Oldland, Newland, Badland! Sunday 11th September 2005 ____________________________________________________________________
Away in the League for the first time, Jack wasn’t available so Ethan was asked to play for the Green’s
Game 1 - The line up was:
Joby
James Mark
Jim
Josef Josh
Joe
Rolling Subs: Max & Callum
Oldland were first out of the starting blocks with a shot which sailed wide. A quick throw by Josh was played into the middle, but Joe was just unable to get to it. Oldland attacked down the wing leaving us in their wake, but Joby was quick out and got his feet to it. Then Mark was there as another shot came in. Oldland then had a corner which bounced on top of the crossbar and into the arms of the grateful Joby. A good ball out from James was latched onto by Joe but his shot was tipped around the post by the ‘keeper. Joe wasn’t denied long however and he hit a rasping shot to put us into the lead 0-1. Oldland attacked back however and from a corner, the ball bounced around without being cleared. It seemed to going away from goal when their attacker hooked it high back over his shoulder, over the defence and just crept in below the crossbar in the back of our net 1-1. James, Joe & Max then passed around well, keeping possession. It eventually came to Max, but his strong shot was saved by the ‘keeper. Oldland attacked and Josef was there with some great defending, allowing Callum time to get back before Joby pounced on it.
James put Max through but their ‘keeper got there first and cleared it. We gave away a free-kick a full 25 yards out. Their forward took a good run and drove the ball high into the top right corner of the net, giving Joby no chance. Make no mistake, this was an excellent strike. It wasn’t chipped in high, it was driven, rising all the way 2-1. Max showed great determination to go down the line past a few players but they eventually cleared it. Oldland hit another rasper which Joby got his body behind to clear. Another forced save winded him, but after a bit of treatment, he carried on. Oldland attacked again, Joby got injured making the save but Mark came in behind to clear it. Jim headed clear the resulting corner. Josef got the ball, passed through to Max, but their ‘keeper made a good save.
James made a strong tackle, passed to Josef who went on a fantastic run down the wing through two or three defenders before he was dispossessed. Oldland won the ball in the midfield and passed their way through. Joby made an initial save but they followed up 3-1. Joe took the kick off, went down the left wing and was fouled. He took the kick himself and hit a great strike which skimmed the top of the crossbar. Max won the ball, passed to Jim and he in turn found Joe surrounded by three. He still managed to shoot but it was just wide. Max then passed to Josh who went on a run but was tackled as he was about to shoot. A big kick from Joby was won by Max. He played a great ball through to Josh but he was just unable to shoot.
Man of the Match – Chosen by Rod Andrews for excellent play – Callum Payne
Game 2 - The line up was:
Jamie G
Sam B Oscar
Luke Dan Jordan
Sam K
Rolling Subs: Ethan, Tom & Spike
We started with some good passing between Sam K, Dan & Jordan. Perhaps a sign of the good things to come? Or not! Oldland had a shot, almost from the halfway line but Jamie came out and claimed it. Sam K passed a nice ball across midfield to Dan but it was just cut out. Sam K then had a strong run down the wing and his cross/shot was just wide. There was a scuffle in the goal area which Sam B finally claimed and cleared. Jamie then had to be alert with two great saves. We had been attacking a lot at this point, but then they broke quickly, outnumbering our defence and the shot went through Jamie’s legs 1-0. Sam K tried to get a goal back straight away, but was tackled as he tried to shoot. We did win a corner from it however and Sam B hit a lovely ball in, but no one could get on the end of it. Sam B then tried a spectacular overhead kick which their ‘keeper managed to palm away, Sam K came running in for the rebound but it was just wide. Sam B tried to pass the length of the pitch to Sam K but it was cut out at the last minute. Oldland then had another chance, which nestled in the back of the net 2-0. Oldland were running riot at this point and a thunderous shot was brilliantly tipped over the bar by Jamie.
Oldland started the second half as they had finished the first with a cracking shot which Tom headed over. Ethan passed to Dan who tried to go on a run but he was surrounded and the ball was lost. Jamie then made another great save to deny them their third. Ethan then had the overhead kick but no one was there when it dropped into the box. From the ‘keeper getting it however, he launched a quick kick downfield, which eluded our defenders and they gave Jamie no chance 3-0. Tom ran up the line to earn a throw. It was thrown the wrong way however and they got a corner from our promising attack.
When we got the ball, Spike and Sam K linked well, but there was no other support and they lost it. Tom then attacked through the middle and passed through their defence for Sam K to run onto but their ‘keeper was swiftly out and just got there first. They attacked again but Spike was there and he fed Luke who went on a good run downfield, passed inside to Sam K and his shot was well saved. Ethan then went on a run down the wing, but it was cleared as he crossed it. Some great passing between our players ended with Luke to Ethan but his shot was saved.
Man of the Match – Chosen by Keith Gratton for excellent play – Sam Burgess
The first game was a great game of effort and passing, lost only to three great strikes. The second game however was a different matter. Although it doesn’t come across from the commentary, we were lacklustre, second to the ball and outfought by a team who simply wanted to win more than us.
No game next week as we have a bye in the first round of the cup. All details at www.fryclubfc.co.uk, look for our page.