The big boys of Baxter were coming and we had the ice packs ready. Last time they had beaten us 7-0 including shots from half way. Even though we had a big pep talk before the game and clogged up the field by playing 9 aside, Baxter started the game better and went quickly 1-0 up. After they scored another goal we started to play better and it was a pretty even contest. Campbell and Oliver H showed the way by disrupting Baxter's play. Lucas was clearing the ball as if he had not missed any game and Xavier had a couple of good runs and was unlucky not to score. Deservedly (but a bit lucky) we pulled one back before half time after a cross from Joel bounced of one of their players into the goal. At half time the secret weapon came out - the combination of fruit and lollies. It certainly did the trick again as the team started the second half with fire in the belly. Oliver DR ran straight at the ball and Will put pressure on from the front. After a phase of good pressure, Damiano scored his (weekly) goal and an upset was brewing. Baxter responded and started to put more and more pressure on as we were forced backwards. Charlie, who played as an old fashioned sweeper even though he was playing in the midfield, the big boot of Marley and desperate clearing from Joel kept the them at bay for most. When Baxter did come through, they found Xavier in their way. For the first time in goals for the U9 he was unbeatable. Multiple good diving saves and with the help of at times frantic team mates it was too much for Baxter to breach. It was a real fighting but also good playing effort of the team to get the draw with proud parents at the side line.
Congratulations to Joel on his "Most Valuable Player" award for last week’s game. Joel has great ball control and reads the play very well putting himself more than once in the line of fire.
GO STINGRAYS!
The score ended up 2-2
Scorers: Joel and Damiano
No comments:
Post a Comment