Mud, glorious Mud - doesn't halt U14s win

9 November 2008

In conditions more suited to wallowing hippo's, the re-vitalised U14's took to a cold & windswept pitch with an air of confidence. Both sides showed respect during the minute’s silence at the start of the game on this Remembrance Sunday, but there was little left for the rest of the game when Albion got stuck in, sometimes literally.

Although showing the same determination that the 10-man side had shown at the start of last week, the first half seemed destined to remain goal less. There were plenty of opportunities but no-one seemed able to convert the chances, the sticky conditions not helping the usually flowing football these boys can turn on. For the spectators feeling the cold on the touchline, the highlight of the first half seemed to be counting the number of times players from both sides were trying their skills only to slip on the mud & end up base over apex. There were also worried looks from those facing the prospect of washing the kit - whoever had the idea of white shirts?

With the first half drawing to a close and the score remaining at 0 - 0, there was relief from the touchline that this might just be the week. But, too soon, as almost on the stroke of half time, a Woodhouse player found himself with enough free space outside the box to launch a chip which proved to be just two inches too far for Simon to get his finger tips to & the ball curved into the back of the net. This was all put down to the appearance on the touchline of a parent who had been watching from the warmth of his car who asked the time honoured question "how's it going"? On seeing the ball in the back of the net, the remaining spectators suggested he might wish to return to his car, but thankfully he stayed to see history in the making.

With the wind blowing any conversations away it was difficult to tell if the hair-dryer was out at the half-time team talk, but Albion came out for the second half with the same determination to succeed.

The second half was again characterised by players from both sides seeming to spend more time slipping in the mud than playing traditional football. Most of the pressure was coming from Albion but still it was difficult to convert this to goals. There were several squandered chances but also the apparent addition of a force field on the goal line preventing that extra goal. A certain goal at any other time was stopped in the patch of mud that was the goal line, much to the groans of players & spectators alike.

At last the efforts paid off with Luke & Jordan combining in some neat passing play, Jordan as provider to Luke, 1 - 1:  - game on! This combination then again got into the thick of the action this time with Luke as provider to Jordan.

The signs were looking good, all Albion had to do now was hold on for their first win of the season. With both sides surely tiring in the difficult conditions it was never going to be easy, but the lads continued to battle. With all but one of the opposition being around 6 ft. tall, it was a battle some of the Albion team weren't easily going to forget but all proved well up to the task.

Still, another goal would be good to seal the victory & this duly came when a goal kick found Luke in enough space to run through to goal and bury the ball in the back of the net. Surely this was it now?

But, as fans of certain local teams know, you should never count your chickens. With the clock almost run down, the goal mouth melee resulting from a Woodhouse corner allowed the ball to sneak into the net.

Final score 3 – 2 and the first win of the season for Albion. This was a different team than had been turning up in previous weeks and it was good to see. This should provide the confidence boost that the lads needed and see them through the coming weeks.

Source: A Hack

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