- So our second game was upon which was always going to be a tough test against Dukenfield who beat us comfortably last year 6-0. Having gone behind again like so many times last season we dug deep and played the better football and instead of conceding again like we did so many times last year we pulled one back and had chances to score another. At the final whistle a 1-1 draw was a fare result as both teams played some really good football with the keepers doing their job to stop anymore goals going in.
Having made three changes from last week to rotate the players around the starting line was a strong one with Ethan captaining the team with his great performance in training on Thursday in goal, Caleb and Dylan in defence, Josh holding midfield with Matthew and Kiwi on the wings with Harry up on his own.
As mentioned last year a lot of the times we conceded early on and this always put us on the back foot and we found it hard to get back in the game. But like last week this wasn’t the case and after going one down after 9 minutes we had our chances to equalise with some great runs from Kiwi and Matthew on the wings and with Harry making a nuisance of himself with his runs of and on the ball It was a shock that we went in at half time still one down. Josh in midfield was winning the challenges from their big number 12 and when the ball did run loose Dylan and Caleb was there to pick up the pieces with some last ditch tackles from Dylan and great passing from Caleb.
Again like last week Ethan kept us in the game with some vital saves and blocks and is playing with more confidence ordering his team about in set pieces.
Half time came and being still in the game it was time to bring on the subs, Nyle came on for Harry, George for Josh, Kobe for Kiwi (who like every single game he just runs his heart of for the team, you know what to expect from this lad) and Louis for Caleb. We looked more stronger at the start of the second leg due to the fresh legs and we say Kobe making those dazzling runs down the wing which we missed the back half of the season last year when he left us. Having the depth in players this season is already making a big difference this year as we have a strong 11 to choose from.
I can imagine it was a great match to watch from a spectators point of view but on the sideline it was very tense with end to end football with our chances just going wide or there keeper saving them., They looked strong from set pieces and we were giving them to many corners but our defense looked stronger each time they had one and if it wasn’t George with his headed clearances, or Louis getting in front of the ball, it was Ethan with his cool handling that was keeping them at bay.
Nyle took a powerful strike to his hand and was playing really well up to this point but you could see that this injury was playing on his mind and with only 8 minutes left it was a hard decision but we had to bring him of and he was placed with Harry. Nyle will be starting next game and I am sure he would have recovered by then and will grab his second of the season.
A minute later Dylan came off for Caleb as it was clear to see that Dylan was looking tired after all the running he did that morning, well played young man. Soon after Harry took the ball on one of his silky runs and crossed it into the path of George who slotted it in to equalise with 7 minutes to play and well deserved.
With 7 minutes left to play we looked stronger as the game went on, Louis was finding his feet and getting his body in the way making some important interception. Caleb was keeping it calm at the back knowing when to hold on to the ball and when to release it. Matthew and Koby was still continuing attacking the flanks with the ball and George and Harry making their job easier by making some really good movement of the ball.
The final whistle blowed and it finished 1-1 which was a fair result as both teams deserved to come away with something.
Next game is against a new team we haven’t come across before Marple Blues at Wright Robinson, Kick Off 10.35am
