Blown Away....

Monday 4^th April

vs. Scarisbrick Stars 3-6

Team: Ciarán B; Elliot, Joe, Stephen (capt.), Matty; Danny, Josh, Caleb, Adam; Jacob, Seamus. Sub: Tom

With the TMS match postponed due to more heavy rain, the boys' unbeaten run finally came to an end on Monday evening in difficult conditions against a well organised team.

Kicking into a strong wind, they had to work hard from the whistle just to break out of their own half. Jacob, playing just behind Seamus, and Josh were involved from the start but Joe and then Stephen had to be alert at the back in the 2^nd minute.

By playing the ball on the floor, they were able to make progress and Caleb was unlucky to see a typically precise ball run through to the keeper. Scarisbrick took full advantage of the wind in the 6^th minute, however, as Ciarán could only help a speculative shot into the net.

Although the boys were winning more headers than usual – take a bow Stephen, Matty and especially Jacob – they were letting Scarisbrick control midfield by not keeping their shape and Ciarán pushed a 9^th minute corner onto a post as Scarisbrick went hunting for a second.

When he had the chance, Seamus was buzzing around the centre backs and got some reward in the 11^th minute. His shot was saved but a weak clearance fell straight to Adam but the chance came to nothing.

On the 12^th minute they went two behind with a carbon copy of the first goal leaving Ciarán grasping at air but they went straight up the other end and got one back. Excellent midfield play from Josh gave Adam a chance and his rising shot was too good for the keeper.

Three minutes later, a Jacob header, this time in the box, went wide but the defence was back to work a minute later with a Matty header clearing the ball soundly over the crossbar.

Matty was getting involved and his neat touches with Adam and Caleb relieved the pressure on the defence. They survived a scare on the 20^th minute as Jacob headed off the line after a save from Ciarán was steered back at goal. The boys were weathering the pressure, with Ciarán at full stretch to grab a loose ball, and creating half chances at other end, after more positive play from Jacob. They deserved to go in at half-time only one goal down but disaster struck two minutes before the break as Ciarán’s handling let him down and the Scarisbrick forward trampled over him to tap the ball in.

Tom replaced Danny at half time, with Joe moving to the right to try and take advantage of the wind now at their backs. They didn’t have the chance to get back into the game as they went 4-1 down straight from the kick off. With plenty of space suddenly appearing on the left flank, the Scarisbrick winger pushed forward and crossed the ball for the forward – surely standing miles offside – to tap into an empty net.

They then proved that the boys hadn’t learnt the lesson as they extended the lead further in the 34^th minute. Once again too much space on the left made it easy for Scarisbrick although this time they were fortunate to see a scuffed cross pushed home as Elliot did his best to prevent the goal. After 37 minutes, they made it 6-1 as a weak clearance was thumped into the corner of Ciarán’s net.

To their credit, the boys didn’t let their heads drop and continued to take the game to their opponents. Josh moved out wide as Joe went forward. Caleb had a good shout for handball in the area ignored by the ref and then set up Seamus only for his shot to be blocked away.

Elliot, having put everything into a succession of throw-ins all game, had run himself out and was replaced by Danny after 41 minutes. Jacob was now in a more central position and his long range shot forced a save from the keeper, who was the equal of a Seamus rocket moments later.

The gaps on the left were still present and Scarisbrick broke free into plenty of space in the 44^th minute, forcing another save from Ciarán and he was on hand moments later to pounce on the loose ball from the corner. Back on the attack, the boys came close to reducing the deficit in the 46^th minute as Josh created space on the right. His cross fell to Adam, only for his shot to hit the crossbar.

Tom had quietly got on with his job on the right side of the defence in the second half with a series of confident touches and clearances and he was on hand again in the 48^th minute, tracking the break and timing his clearance to perfection.

A minute later, the boys finally got the goal their display in the second half deserved as Josh was on hand to pop the ball through the keeper’s legs after his handling had let him down. On 51 minutes it was 6-3 as Seamus’ controlled volley from Josh’s corner made the scoreline more respectable.

Although they had left the comeback a bit late, the two goals caused some panic in the Scarisbrick ranks and they were happy to see the ball pumped back into the Crosby Stuart half. They regained some composure to force a scrambling stop from Ciarán and when another long ball held up in the wind Tom was on hand to clear up and close out the match.

Credit is due to Scarisbrick for taking better advantage of the strong winds but the quality of the match was not helped by the use of full size goals in these conditions. At times the boys made it too easy for their opponents but they showed great spirit and determination to force their way back into the match. For spells they played the better football  - Scarisbrick had conceded only two goals this season before this match – and it might have been a lot different if one or two decisions had gone their way. They need to take their showing in the last quarter into Saturday’s match and bounce back to winning ways.

Tom was deservedly voted Man of the Match for an assured second half defensive display, his best performance since joining the squad.