vs. Scarisbrick 0-3
Team: Ciarán B; Elliot, Josh, Matty, Stephen (capt.); Joe, Danny, Caleb, Adam; Jacob, Seamus. Sub: Ciarán C.
When this fixture was published, the boys’ first 11 a-side match, everybody took heart since their opponents had been put to the sword in October. Well, this was Scarisbrick, Jim, but not as we know it: a completely different team, in a different kit, playing well together. The ball marked “Southport Under 10s” and the SAFC hi-viz jacket on a supporter were a bit of a giveaway…
The weather finally reflected the name of the blog and so, with all this in mind, the boys should not be too disappointed by their performance. On a pitch so much bigger than they have been used to, it took until the second half for them to begin to exploit the greater space out wide.
The first half was a scrappy affair, although Danny and Joe linked well in the 4th minute with Joe sending in a deep cross. Ciarán B was called into action after 5 minutes as Scarisbrick broke on their favoured left side, and he was out again two minutes later to block away another chance. The boys went a goal down after 12 minutes after a defensive mix-up left Ciarán off his line and the ball was lobbed into the corner of the net.
Although Caleb was working hard to find space in midfield, the boys were struggling to link defence and attack. They were not helped by a cynical challenge by the Scarisbrick captain that left Joe in a heap but it went unnoticed by the referee.
On his first game back after injury, Joe lasted until the 21st minute before being replaced by debutant Ciarán C. Going up front with Danny moving to wide right, he was straight into the action, forcing a corner. An excellent Caleb cross then fell to Jacob but his shot was saved.
Adam had struggled to find the ball in space wide on the left but good work in the 23rd minute forced another corner. Ciarán B’s keeping had been confident in the first half, with such a big goal behind him, and he finished the half in action again, blocking away another break.
The boys went a further goal behind straight from the restart, as the ball went directly to the unmarked red-headed forward. The referee seemed to be signalling for offside – it wouldn’t have been the first time this forward was in an illegal position – but the goal was allowed.
The boys kept working hard, with Danny looking to get wide on the right and attack at every opportunity. He lined up well with Jacob, the pair getting Seamus into the box but the defence held strong. Caleb was continuing to work hard in midfield, looking comfortable with the ball at his feet and getting his pass away under pressure and Jacob and Danny profited from his work.
Ciarán C was also putting in a good display up front on his first start and his good cross in the 10th minute from the left gave Seamus a headed chance that was blocked away. Five minutes later, neat work in midfield left him with a run on goal. The Scarisbrick keeper hesitated, leaving Ciarán C with a chance but the resultant collision left the goalie in a heap and the Crosby forward with a mouthful of mud!
Three minutes later and the boys went three down as once again Scarisbrick found space on their left. Ciarán B did enough to put the forward off a minute later to ensure they didn’t extend their lead.
The boys finished the game going forward with both Adam and Danny finding space on each flank and Caleb continuing to show determination in midfield but the chance in front of goal never came.
There were plenty of positives to take from this first match on a full size pitch. Ciarán B was not overawed by the task, both full backs, Elliot and Stephen, held their shape and Matty and Josh put in some last ditch challenges. Caleb adapted well to the extra space and took responsibility for the corners with great effect – sadly nobody got on the end of them. Joe, Danny and Adam were looking for opportunities to get wide throughout the game and Jacob, Seamus and Ciarán C ran themselves into the ground up front. However, they need to talk to each other more on the pitch – be as noisy during the game as you are before and afterwards, boys! The Man of the Match award was given to Elliot, who again gave a solid display, slowly making the right back berth look his.
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