Men's 2nd Team Vs Old Halesonians 4ths

CoBHC 2s 3 V 2 Old Halesonians 4ths

Goal scorers :-Anthony Truelove, Robin Stanley and Ben Matthews.

The home team started very positively. They put the tentative opposition on the back foot for a solid ten minutes. Lots of crosses into the “D” with the hope of a striker’s last touch. Players got close but unfortunately narrowly missing the powerful crosses. On the next occasion, Anthony did beat the keeper, only for a defender to clear his lines. Buoyed by this the team pushed a little too high, and got caught by a break away. A long ball found an Old Hales’ player unmarked and he drove towards goal, turned the final defender and scored the first goal of the game.

A little shocked, the home team lost a lot of the early advantage and began losing possession and getting turned around for a long period. The team didn’t drop their heads and worked hard to get back in the game. Zach began more runs from deep. He supported the midfield and put power passes into the heart of the visitors’ defence. This soon lead to a few more powerful crosses into the visiting team’s “D” but this time they found players willing to get shots away. The keeper soon made a brilliant one handed save from a powerful shot by Stan as it rose towards the top corner. Then Anthony hit the post with a sweep shot. The pressure was building and Jahed again got a great cross to Anthony just in front on the keeper. He swept a bobbly slow ball between the keeper’s legs and it slowly rolled over the line as if in slow motion!. 1-1 at half time.

The team were non-too happy with their performance as the shape was basically disorganised and lacked discipline. Ian reset a few players’ positions and asked for more confidence on the ball

The second half started like the first and pressure was again on the visitors. A few short corners were won and lots of shots in open play led to close attempts. Matt Kong’s shot was closest going across the face of goal but drifting wide at the last minute. The defence then began having to work much harder as the visitors tried to push back the attacks. The game became more even. Defence working brilliantly did with Edan and Ibrar both having excellent games as always shielded by the ever-present Ian in the centre.

Eventually the home team won another short corner and as the ball was pushed to Stan. He drifted left then right to hit a low drive into the goal taking the home team into the lead for the first time in the game.

Then disaster struck. Time was stopped for a long period as one of the home team players sustained a significant injury resulting in an ambulance being required. Zach, a recognised first aider, stayed with him and Anthony looked out for the Ambulance. The team was trying to reshape itself as two defenders were effectively off the pitch and no substitutes available. Unfortunately, within moments of the restart and not fully up to speed with the formation the visitors took advantage and got an equaliser as there were spaces in the defence. Jack in goal had a relatively quiet game and both goals were unfortunate as he could do little about them. But he kept the team in the game as they tried to reorganise the team, making two telling saves as the visitors sensed an opportunity.

The team were then spurred on by the injured player, whose bravery. pitch-side. as he waited for the ambulance sent a new impetus throughout the home team. The 50/50 balls were being won again, the defence became a unit again, the midfield battled for all the loose balls. Passes became more accurate and the game became more even. With literally one minute left the home team won a short corner as a defender stopped a shot on target by Stan, with his body.  The ball fell to Stan at the push out but his shot was deflected to Ben. He controlled the ball and swept a low drive into the corner to give the team all three points with seconds to spare.