U9's B don't make it easy - but show resilience & determination

30 November 2008

Unicorn Athletic‘s manager must have come away bitterly disappointed that they had not held on to their lead twice but then must have felt quite chuffed at the improved score line against a team that had previously demolished them.

I have to mention, the referee was a star today, giving the boys a 3 minute lecture everytime a foul throw or push was committed. He was a real stickler for the throw ins and I think the boys will learn from this and be aware for the coming matches.

1st 15 min Period
It would be fair to say Albion’s football was a bit scrappy in the 1st half but there was never any lack of effort from the boys. There was a lot of battling away in midfield with Rohan getting stuck in early on. Sol was unfortunate not to get any decent balls through. Unicorn looked threatening from the corners and free kicks, of which Albion were not clearing the ball out far enough and were not first to the ball. You couldn’t take anything away from Unicorns goal 10 mins in to the first period. It was a perfect set piece from a free kick just outside the penalty area. James had little chance to save the clean header into the back of the net. But this set back was not going to stop him from practically keeping us in the game throughout the rest of the match.

Albion 0-1 Unicorns

Unicorn continued to dominate and looked dangerous again but Josh W and Dan put in solid performances at the back as usual. The boys roughed it up with the opposition when they needed to as several free kicks were awarded to both teams.
Albion were in unfamiliar territory ending the 1st period 1-0 down.

2nd 15 min Period
At the restart Albion were first out, eager to pull back the goal and put things straight. An opportunity for a first goal came when on the counter attack Finn had passed the ball out to Nathan, who had come on for Sol, he looked clear but was unfortunate to stumble before he could get one of his lethal shots off.

On the counter attack from Unicorns, James made 2 great saves consecutively that almost definitely kept us in the game. Helped out by Josh W charging down shots like a bull .
Josh M, on for Rohan, was up and down the wing also helping out at the back., teaming up with Sam to take control of the midfield.

Albion started to turn the game and the first goal came from one too many fouls committed by the Unicorn no. 3. Dan stepped up to take it from 25yds out and unleashed an absolute screamer straight into the back of the net, no one got a touch on it.

Albion 1-1 Unicorns

Albion turned up the heat now and the ball stayed mainly in the Unicorns half with Nathan battling in front of the oppositions net just unable to have a clear shot. Dan had another power shot that came close. And Josh W made several good runs forcing a corner, having a quality left foot strike just going wide.

There were still dangerous moments at the other end with James making yet another save coming out off his line showing his sharpness.
Sam made several good important tackles at the back and skilful runs down the left serving the ball into the box but neither Sol nor Nathan could get on the end of it.

We saw James safe pair of hands again as a high incoming ball was confidently taken followed by a kick out to Josh M who made a skilful run down the right and square ball in but couldn’t find our strikers. Albion had several opportunities to score but were unlucky to have shots run wide.
Albion’s concentration slipped momentarily and they paid for this when they failed to mark up with a Unicorns corner. Their no.9 striker had time on the incoming ball to finish well right on the end of the 2nd Period.

Albion 1-2 Unicorns

3rd 15 mins Period

Again Albion were first out, frustrated with the scoreline, having a reputation to maintain. Josh W started where he had left off with another blistering run down the middle. The equaliser soon came from a strong run down the right wing by Josh M followed by a clinical pass into the path of Finn who beat one player and buried it into the back of the net.

Albion 2-2 Unicorns

At the restart another chance to score came with Sol keeping the pressure on running with the ball at Unicorn Athletic only to be brought down 30 yds out. Dan took the free kick but the wall, which was suspiciously close, deflected the shot away.

Rohan back on for Josh M continued to apply the pressure. Harrison as usual making several hard tackles when it really counted.

Josh W was really fired up in the 3rd period making several more attacks on Unicorn crossing the ball into the path of Sam who fired a hard low shot along the ground to produce  Albions 3rd goal.

Albion 3-2 Unicorns

Albion were looking like the team we watch every weekend, hungry for the goals, strong on the attack and solid at the back with Daniel and Sam mopping up anything that came through. James was unlucky to take a nasty knock whilst making another courageous save and had to come off to be replaced by our reserve goalkeeper, Nathan, but this produced a contender for the ‘You’ve been framed’ award. Following almost everybody on the field trying to alert the vintage referee to the injured player, Brian called out for Nathan at the top of his voice across the field only to have Nathan standing right next to him to answer ‘I’m here’ gave us all a chuckle.

With the game continuing Sam and Rohan made some good runs and shots on target to be tipped out by the Unicorn keeper. The last kick of the game was a free kick awarded to Rohan who was brought down by the repeat offender no.9.

Final score Albion 3 – 2 Unicorn

Well done the lads!  MOM went to James for his excellent saves that surely kept us in the game early on during the unsettled  parts of the game.

Managers comment:
You proved you wanted to win. Once you woke up a bit late in the game you proved it! You all deserved man of the match today by working as a team and you made me and your parents proud!

Source: D Mehta

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