Headstone Manor YFC

Match Report - 1st November 2009

The Bs produced their best display of the season to notch a convincing win against Manor Youth. From the final score it looks like a rout but, up to Adam’s goal on 57 minutes, there was only one goal in it. But Manor’s heads went down and they conceded five goals in the last 20 minutes.

This was the first meeting between the teams and it was good to play against such a warm and welcoming club. Manor started well and moved the ball around neatly. They also defended well with determination and fierce but fair tackles. The Bs have been working hard on retaining the ball. They struggled with this at the start but towards the end of the first half clicked into gear producing some excellent flowing moves. In the second half they stepped this up and time and time again showed their quality with great link up play.

The Bs were helped by a great start when a quick pass by Luis picked out Sid who beat off two challenges before sliding the ball home to make it 1-0 after just two minutes. It could have been worse for Manor when they conceded a penalty on nine minutes. From Josh’s throw in CJ went to head the ball and was pushed in the back. Manor felt the decision harsh as often these aren’t given in the box. Jordan, the Bs penalty taker, was substitute. Shomari won the tussle to take the kick but placed his shot just over the bar.

There were chances for both teams this half. Luis had a couple of long range shots, Manor also had some good shots but the half ended with the slender lead for the Bs. At the break Russ switched from centre back, where he’d been commanding, to striker. Joe took over at centre back and Jordan came on at right back. Sid came off so Russ and CJ were the strikers. George replaced Shomari on the left and Adam replaced Francis in centre midfield.

Within two minutes Luis provided the assist again this time for Russ to race on and score with a low range shot. But this time Manor struck back getting behind the defence to shoot past Stephen. With the wind behind them they looked dangerous getting one of their quick players to attack down the right. But they weren’t able to exploit this.

Conor came on in place of Kyle on the right. Adam made a massive impact on the game and to the Bs hold on the game. He was all over the midfield and worked well with Luis winning tackles, closing down and linking up well with his team mates. He got his reward on 57 minutes with a great goal as the Bs swiftly turned defence into attack. From a Manor corner the ball fell to Stephen who quickly fed the ball out and Conor and George worked the ball into the box where Adam tucked it home.

Three minutes later it was 4-1 from another penalty, this time for hand ball. Jordan stepped up and placed it firmly past the keeper into the corner of the net. Shomari came back on on the left wing. George switched to the centre and Luis came off. CJ, who had played really well and went very close with a powerful shot from the right, came off in place of Sid. The Bs were dominating the play now and kept forcing Manor back. Adam worked the ball down the right and sent a powerful cross to the back post. These normally sail away for a throw but Russ was on hand to power it home with a great header at the far post.

Russ soon scored his second hatrick of the season tucking it home from close range and he then came off for CJ to return. In the last two minutes the Bs added two more. Sid was presented with the ball from a loose goal kick and swiftly scored and then CJ finished a great flowing move involving Adam, Jordan, Shomari and Sid who crossed and CJ stretched to slide it home.

There were almost too many contenders for man of the match. All the defenders impressed. The midfield players really buzzed and played as a real unit. But Adam had a major impact that made such a difference when he came on. However, Russ’s hatrick together with his domination at the back in the first half meant he won the award.