Game 1
The first game was a resounding success for the Scorchers, with a well organised team commanding much of the game to deliver a thrilling 2-1 win over the Saints.
With Dan running the midfield with Josh and George supported by Jack running rampant up front it was only a surprise that the Scorchers only scored 2 goals, but what crackers they were. The first was a combined effort with George feeding the ball forward to Dan Wetherill who slotted home.
There followed more pressure by Scotton as Max took a throw in, well controlled by Josh before it found it’s way to George who had several attempts at goal which culminated in a fine save from the Saints goalie.
It wasn’t all one way and Ben in goal was called upon to make a number of fine saves.
The second half got off to a cracking start. George fired in from the right wing but the Saints goalie couldn’t hold the ball and it fell for Dan to fire in a blistering shot with a possible touch ion its way in from Jack Chisem.
There then followed renewed pressure from Beckwithshaw as the Scorchers lost a bit of composure and shape allowing the Saints to camp in our half. The defence remained rock solid though as it had throughout the game with two pillars of Sam and Max combining superbly to keep Beckwithshaw at bay.
The end of the game was end to end stuff, which saw Dan have a shot go just over the post, and the Saints hitting the post at the other end. A nail biting finish was set up when under pressure to clear George fired the ball past his own goalie, Ben to make it 2-1 at the final whistle.
Game 2
This was a game we were unlucky to lose, despite a first 5 minutes during which Beckwithshaw dominated and took the lead. Form then on though the e Scorchers kept pace with Beckwithshaw. With George now in goal, Max in roving midfield-defence role supported by Jonah and Ben, a midfield of Harry and Owen and a lone Elliot up front the team enjoyed a fantastic first half. Max proved to be a power house in the midfield, defending and attacking. Elliot had a couple of good chances saved, whilst Jonah and Owen made numerous key tackles to keep the game alive.
For the second half George switched with Dan and moved in to strike. An early attack by Beckwithshaw was thwarted by pressure from Jonah forcing a shot to go wide. Jonah started a good move passing the ball forwards as the Scorchers pressed on the attack only to see the ball go out for a corner. When the Scorchers goal came, it was a belter. George gained possession deep in his own half, ran through the Beckwithshaw team, looked up, sighted on goal and scored! 1-1.
Again the game ended with end to end running, frenzied tackling from Max , Ben, Harry, Jonah and Owen and George having a couple of shots failing to go in. A final shot by the Saints resulted in a fine save by Dan who could only watch as Beckwithshaw followed up to scoop the loose ball in to the net. 1-2 the final score.
Game 3
The third game was just as thrilling as the first. This time Sam took the roving role in midfield with Dan, supported by Owen and Elliot in defence, Harry in goal and Josh up front with Jack.
Despite a couple of early Scotton attempts at goal including a great effort from Josh, good defending from Owen and Elliot Beckwithshaw mounted a a great attack that required Harry in goal to pull of a fab save but couldn’t control and the Saints striker swept in from close range. 0-1.
Keeping their heads up Scotton pushed forwards and Jack had a shot crash off the post. A corner taken by Josh for Dan to sweep the ball wide of the net, followed by another wide attempt from Elliot. Then came the move of the game. Dan using great skill passed the ball down the left wing to Sam on the bye line who fired in the ball low and hard across goal where the waiting Jack Chisem turned the ball in to the net with a simple first touch 1-1.
The second half and Owen made way for Ben in defence. The boys kept up the pace despite the heat with lots of great passing on both sides. However, the pressure began to mount and Beckwithshaw scored to make it 1-2. Despite great defending from Ben and Elliot and a tireless midfield effort from Sam and Dan, Scotton couldn’t prevent a third goal from Beckwithshaw to finish the game at 1-3.
Man of the match went to Max for his efforts in the first 2 games and to Jack Chisem for his brilliant first goal for the Scorchers. But this shouldn’t take away from the other personal performances put in by the other team members. Well done.
