MK City 2 v 3 NPTFC u12`s.

[darren2]

All,

The U12`s were back in action today, playing at Mk City, first of all despite the result, MK City today were very good and deserved more from this game, they worked hard and took the game to us when ever they could, so well done.

A more detailed report will no doubt follow, but we had to work hard, Jo Kennedy will be issued with a shoot on goal policy, well done to you Jo for your very generous team play !!, well done to Scott & Lewis for getting your goals, MOM wasn`t easy today, there were a few of you who could have taken it.

Boys we still have alot of work to do, nothing will be easy going into the last 4 games of the season, work hard, play hard and remember you are a good team and its team work and team spirit that will make the difference.

Darren.

[paul]

Match Report, MK City Lions 2 v 3 Newport lions

Turned up at the Pitch and from the comfort of the warm car looked out at the view which resembled a wet spring day – what we didn't realise was that overnight the Arctic circle had extended itself down to include Milton Keynes and as such we were to spend the next hour and half freezing our proverbials off – AARH!!

So – onto the match, and straight from Kick off excellent play from Tyler “Chopper” Prain, Nathan “Nine Lives” Clarke, and “Charlie Farley” Holman-Patey resulted in “Chopper” having the first shot at goal only to see it saved. A corner followed and a goal mouth mellee resulted but again no goal.
All I can guess is that all this pressure set the guys thinking were gonna give city a right tonking however The MK city Lions are a good outfit and play with a real competitive but fair attitude and it was this, coupled with an excellent cross that found City Lions 1-0 up on 6 minutes – Doh!!

6th min - City 1 – 0 Newport

The Newport lads went a bit wobbly following this and the game developed into an end to end affair with both teams having chances and it wasn't until the 16th Minute that some very neat work started by “Chopper” and then progressed superbly by “Lightening” Lewis Britnell was ended by Scottie “The Hottie” Howkins who finished sublimely to level it up at 1-1.

16th min - City 1 – 1 Newport

Game on now – a couple of changes with “Revved up” Reeve Furness and “Nine Lives” leaving the pitch for a breather to be replaced by “President” Joe Kennedy and Edgar “Diaby” Adekoya respectfully didn't much change the nature of the game – not that they played badly, on the contrary in fact but it was just the game was was one of those really tight affairs all first half with neither our passing game or City's more direct efforts creating any real advantage yet everyone was working really hard.

Some more chances came our way – The President saw a shot go just wide and had a cracking effort saved and then, following some fabulously creative wing work (nice step over matey) by Jamie “Tosh” Latarche, “Lightening” had his shot saved on the line. Us MADS were beginning to wonder how this game could end up for in between the opportunities above City also had there chances too and we would have been sunk if it wasn't for the truly excellent “Stone Mason” Tofts in goal who was once again making himself big and stopping everything that came his way.

Half time then and 1-1 and everyone rushed off (well I did anyway) to go and find a coat or blanket that might help delay the onset of Hypothermia – I had already given up with efforts to save toes, fingers and other extremity's (Careful – it's my nose I am thinking of) getting Frostbite – Sherpa Tensing, Scott of the Antarctic, Double Ard Roger and even the ruddy Yeti have never been so cold!!

Banter wasn't allowed at half time – 'twas cancelled to to the weather - so straight on with the game:

Second half and Newport set off at a pace – The backs of “the Poet”, Dylan Cunningham, Scott “Bites yer legs” Leech, “Cool Hand” Callum Quinn - Hudson and “Tosh” provided superb passed ball out of defence to the midfield of “Charley Farley”, Diaby, “Nine Lives, “Revved up” and “The president”, who in turn were not only creating chances but also trying to take chances for the forwards – “The Hottie” and “Lightening”.

So a great start – “The President” had a great shot saved, “The Hottie” put a cross over to Lightening and that was also saved – surely it was just a matter of time – it was!, as on the 5th minute “The Hottie” put it in the net only for it to be unfortunately, but quite rightly ruled offside.
It appeared the Newport players were now on top and in charge – or so they thought but as always in life when you think you're doing well you get a swift kick in the undercarriage or two in Newport's case. In the very next minute the very quick city forward had not one but two “1 on 1's” with our Stone Mason in goal – Now a lesser keeper would have folded but not Mason, he made himself big, positioned himself perfectly and saved them both – simply monumental Mason!!

City Followed this up with a free kick that the stone Mason also saved before in the 11th minute “the President” slotted the ball across to lightening for him to smash it into the back of the net and give our frozen bodies something to cheer – great goal boys.

11th min - City 1 – 2 Newport.

More chances followed as Newport were finally starting to dominate – “The Poet” and “Tosh” were bustling down the wings, on the 15th Minute “The Hottie” went just wide with a long range diagonal lob and in the 16th minute “Chopper” was felled but advantage played and the result was a goal from “the Hottie” as he pounced on a free bouncing ball and slotted it in with his left. The ref decided that in collecting the ball his feet were too high and so the goal was disallowed much to his consternation!!

17th minute “Chopper” went off for a break (and to recover from the challenge) thus allowing “Nine lives” to re enter the fray and almost immediately he had a good shot saved while a minute later “the Hottie” had a penalty claim dismissed.

Anyway, what followed was some excellent play as the forwards all had excellent chances created for each other by great passing – “The President”, “The Hottie” and “Lightening”, all of whom are deadly individuals and perhaps could have taken a shot or two themselves all provided chances for each other but a combination of City's athletic keeper and the woodwork kept the ball out.

Were we going to rue not taking advantage of these chances? It felt that way for no sooner had Darren manager said to the subs “I bet they go up our end and score in the last few minutes” than they did – total Pants!!

27th Min - City 2 – 2 Newport.

What happened now was just so sweet – following the kick off “The Hottie” received the ball via "the president" and "Cool Hand"on the right hand side and as the keeper came out to the corner of the box to close him down he tried the same long range diagonal chip-cum-lob as earlier in the match but this time is sailed in to the back of onion sack. Yippee or words to that effect!!

28th Min - City 2 – 3 Newport.

Can't remember the last minute and a half so the final whistle blew and we went away with all three points – loverly.

Summary:

Blimey – hard work on a freezing cold day but 3 points never goes amiss – Well done Boys!!
I am sure Darren manager will have something to say at training about never underestimating your opposition however there were signs today that the passing game is coming into bud and when it does blossom in full Newport's lions will really roar!!

Finally – managers man of the match was a tough one – all the players put in a shift but “The President” Joe Kennedy was simply outstanding so it quite deservedly went to him.

Definitely finally - You will be embarrassed to hear that the quiz team once again embraced mid table mediocrity as we rolled in 4th at last Friday nights quiz evening – we had a good laugh and a few beers though on the way so if any of you wish to join us then please feel free!!