Post by redway on May 7, 2010 6:51:11 GMT
Match Report: 6th May 2010:
Leighton Town Youth 1 v 3 NPTFC Lions
Half – Time: 0 - 3
Scorers: Liam Scott 2 and Ross Wheeler (Pen)
A Liam Scott brace and an early Ross Wheeler penalty saw the Lions reinforce their position at the top of this league against league runners up Leighton Town. A tough game played on a difficult pitch at Leighton Town FC but a performance and result for which the players can be proud..
I think everyone was a little surprised by the surface but I suppose understandable given the number of games it has probably had recently. As it was the game was highly entertaining and both sides showed why they are the leading teams at their age group in the area. For the Lions it was nice to start strongly after a few weeks of, at best mediocre 1st halves.
Compliments before I move on to the referee who I think for a young man showed excellent control throughout the game and was decisive and more importantly on the button with almost every decision. Also congratulations to Leighton on their runners up position and had we known a bit earlier about the presentation! of the medals we could have been more active and vocal.
Onto the game and it was clear that we had been well briefed for this encounter as we started at a pace and level of positivity not seen for a while. Early on Ross managed to make a couple of firm and composed interventions and that set him up for a very strong performance at the heart of our defence. I am not going to pick out individuals as the squad tonight to a man played well. However the point I would make is that tonight it was more that the units played well together, hunting in packs down both flanks, the attack working together to unpick the Leighton defence and the back 5 working for each other to keep a high line and danger to a minimum.
The opening goal came after barely 5 minutes when the dangerous Eben managed for the second time to get away down the right flank. Initially thwarted he battled on and with a neat pirouette slid round the defender into the box. Unfortunately his progress was short as he was bundled over and a penalty. Up stepped Ross to place the ball before Alex decided some vital advice needed imparting – I think it went along the lines of “just smash it”. Good news was Ross did smash it right into the bottom corner out of the keeper’s reach- an excellent penalty.
Both sides play football and despite the bobbles they kept trying and Carlton and Brandon had glimpses of space before Luke, Dan B, Brandon and others just shut the door on them. In midfield John and Matty were having strong games and we were able to get Liam and Westy into the game a lot. It was clear they were causing some concern for the home defence and we perhaps could have had more chances than we did before the second goal came. A corner conceded after another burst from Eben was whipped over and as the first header bounced up Liam reacted just before John, to head the ball home.
Two goals up in 20 minutes of the first half for the lions this is dream land. The rest of the half was in truth more about Leighton who had upped their game as you would expect. Patient football interspersed with some direct balls utilising the pace of their front pair, meant we had to be on our guard. Good news was Dan was on his toes and picked up the crosses and the back four kept good discipline and a high line. Credit to John T it may have taken all season but perhaps your hours of drills are finally paying off – lets hope so. One moment of alarm came from a corner when we dithered on a second ball and a Leighton player dragged his shot wide (okay I didn’t pay attention as to who it was!)
With minutes left first half we were still absorbing Leighton pressure when between Luke and Alex we broke up another attack. Luke blocked the run and passed inside to Alex. Luke turned and took the return pass before setting Mitch off down the left and in turn the ball was moved onto Westy. Once again he baffled his defender with his turn and his through ball to Liam set him into space. Defenders closed as he crossed into their box but a quick feint and the keeper was flat footed and Liam clips into the net. Great finish to a good move.
I should imagine the only fear at half time was indulgence but I think everyone knew the quality of the Leighton side so any let up was sure to be punished. As it happened we were strong throughout and there was little of any real alarm. A couple of times Brandon managed to get clear but in wide areas and again the door was slammed shut by a pack of Lions hunting down the ball. We had a few efforts at the other end and should have done better. The Leighton goal when it came was different as it came from just in our half. A long punt looked for the world to be dropping into Dan’s hands but it kept flying and flying and....oh under the bar. Never mind best it happened last night as you are allowed the odd one given Dan has been rock steady all season.
We did rotate the squad second half with players coming on and off and it may have affected our rhythm but I think we had relaxed in our minds which is why we lacked the sharpness of the first half. That was from all the players rather than just the substitutes.
So a good result and thanks to all the Leighton parents and supporters for their kind words of congratulations. We move on to our final two games of the season against AFC Dunstable. Two more tough games against players we know very well. Two more performances like last night and who knows we may have another piece of silverware.
Good hunting.
.
Next game Home v AFC Dunstable.
Leighton Town Youth 1 v 3 NPTFC Lions
Half – Time: 0 - 3
Scorers: Liam Scott 2 and Ross Wheeler (Pen)
A Liam Scott brace and an early Ross Wheeler penalty saw the Lions reinforce their position at the top of this league against league runners up Leighton Town. A tough game played on a difficult pitch at Leighton Town FC but a performance and result for which the players can be proud..
I think everyone was a little surprised by the surface but I suppose understandable given the number of games it has probably had recently. As it was the game was highly entertaining and both sides showed why they are the leading teams at their age group in the area. For the Lions it was nice to start strongly after a few weeks of, at best mediocre 1st halves.
Compliments before I move on to the referee who I think for a young man showed excellent control throughout the game and was decisive and more importantly on the button with almost every decision. Also congratulations to Leighton on their runners up position and had we known a bit earlier about the presentation! of the medals we could have been more active and vocal.
Onto the game and it was clear that we had been well briefed for this encounter as we started at a pace and level of positivity not seen for a while. Early on Ross managed to make a couple of firm and composed interventions and that set him up for a very strong performance at the heart of our defence. I am not going to pick out individuals as the squad tonight to a man played well. However the point I would make is that tonight it was more that the units played well together, hunting in packs down both flanks, the attack working together to unpick the Leighton defence and the back 5 working for each other to keep a high line and danger to a minimum.
The opening goal came after barely 5 minutes when the dangerous Eben managed for the second time to get away down the right flank. Initially thwarted he battled on and with a neat pirouette slid round the defender into the box. Unfortunately his progress was short as he was bundled over and a penalty. Up stepped Ross to place the ball before Alex decided some vital advice needed imparting – I think it went along the lines of “just smash it”. Good news was Ross did smash it right into the bottom corner out of the keeper’s reach- an excellent penalty.
Both sides play football and despite the bobbles they kept trying and Carlton and Brandon had glimpses of space before Luke, Dan B, Brandon and others just shut the door on them. In midfield John and Matty were having strong games and we were able to get Liam and Westy into the game a lot. It was clear they were causing some concern for the home defence and we perhaps could have had more chances than we did before the second goal came. A corner conceded after another burst from Eben was whipped over and as the first header bounced up Liam reacted just before John, to head the ball home.
Two goals up in 20 minutes of the first half for the lions this is dream land. The rest of the half was in truth more about Leighton who had upped their game as you would expect. Patient football interspersed with some direct balls utilising the pace of their front pair, meant we had to be on our guard. Good news was Dan was on his toes and picked up the crosses and the back four kept good discipline and a high line. Credit to John T it may have taken all season but perhaps your hours of drills are finally paying off – lets hope so. One moment of alarm came from a corner when we dithered on a second ball and a Leighton player dragged his shot wide (okay I didn’t pay attention as to who it was!)
With minutes left first half we were still absorbing Leighton pressure when between Luke and Alex we broke up another attack. Luke blocked the run and passed inside to Alex. Luke turned and took the return pass before setting Mitch off down the left and in turn the ball was moved onto Westy. Once again he baffled his defender with his turn and his through ball to Liam set him into space. Defenders closed as he crossed into their box but a quick feint and the keeper was flat footed and Liam clips into the net. Great finish to a good move.
I should imagine the only fear at half time was indulgence but I think everyone knew the quality of the Leighton side so any let up was sure to be punished. As it happened we were strong throughout and there was little of any real alarm. A couple of times Brandon managed to get clear but in wide areas and again the door was slammed shut by a pack of Lions hunting down the ball. We had a few efforts at the other end and should have done better. The Leighton goal when it came was different as it came from just in our half. A long punt looked for the world to be dropping into Dan’s hands but it kept flying and flying and....oh under the bar. Never mind best it happened last night as you are allowed the odd one given Dan has been rock steady all season.
We did rotate the squad second half with players coming on and off and it may have affected our rhythm but I think we had relaxed in our minds which is why we lacked the sharpness of the first half. That was from all the players rather than just the substitutes.
So a good result and thanks to all the Leighton parents and supporters for their kind words of congratulations. We move on to our final two games of the season against AFC Dunstable. Two more tough games against players we know very well. Two more performances like last night and who knows we may have another piece of silverware.
Good hunting.
.
Next game Home v AFC Dunstable.