Wednesday, 17 December 2008

Match Roundup Saturday 13th December

Sorry for taking so long with this weeks match reports. I think one New Year's resolution could be to get the blog done on the same day as the games.
A horrible wet morning before this week's games but luckily enough the 11:00am kick off meant the rain had stopped in time for kick off. One small, wet and very muddy pitch and one larger one in a bit better condition gave the team a bit of a test this week but they did us proud and gave us some of the most memorable performances we have ever seen.

Heol Hir Black 3 - Lisvane Panthers Orange 0
It's been a while since we played a Lisvane team and and we have always had mixed results in the games against them. This time around the team started brilliantly with Gethin and Tyrone controlling the game from the centre of midfield and Alice making quick attacks down the right wing and putting in cross after cross until Tyrone found the net with a great strike. With Richard and Sam defending well Liam was barely tested in goal in the first half. We piled on the pressure and were soon 2-0 up with Lucas scoring a great goal to mark his return to goalscoring form. The second half started with Kyle on for Lucas and Matt on for Tyrone as they both deserved a rest and had given us a comfortable lead. More great football in the second half with Matt and Kyle getting forward at every opportunity and Alice and Josef attacking down the wings putting crosses in to try to add to the 2-0 lead. We earned the third goal with a great pass from Richard releasing Josef up the left wing who found Matt with a neat pass and Matt cooly finished the move with another well taken goal which finished off any hope Lisvane had of getting back into the game.
Scorer(s): Tyrone 1, Lucas 1, Matt 1
Heol Hir Black 2 - AFC Whitchurch Red 0
After switching to the drier pitch and making a few changes to the starting lineup we started really well against a team we have had some tough games against in the past. An outstanding passing move led to the first goal for Josef in a while which he finished beautifully. Liam's pass out from the defense found Alice on the right wing who played a ball across the middle to Kyle who took it well and played a perfect ball for Josef to run onto and power into the top corner. Some excellent linkup play almost gave us a 2-0 lead before half time when Alice's clever pass set Kyle up for a stunning header which hit the bar and bounced clear. In the second half Whitchurch had a few decent attacks but with Sam on top form in goals and the rock solid partnership of Liam and Matt in defense they didn't really look like scoring. With Gethin on for Tyrone to give him a well earned rest the attacking football continued. A beautiful cross from Gethin found Lucas in space and, as we have come to expect from Lucas, he effortlessly connected with it and found the back of the net rounding off a well deserved 2-0 win.
Scorer(s): Josef 1 , Lucas 1
Heol Hir Black 4- Maindy Corries Red 3
The final game of the day was back on the muddy pitch against a side we havent had the best results against this season. Josef and Alice had a well earned rest after two games playing at 110% down the wings with non-stop running. A bit of a change with Kyle starting on the left and Liam on the right and Matt and Richard protecting Sam in goal. Gethin and Tyrone were outstanding and controlled the centre of the pitch winning tackles and playing great passes out to the wings. One lapse of concentration from a coner gave Maindy a 1-0 lead. Gethin did a great job of lifting the team and within no time Lucas got us level again with another great finish and soon after scored a second to give us a 2-1 lead. Maindy got themselves back in the game with some great football leading to an equaliser which they thoroughly deserved. Just before half time Kyle worked hard to work the ball forward and played a great ball which set up Lucas with a chance for his hat-trick. No surprises really when he got it as there was no way Lucas was going to miss out on a hat-trick especially playing as well as he has this week.. 3-2 up at half time and a thoroughly exciting first half . The second half was more of the same with great football from both sides which went from end to end with shot after shot testing both keeper's but Sam's fingertip saves kept Maindy at bay. Maindy got lucky when a ball coming in put pressure on Liam who did a great job of trying to head it wide of the post but was really unlucky to put it in his own net. 3-3 and only a few minutes left meant this game was looking likely to end in a draw which would have been a fair result for both teams given the amazing football played on such a terrible pitch. With less than a minute left Lucas tested a tired keeper with an accurate long shot which was unlucky not to go in. 30 seconds left according to the ref and just time for one last attack which set Kyle on his way down his favoured right side past defenders and finishing with an un-stoppable shot seconds before the final whistle. A fitting end to an amazing game to watch for both sets of spectators and it was a shame when the final whistle went but it was nice to grab a late winner.
Scorer(s): Lucas 3, Kyle 1
Man of The Match
Every player could easily have won Man of The Match this week with some of the best football we have seen the team play and every player giving 110% effort despite terrible pitch conditions. 5 goals from Lucas, stunning saves from Sam, excellent defending from Matt, Liam and Richard, brilliant tackling and passing from Tyrone and Kyle and non-stop attacks down both wings from Alice and Josef but, for his amazing work rate, insightful passing and brilliant work lifting the team with positive encouragement Gethin claimed this week's award. Great work Gethin well played again this week.

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