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Match result

TeamMixed U12 - Vikings
OppositionTad Magnets Red
Kick off11am 07/09/2014
Score1-1

Match report   First game of the season paired us with last years cup winners and champions. The Lions knew that we would be have to be at our best to take anything from the first game and didn’t want to start the season with a loss.

Our game plan from the beginning was to boss the midfield. Ollie, Alfie, George and Andy started across the middle with Ethan, Doug and Simeon in defence. Damian started as the lone striker with Jake in goal.

Things didn’t go to plan and we followed a pattern we always seem to do against the stronger teams and we sat back and they attacked us in numbers looking to gain the upper hand. Tadcaster were strong, almost bully boy tactics but fair and deservedly took the lead from a set piece that bobbled in the box. Their players were lined up and hit the loose ball in the top corner giving Jake no chance.

It felt like we were against the ropes and wave after wave of attacks were pushed against us but the defence were found in good form and resolute. It took a great ‘Schmeichel’ save from Jake who had to make himself big against the opposing striker and deflected the ball wide with his right foot.

Ollie was unlucky not to equalise from a great through ball from Damian but the ball rolled agonisingly wide of the left post into the side netting. George also was unlucky not to score when he was about to shoot inside their 18 yard box but Tadcaster defenders were all over him like a rash and hustled him off of the ball. Tadcaster continued to be strong and showed why they achieved the double last year.

Half time came , we didn’t force their goalkeeper to make any counting saves, there was little communication on the field alas a change was needed. Andy K decided we had to match their midfield strength and pushed Ollie into the centre giving Louis his debut on the left hand side of midfield. Louis made some great runs/touches on the left and will prove to be an astute signing for Fulford and with every game he plays will come into his own, he does however give us a different option to change a game. Andy H used his pace well on the right continuing last season’s mould and we began to look good again as a team.

Alfie and Ollie began the second half denying Tadcaster the opportunity to overrun the midfield. The move proved decisive (if Andy K says so himself lol) when Damian received a through ball five minutes after the break and turned their defenders inside out before coolly placing the ball in the corner beyond the Tadcaster goalkeeper’s reach. 1-1 game on.

Ellis came on and hustled and bustled putting the Tadcaster defenders under pressure, he was effective and this opened the game up causing Tadcaster players to make mistakes. Ellis was brought down just outside the box; Ethan curled the ball a fraction wide. Ollie hit the post twice in the second half from pot shots but we couldn’t add to our second half superiority. Ellis looked fit and sharp and twice out ran the Tadcaster defence forcing the goalkeeper to gather the ball.

With two minutes left with both teams playing well and looking for the win, a shot from a Tadcaster striker looked like going in. Jake made a fantastic save and pushed it over the bar. Brilliant save especially when Andy K thought it was in!

There were some great performances today all over the field; the back three were severely tested and held their own. This match will be one of our toughest games of the season however Jake took the PotM point after his 3 fantastic saves kept the Lions in the game. Jake has vastly improved in the last 12 months and has taken on board the coaches points and now makes the 18 yard box area ‘his’ own and is a fantastic shot stopper.

Well done to all who showed the Lions will be a force to be reckoned with this year. We have a very good squad and choosing a team week in, week out is going to be tough. Andy K and Pete believe we can better last year’s performances of third in the league and cup finalists but displays like today need to be consistent. We look forward to next week’s preliminary 1st round cup match against Heworth. If we win however we will meet Tadcaster again..... but know we can beat them.

Score 1-1 (HT 0-1)
Scorers – Damian 36 mins
PotM – Jake

Manager

Peter Hanson
CaptainSimeon H
Player of the matchJake K


Team stats

PlayerPositionContributionGoalsClean sheetsBookings
Andrew HPlayed full match   
Oliver BPlayed full match   
George BPlayed full match   
Ellis CPlayed full match   
Louis EPlayed full match   
Alfie EPlayed full match   
Damian GDid not play1  
Simeon H   ©Played full match   
Douglas JPlayed full match   
Ethan KPlayed full match   
Jake KPlayed full match   


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