U14's play on - this ones for Luke

1 February 2009

Not a match report today - our thoughts are with Luke, who broke his leg during the match today.

All the players, managers and parents wish Luke a speedy recovery and hope to see him back with us soon.

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On reflection there is a match report to show Luke that his team mates tried their hardest for him.

With the icy cold conditions and snow beginning to fall, it was a change of tactics for Albion to begin the match facing the opposite way from normal. It seemed to be paying off with Albion being the stronger side before a breakaway resulted in a soft goal.

It didn't take long for Albion to re-establish themselves by showing the passing game they are capable of,  getting the ball to Sean who placed it superbly into the back of the net.

This was a different side from the one that turned up at the last game, one showing a determination not to be bowed by playing the top of the table team. Up front, Luke was showing both his strength and ability requiring the close attention of three of the Moorside defenders. Still, this didn’t stop him losing them eventually to find the net with a good individual goal.

This fired up the Moorside coach who had a neat little ditty for his lads from the touchline reminding them that they may be 5 points clear but this wasn’t the sort of football they should be playing.

Following another attack, and despite the goal area being filled with Albion players, a Moorside player cleverly lofted a ball above the outstretched fingers of Simon – all square.

Albion were still showing some promise and were certainly not out of it when the defining moment of the game occurred. Luke was again getting free of his markers when a strong tackle went horribly wrong. Close by the goal post it was obvious that this was no simple knock but a serious injury.

After a 40 minute break while the paramedics treated Luke the game restarted with the Albion players at first reluctant to play, but then wanting to carry on to do this for Luke.

A few minutes in, Moorside had a free kick which Simon tipped over the bar and from the resulting corner, although Simon made a double save it wasn’t enough to prevent the ball ending up in the back of the net.

Half Time: Albion 2 – 3 Moorside Rangers

The second half started with Albion keen to get back into the game but was soon thwarted by Moorside’s strong No. 16 who crossed the ball to a fellow attacker who popped it into the net. Their No. 16 was a constant menace in the second half but thankfully not all his crosses found their target.

Play continued to be end to end with a good spell of Albion pressure resulting in a corner which found its way to Harrison who finished off the move in great fashion. This game wasn’t over yet.
Albion suffered another blow not long after when James received a knock and had to go off for the rest of the game. His performance in defence had been superb once again.

With a defender down Albion suffered more Moorside pressure but Simon was on hand to help with more double saves, one even raising favourable comments from the Moorside coach. But despite these best efforts another three goals were added to the Moorside total, much to the disappointment of the Albion players.

It was good to see all the Albion players trying their hardest, especially after the loss of Luke. The score line doesn’t truly reflect the performance, albeit against one of the leagues better sides.

Man of the Match – Simon

Source: Dodgy Keeper

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