between Jack and Lovell, saw a shot from Lovell saved at the near post by their keeper. Halfway through the second half Callum came on for William.
Our third goal clearly stirred Beacons into action and we started to absorb a lot of pressure, with both George and Finlay having to defend harder than in the first half. Following a sustained period of attack from our opponents we caught them on the break on the 19th minute and Ugo fired in a shot at goal, the ball was cleared only to be collected by Jack whose shot went over the bar. Kaci and Taran rejoin the action on the 20th minute for Finlay and Jack. Shortly after Beacons get a corner on the left hand side, the ball is played in hard and low into the box. Somehow the ball goes right across our goal and goes in off the far post from where the corner was taken (strange goal, not really sure how it sneaked in). Minutes later Beacons obtained the ball in the box and fired another brilliant shot at our goal. Ben however made a fantastic save to push the ball over the bar (another great save Ben). With our last attack of the game Ugo puts in Callum from a throw in. Callum’s shot is saved and pushed wide for a corner. From the resulting corner taken by Lovell, Callum again fires a shot at goal which hits a Beacons defender square in the face. With the final seconds ticking away Beacons have one last opportunity and again get a shot at goal from the right hand side of the box just as the whistle is blown, but Ben saves anyway.
Final Score: Junior Reds Spartans – 3, Beacons White - 2
Managers Comments: Another great win boys, this now gives us 12 points with one game left to play this season. This is twice as many points as we achieved in the autumn season. This was another close game, but there were some great performances in all areas. There was some good passing going on particularly in the midfield and we need to keep working on this and building play up from the back. As I mentioned last week finishing for me is still a concern. We are making lots of great opportunities we just need to finish a few more chances. Saying all of that we got the right result and we are now guaranteed to finish no lower than 4th in the league. Which is a great result and shows how committed you all are in working together as a team. Big thank you goes to Stan for refereeing today’s game.
Captain – Jack
Man of the match - Jack
|
Played |
Won |
Drawn |
Lost |
For |
Against |
Goal Diff |
Points |
|
9 |
5 |
2 |
2 |
19 |
14 |
5 |
12 |
POST MATCH NOTE :- As well as Tim who kindly takes photographs of our matches, there was also a photographer at the ground that was taking shots that you can purchase. He will be at training next Saturday where you can view the shots he has taken of today’s match.