Its a chill wind... - Jaguars battling performance

 

Altrincham, where the boys were playing and the (freezing) wind came sweeping down across the plane! It was the Jaguars who were off the quicker with Robbie turning on a sixpence and put Steph through but the goalie made a good save. Shortly after Robbie saw his shot pushed just wide for a corner. Altrincham came into the game but Zaki was the usual giant in defence, Steph then put a great ball through to Harry who turned and shot just wide. The crowd thought the Jaguars had made the breakthrough when, following a corner, there was a goal mouth scramble with several last gasp stops by a fragile defence but Altrincham broke straight back and were one on one with the goal looming. Oliver bravely ran out and tackled to stop a certain goal and earned a free kick. There was then some brilliant interplay through our midfield and attack that deserved a goal but then Zaki was back in action with a crucial tackle – it was an enthralling game. It took a sublime goal from Harry to break open a tough Altrincham defence – nearer the half way line than the goal, Harry lobbed the ball high into the air. The crowd were wondering what the heck he was playing at when the ball dropped down shapely, scrapped the underside of the bar and the goalies fingertips and slipped into the net. What a corker!

 

Sam came on a the start of the second period but limped off more or less straight away after a fierce tackle. Oliver made a good clearance and Tadiwa came back into defence and made some great tackles. Steph found Robbie with a superb free kick but the shot was well saved. Further pressure from the Jaguars followed with Robbie and Harry coming close. Then disaster, Altrincham drew level with a well-taken effort just before the referee blew for the end of the second period. The game was well set up for a thrilling finale.

 

Altrincham came very strongly and Zaki, the recovered Sam and Tadiwa had to work hard to keep them out. The Jaguars gave as good as they got however at the other end and some nice 1-2’s came very close and JackC showed some strong runs through. It was a really tense third period with both teams creating good chances and defending well but then the Jaguars conceded two very quick goals and had very little time to respond. Despite Robbie’s attempt at his own looping shot coming close, the Jaguars could not find another goal and can consider themselves extremely unlucky to lose this enthralling match.

 

Man of the Match – Harry for his superb loop the loop goal

Silver – Oliver for his courageous tackle save 

Bronze – JackC for some good runs up field.