4th Nov 2007 Match Report U12 A (Tan C)
6 Nov 2007
Foresters ‘A’ 0 v Darwin 3 Sunday 4th Nov 2007 @ Hilbert Rec
Well they say football is a funny old game and after Sunday’s events I can see why!
We produced some of our best football of the season, but also conceded the worst three goals of the season.
We entered the game full of hope with a nearly full squad to pick from, and made two changes from last week bringing in Bud up front, and also rewarded him with the captaincy due to his hard efforts against Chipstead. Dan Cheek also started in his favourite centre midfield position after a 2 week break.
Darwin got off to a quick and lively start taking the game straight to us, and it was least 5 minutes before we settled. We then created two chances in 2 minutes with firstly Jack’s pace enabling him an opportunity that the very useful Darwin keeper saved. Christian then blasted a shot just over the bar, however disaster struck when from a routine pass, a Foresters player turned his back on the ball which lead to Darwin first .We then created our best chance of the match with Jordan failing to convert from inside the area. Tom Beck then narrowly failed to equalise when pushing up from the back from a corner with his shot shaving the top of the bar. Then, a momentary lapse in concentration! From a Darwin long throw (and with 2 Foresters players pulling their socks up!) the Darwin striker ran on and lopped well over the advancing keeper.
We were forced to make chances with Ryan returning from injury and playing up front and his pace soon troubled the visitors defence, although every shot (and there many) was safely dealt with by the Darwin keeper.
2-0 down at half time I still felt we could come back and win, and we started the second half time attacking as we had finished the first half although without creating any clear cut chances. We then produced our best move of the season with sub Joe Warr sending a great 30 yds pass to Tom now on the right wing, his pass was crossed by Jack to the advancing Calum who unfortunately headed straight at the keeper.
All the boys were showing a higher level of determination with Sashi, George, Jake and Luke all winning their headers and tackles. We also showed a better level of controlled aggression particularly from Jake and Christian. Foresters were now taking the game totally to the visitors and looking for the goal we richly deserved. Ryan’s shot that hit the post being the closest to a goal.
Then the self-destruct button struck for the third time with the defence too far up the pitch, the Darwin forward beat the offside trap and with the keeper being caught in the wrong position outside his area, the Darwin striker was left with a simple tap in.
We made more changes, pushing more bodies forwards as we chased the game but as hard as we tried we could not force a goal, and indeed if not for a smart save by Jorge the visitors could have had a totally misleading fourth goal.
In summary we had at least twice the number of shots and over 70% of the play but could not finish on the day.
Thanks to all the boys as ever who certainly deserved something from the game.
As they say it is a funny old game
Julian