Match Report U12A - 11th Nov 2007
12 Nov 2007
20 minute goal burst in the second half from Selsdon dents Foresters hopes!
Sunday 11th November 2007
Selsdon Rangers 6 v Foresters 1 @ Old Mid Whitgiftians Sports Ground
After the disappointment of last week, this week’s match saw us facing the current league leaders who we had kept to a draw on their visit to Tunbridge Wells.
The pitch was probably the best we have played on all season, and the opening encounters saw Selsdon take the game straight to us. After only 5 minutes Jorge made a fine save and this set the tone for the first half with Selsdon launching waves of attacks, which somehow we managed to keep out. Luke cleared off the line, George and Ryan getting various parts of their bodies in the way to keep the ball out of the goal. All the players were showing great determination and courage and it was all hands to the pump to prevent Selsdon going in front.
We introduced Bud early on after Jack had to come off injured, and Bud lead the line and held the ball up well throughout enabling our midfield players to get in the match. For a spell we started to play better passing football with Jake winning the ball and feeding Joe whose fine array of passing were bringing Tom Beck into the game. This enabled us a couple of half chances, which were blocked by the home defence. Lady luck seemed to be on our side when Selsdon hit the hit post and Jorge made a great double save.
Nil Nil at half time and the thought was in my head that if the luck stayed with us, we might be able to catch them on the break and claim an unlikely win.
Straight from the kick off Shashi just failed to reach a through ball from Ed, which would have given him a clear shot at goal. Selsdon then deservedly took the lead followed shortly afterwards by a second. Tom then had a long free kick, which we only just failed to convert into a goal. Selsdon added a third and this forced us into changes with Dan Cheek coming from the bench and producing a good performance from Centre Midfield.
Jack then created a fine chance, which went narrowly wide; perhaps if this went in things might have been different. Selsdon added three more well taken goals to make it 6-0. However, we seem to save our best attacks for the last ten minutes with Jordan narrowly missing on two occasions, and another Tom free kick causing trouble in the home defence.
The boys were keeping going and the determination was emphasised with a crunching fair tackle by Jake on the Selsdon playmaker with only 5 minutes to go.
We finally got a goal, which we deserved when another fine Ed Stocker pass was converted well by Jack for his fourth goal of this season.
In fairness we were beaten by the better team but showed great fighting spirit throughout even when we went behind.
The man of match voted by the opposition manager was Jorge who prevented numerous goals with some fine stops. There were also great performances from Joe, Dan, Ryan, Jake and Bud.
Thanks to all the supporters who travelled and also the young ref from Selsdon who had a good game.
Well there is always next week in the cup!
Julian