A Game Too Far

Monday 19th April

vs. Silcox Villa 1-3

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

The boys were well beaten in a weary display as a punishing schedule finally caught up with them.

Silcox were pushing them back from the start, and Stephen took a knock in the 2^nd minute clearing a corner, being replaced by Jacob with Josh dropping into defence. The changes probably didn’t help in the 4^th minute as they went a goal down. A missed clearance left Silcox with loads of space on the right and, with Ciarán B in two minds in dealing with the cross, the forward was left with an easy tap-in.

Silcox were looking to increase the lead and Ciarán B dealt more confidently with a long range effort. It was the 12^th minute before the boys put some passes together as Seamus, Caleb and Adam combined, with the winger’s cross touched just wide by Seamus.

The forward was working hard as usual but was having no luck amongst the big Silcox centre backs and the defence just got to Caleb’s ball before him on the 16^th minute. Moments later, Adam weaved down the left flank only for the keeper to be first to his cross.

Ciarán B had to be alert as the bounce deceived another head and Silcox got in with a shot on goal. Trying to freshen up the display, Joe went forward with Danny moving into the right wing slot after 18 minutes and the boys then enjoyed a period of pressure but could not force the equaliser.

Although a Josh free kick in the 21^st minute, awarded for handball after a poor goal kick, was cleared, they kept the pressure up and Caleb’s shot minutes later was pushed around the post by the keeper. Matty went close at the near post from the corner but was soon in action back at the other end, this time to head clear.

The boys were going forward as half time approached, as Josh’s long range effort bounced in front of the keeper who could only scramble it away and an excellent corner form Caleb was too good for attack and defence and ran away to safety.

Stephen had recovered to take up his central defensive position in the second half, with Danny and Joe taking a breather as Ciarán S also came on to support Seamus. The changes pepped up the forwards straight away as Seamus set Adam away, only for his shot to be deflected with the keeper palming it onto Seamus’ head, who had no time to react.

With Silcox heading a run of corners clear in the 30^th minute, the boys were pushing for the equaliser and it nearly came a minute later as a delicate ball from Caleb gave Seamus a free run. With a touch, he steadied himself only to see the keeper block the shot on goal.

They still had to be alert at the back, and Stephen and Elliot combined to clear the ball. As Silcox came back at them, Josh headed clear then followed up to win the ball in the challenge. The boys were struggling to keep hold of the ball in midfield, with Silcox seeming to pick up the ball with ease from every clearance.

Ciarán S set Adam away in the 39^th minute, only for Adam’s shot to fall straight to the keeper. A minute later, the boys went two goals down as Silcox found lots of space down the right and the cross was met by an unmarked forward at the near post.

On the 42^nd minute, the boys had a chance to get a goal back when Josh was brought down in the box. Adam stepped up to take the penalty, only to see the ball rasp off the crossbar. No sooner had they suffered one heartbreak, they went three behind as another ball went straight through the middle, leaving Ciarán B with no chance as the defender rifled home.

With a quarter of the match left, further changes were made as Joe and Danny came back on for Tom and Jacob. The boys fought back as, after Caleb’s cross-field ball opened up the pitch, the Silcox goal had a charmed life as a series of shots were blocked in a scramble.  As Silcox brought the ball out, the referee was on the spot to see the feigned injury from Adam’s high foot and gave the ball back to the boys – not everything they see on Match of the Day should be copied!

The boys were still second to the ball in the middle of the park, though, and Ciarán B was on hand to make a fine save in the 50^th minute. Caleb made way for Tom for the final six minutes but it was a great run down the left wing from Adam, hurdling some desperate challenges, which nearly brought the boys a goal. Another cracking corner from Jacob then flew through the crowded box with nobody able to get a touch.

Tom made some good block tackles and was on hand with Elliot to clear the lines, as was Matty to bring it out from in front of the goal as Silcox attacked one more time. On the break, Josh, Ciarán S and Seamus forced a corner and there was Man of the Match Matty on hand at the back post to bundle it over the line for a late consolation goal.

The boys are the only team in the top half of the table who have played back-to-back matches for the last three weeks. Combined with all the other activities of an average 9-10 year old, it is easy to understand why they have run out of steam over the last few games. This tired display probably saw their title chances disappear into the dust of another grassless Hightown pitch but they should be very proud of all they have achieved since Christmas.

With the TMS match having been postponed, the boys have the weekend to rest, eat plenty of Easter eggs and come back ready to finish the season in style.