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| Lewis F, James H, Frankie B, Ethan I, James E, Alexander R, Tom M, Joseph N. Jack S, Lewis D, James C, Ben T, Joel M (Missing- Charlie M-I, Injured and Josh F, at Aunties) |
Game one saw Ethan in goal, a back two of Lew D and James H, Frankie took the role in the middle with Joseph on the left and James C on the right. Up front Jack led the line.
Scotton started the game brightly, with a corner leading to a header that whistled wide. Scotton wingers got their runs going, with Joseph going close; striking the post and the James C on the other wing having an attempt blocked. Kirby then pressed, only for their attack to be broken up by calm play by James H at the back. Jack was finding space up front and took a great ball in his stride to give the boys a deserved 1-0 lead. Joseph then had a strike saved and then another attack saw Jack get the second - poking the ball home at the far post. Scotton nearly extended their lead; with James C being tackled just as he was about to pull the trigger. The corner was saved and the whistle blew for half time. Ethan had had relatively little to do but had marshalled his defense well to keep a clean sheet.
The first half was all Scotton and there was just a few changes of position saw Lew D push into midfield and Frankie drop to centre half. The second half started fast with Jack so nearly nipping in for his third - the ball just being nipped from his toe at the last second. More good movement from Scotton led to a corner- whipped in by Joseph which Lew D connected with only to see his attempt fly over. Scotton were bossing the game now with some good pass and move football and it was only a matter of time before another breakthrough - with Jack completing his hat trick with another poachers finish. The rest of the boys now wanted to get on the score sheet, with a series of quick fire attempts first from Jospeh and James C which the keeper - who was having a good game - save - and then two from 'Havers' - one just over and one just wide. The corner count to Scotton was racking up but the boys just couldn't find the finish their pressure deserved and the final whistle saw the score stay 3-0. A great attacking performance by the whole team but MOTM went to Jack for holding his position and being in the right place to turn chances into goals.
Game two saw Ethan swap with Alexander who took the keepers jersey. Joel and James E took defensive duty, Tom Manning and Ben Tweed played as wingers with Ethan in the middle. Up front - looking to emulate Jacks hat-trick was Lewis F. Kick off saw the ref slightly behind play due to coffee but with enough of a view to see Kirbys first attack blocked out by Joel for a corner. The boys then got the ball moving, with a quick break from Tom down the wing leading to a corner. James tweed whipped the corner right across the goal but no-one could get the touch needed. Lewis francis then picked up the ball just outside the area and with a quick turn, a few strides and a snap shot saw the ball to fly in and Scotton take a 1-0 lead. Scotton continued to work the wings and shortly after Tom cut in and shot to make it 2-0. Scotton were scoring the goals but Kirby were having their share of the ball - and when they didnt were quick closing down. James Tweed went on a mazy run past three defenders but his cross missed the mark. From the loose ball Kirby broke upfield and defense had to be strong; with James E first in with a strong block and clearance. The last move of the half saw Lew F and James T work well together but they couldn't beat the busy Kirby keeper. Half time and 2-0.
For the second half Alexander took over in the middle with Ethan back between the sticks. Kirby pressed from the whistle, but a god tackle from Joel allowed him to set Tom free but his shot was saved. We then saw the individual dribble of the game with ALexander dancing past at least 4 desparing Kirby challenges to crack his shot in. The keeper looked to have saved well, pushing the ball onto the post. However the ball came back out and Alexander - following up his strike as players always should was first to react to poke home the ball- a well deserved goal from his individual skill. The score was 3-0 but Kirby seemed to find a second wind =- putting the boys under some considerable pressure which saw the boys lose a little bit of their shape and composure. Kirby's work all morning was finally rewarded when then hit the net to make it 3-1 - and this goal really spurred them on and saw Scotton holding on a little and struggling to keep the ball. Ethan had to make two exceptional close range saves - really getting his body behind the ball well. As the match came to the end the boys finally got out of their own half and Tom saw a great effort well saved again by the Kirby keeper. The final whistle and 3-1. Scotton had to dig in at the end and everyone played their part. MOTM for game 2 went to James T for both his positioning and his skills on the ball.
Well done to all the boys and big thanks to the supporters (and Michelle for taking kit clean duties again!)
