Headstone Manor YFC

Match Report - 27th May 2007

The Bs first match on the tour was against the only Spanish team in the group. The pitch looked perfect – where was the mud, divots, puddles and slopes we were used to – it was just a bit slippery in places following the previous night’s thunderstorm.

Penya looked a big strong team and fielded some over age players and had four substitutes. The Bs had no subs but had eleven players ready for action, smartly kitted out in their brand new yellow strip.

In the end the lack of subs and the heat made the difference as the Bs wilted towards the end. But they produced a performance to be proud of which drew rich praise from their families who supported them superbly.

Penya had more of the ball in the first half but the Bs competed really well. It was very tight with the keepers rarely troubled and a goal by Penya the only difference at the break. The half time break was unexpectedly brief and Penya got a cracking start to the second half with a goal barely 20 seconds after the restart.

But the Bs fought back and produced two great moments. Early in the half Luis Menses Zerpa picked up the ball on the left of the area, fought his way past a couple of challenges, looked up and shot high over the keeper into the net. It was Luis’s first goal of the season and his dad celebrated with a loud klaxon that echoed round the ground.

Shortly after Penya made it 1-3 then it was Shomari Bridgewater’s turn to strike. Collecting a through ball 45 yards from goal he raced away from the chasing defenders, rounded the keeper and calmly slotted the ball home. The klaxon rang out, the Bs fans cheered loudly. The boys continued to work their socks off but as Penya made use of their subs the Bs lungs and legs ran out of a gas and two late goals sealed a 2-5 win.

There were good performances by all the B’s against a team who were used to the conditions, were physically much stronger, had several players who were much older than 13 and had four subs which they used to good effect.