MATCH REPORT - SELKENT LEAGUE (Autumn): JR Spartans v Phoenix Jaguars - 16th Dec 12 (Home)
Today saw us play our last game in 2012 before the Christmas break, against an unbeaten Phoenix Jaguars. With a full squad available we started really well, with us having alot of possession and several attempts on goal from the midfield four of Jack, Lovell, William and Taran. The match remained goalless until the 10th minute when George beat Ben to the ball only to unfortunately guide the ball into the left hand corner of Ben's goal (unlucky George). With 20 minutes gone Phoenix broke down the left and fired the ball low across our penalty area only for their striker to slot the ball home for their second goal. Despite being two down we really didn't deserve to be behind by that score line as we were playing some really great football. The defensive pairing of Finlay and George kept battling hard to stop the break away attacks from Phoenix. Ben made a great save from a one on one situation with a Phoenix striker (brilliant stop Ben). Just before half time Phoenix scored their third from another cross into the box which was struck into the back of our net.
Half Time Score: Junior Reds Spartans - 0, Phoenix Jaguars - 3
At half time all four subs were used to ensure everyone took part in the game. Shemar was on for George, Kaci on for Finlay, Ugo on for Lovell and Callum on for William. Phoenix started the second half strongly and we had to dig in and defend for long periods of the game. With 10 minutes of the second half gone Ben made a terrific save from a powerful shot pushing it around his right hand post (another great stop Ben). Two minutes later from a Phoenix corner Ugo made a great tackle and brought the ball out of our box and put it through to Taran on the right. Taran took the ball down the wing and put a through ball to Callum. Callum dribbled the ball into their box and fired a shot into the bottom corner of the Phoenix goal (cracking shot Callum). With 18 minutes of the second half gone, we cleared a Phoenix corner only for it to be driven back into our box and a Phoenix player still in the area redirected it into our goal. Shortly after Ben made another great save from a Phoenix shot, pushing it again around his right hand post. With 21 minutes gone, there was another break away attack and another one on one situation, Shemar put in a brave strong challenge to put the ball out for a corner and prevent the threat on goal. In the closing minutes of the game a Phoenix shot hit the cross bar and was cleared away to safety by Kaci.
Full Time Score: Junior Reds Spartans - 1, Phoenix Jaguars - 4
Managers Comment: This was going to be a tough game as this side is unbeaten this season, however the boys weren't over run by this team, we had some great possesion and tackling in the midfield. With only two at the back we will run the risk of being caught on the break, however this is something we will work on in the new year. With such a large squad and ensuring everyone gets a game, it is difficult to drive consistancy, however as long as the boys are enjoying playing "the beautiful game" that's a big part of it. Today, if I could, I would have given a number of the boys the man of the match award as there was alot of hard work and effort put in.
Thanks goes to Tim for refereeing todays game and to William for sorting out the match card (thanks gents).
Captain - Jack
Man of the Match - Callum