Greenfields U16's 3 Moordown Under 16's 2
Date: Sunday 16th March 2014
Venue: King George V Playing Fields, Ferndown
If last time out (the 6-1 defeat to Bournemouth Sports) was another indication of our highly fluctuating season, with it's incredible peaks and troughs, today's magnificent win and performance against champions Moordown (this time on our own turf; what is it about today's opponents that brings out the best in us?), I felt, laid down a new marker in our season; a moment where all the hard work, all the ups and downs, all the highs and lows, came together and sent out a message that proclaimed 'we are a team to be reckoned with'. As assistant coach Jamie said after the match, we've found our level and now we can't let it drop. I don’t think we will.
As early as the 5th minute, we stamped our authority on the match and never let go of the reigns from there. Jeremy, whose physical presence and tireless running (up to the point where his hamstring could bear no more!) was a huge thorn in Moordown's side all afternoon, powered on to a through ball, brushed aside two challenges, and bore down on goal, emphatically finishing low into the net. 1-0, and all of us on the sidelines thought 'it's just a case of how many'......er......ok, not quite, more a case of 'how long to go?!' But we of little faith! This is the new Greenfields model; and to show that the opening goal was no flash in the pan, on 10 minutes, Sam was sent clear, only to see his shot saved, but gleefully ramming home the rebound to send us in to a 2-0 lead, and very much into uncharted waters. But we didn't look out of place.
Yes, Moordown rallied. Why wouldn't they? They are not champions for nothing. Jake made two fine and notable saves in this period, the first on 15 minutes, low to his right from close range, and the second on 20 minutes from a long range effort. When our defence was finally breached on 25 minutes - a long cross from the left eluding Charlie's leap and falling to their striker who struck a sweet half volley into the bottom left hand corner - we treated the impostor of disaster just the same. No, we were not about to lose our heads.
2-1 at the break then, and more of the same please boys. They didn't disappoint. On 50 minutes, we were awarded a free kick just outside the area. Seb and Macca had a word with each other and had obviously cooked up something. Seb duly produced a deft chip over the wall for Macca to run on to, and he was duly upended by the panicked defender. The sight of the referee pointing to the spot, was a joy to behold; and Blessings never looked like missing it. 3-1, and this was dreamland!
We defended as though our lives depended on it. Just ask Charlie who was on the receiving end of a punch from keeper Jake (next time the ball, please Jake!) and was out for the count for 5 minutes. We did concede a second when Tom P upended Greenfields old boy Harry in the area (the penalty duly dispatched with ease), but again we didn't let it bother us.
Everyone deserves a mention, aside from those already included above; substitute Michael, who hasn't had a huge amount of playing time, came on with 15 minutes to go and ran his heart out, tackled and tracked back, and made some important passes; Tom M at right back, normally a right winger, was excellent in his new role; Blessings protected the back 4 with utter determination; Seb's vision and pace, as well as unrelenting hard work, was superb; Matt completely commanding at the centre of defence, and skillfully assisted by Tom P with his pace and guile; Charlie was coolness personified, even if nearly decapitated!; Alex drove the team on from midfield; Pa Madou made an utter nuisance of himself as a late sub; Luke ran and ran for the team, also as a second half sub; and spare a thought for Paul, ruled out with a hamstring injury and a real stalwart for the team in recent months, but who still wanted to support from the sidelines. Finally, a word for manager Mick too. He set up the team superbly and used the subs well.
No doubt about it, a team performance that will live long in the memory, and a great result to boot. Bring it on!
Date: Sunday 16th March 2014
Venue: King George V Playing Fields, Ferndown
If last time out (the 6-1 defeat to Bournemouth Sports) was another indication of our highly fluctuating season, with it's incredible peaks and troughs, today's magnificent win and performance against champions Moordown (this time on our own turf; what is it about today's opponents that brings out the best in us?), I felt, laid down a new marker in our season; a moment where all the hard work, all the ups and downs, all the highs and lows, came together and sent out a message that proclaimed 'we are a team to be reckoned with'. As assistant coach Jamie said after the match, we've found our level and now we can't let it drop. I don’t think we will.
As early as the 5th minute, we stamped our authority on the match and never let go of the reigns from there. Jeremy, whose physical presence and tireless running (up to the point where his hamstring could bear no more!) was a huge thorn in Moordown's side all afternoon, powered on to a through ball, brushed aside two challenges, and bore down on goal, emphatically finishing low into the net. 1-0, and all of us on the sidelines thought 'it's just a case of how many'......er......ok, not quite, more a case of 'how long to go?!' But we of little faith! This is the new Greenfields model; and to show that the opening goal was no flash in the pan, on 10 minutes, Sam was sent clear, only to see his shot saved, but gleefully ramming home the rebound to send us in to a 2-0 lead, and very much into uncharted waters. But we didn't look out of place.
Yes, Moordown rallied. Why wouldn't they? They are not champions for nothing. Jake made two fine and notable saves in this period, the first on 15 minutes, low to his right from close range, and the second on 20 minutes from a long range effort. When our defence was finally breached on 25 minutes - a long cross from the left eluding Charlie's leap and falling to their striker who struck a sweet half volley into the bottom left hand corner - we treated the impostor of disaster just the same. No, we were not about to lose our heads.
2-1 at the break then, and more of the same please boys. They didn't disappoint. On 50 minutes, we were awarded a free kick just outside the area. Seb and Macca had a word with each other and had obviously cooked up something. Seb duly produced a deft chip over the wall for Macca to run on to, and he was duly upended by the panicked defender. The sight of the referee pointing to the spot, was a joy to behold; and Blessings never looked like missing it. 3-1, and this was dreamland!
We defended as though our lives depended on it. Just ask Charlie who was on the receiving end of a punch from keeper Jake (next time the ball, please Jake!) and was out for the count for 5 minutes. We did concede a second when Tom P upended Greenfields old boy Harry in the area (the penalty duly dispatched with ease), but again we didn't let it bother us.
Everyone deserves a mention, aside from those already included above; substitute Michael, who hasn't had a huge amount of playing time, came on with 15 minutes to go and ran his heart out, tackled and tracked back, and made some important passes; Tom M at right back, normally a right winger, was excellent in his new role; Blessings protected the back 4 with utter determination; Seb's vision and pace, as well as unrelenting hard work, was superb; Matt completely commanding at the centre of defence, and skillfully assisted by Tom P with his pace and guile; Charlie was coolness personified, even if nearly decapitated!; Alex drove the team on from midfield; Pa Madou made an utter nuisance of himself as a late sub; Luke ran and ran for the team, also as a second half sub; and spare a thought for Paul, ruled out with a hamstring injury and a real stalwart for the team in recent months, but who still wanted to support from the sidelines. Finally, a word for manager Mick too. He set up the team superbly and used the subs well.
No doubt about it, a team performance that will live long in the memory, and a great result to boot. Bring it on!
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