U10 Red vs St Albans City North
Sun 07 Mar 2010, at Greenwood Park, Tippendell Lane, St Albans, AL2 3H
U10 Red 3
St Albans City North 2
Man of the match: Andrew
There is a God.......!
23rd October 1415 Battle of Agincourt
31st October 1805 Battle of Trafalgar
18th June 1815 Battle of Waterloo
7th March 2010 the match at Greenwood Park
When the great historians of the day look back at world events they will be sure to include an unlikely victory by Abbots Youth Red ranking alongside other monumental achievements such as Henry 5ths great victory at Agincourt and Nelson and Wellington whooping the French (as usual). Although we didn’t whoop St Albans City North it certainly felt fantastic to see the Abbots boys record their first league win of the season and haul themselves off the bottom of the Red Division.
A bright but bitingly cold spring morning dawned over Greenwood Park on what was to become a memorable day for Abbots as they were entertained by St Albans City North who were last seasons runners up (by 1 point) to Whetstone and who last year only lost one game. Having been beaten 1 – 0 at the MHG earlier in the season Abbots were looking for revenge. The boys duly obliged with some sparkling goalkeeping (again) from Joshua, a bit of luck and two fine goals.
The opening stages found each team sparring in midfield with Saints threatening with a header which went wide. Abbots pushed up and a lovely through ball to Matt found him one on one with the Saints keeper who hurtled out to make a terrific blocking save. Abbots were encouraged by this and began to exert some non influential pressure (which means we had the ball but couldn’t produce a shot). Saints weren’t having it and hit their stride forcing Joshua to tip one over the bar. A series of corners followed which included Anders clearing one off the line.
Abbots broke the hold and Evan saw his effort well cleared. Matt took a quick throw to Sam who leathered a stinging shot just the wrong side of the post. Abbots produced their best move of the half with Evan breaking out from defence, he found Andrew in space who drilled a cross field ball to Matt deep in the saints half, despite close attention from a saints defender Matt hammered the ball past the haplees keeper 1 -0 Abbots!
Whoever said a team were most vulnerable when they had just scored were right as Abbots switched off and a sharp break from Saints produced a well executed goal to level the score. Saints were in the ascendency and forced Joshua to make two fine saves to keep the Abbots goal intact whilst a battle raged in midfield with Liam and Evan working overtime covering back. Abbots clawed their way back with Tom and Andrew going close.
Half Time 1 – 1
Abbots looked sprightly as Evan forced a good save from the keeper. Saints hit back and the defence were straining under pressure with Liam running the length of the pitch to make a goal saving challenge. Just as we thought the storm had been weathered a teeny defensive error lead to Saints sneaking a goal 1 – 2 Saints.
Abbots hit back winning a corner, confusion reigned in the Saints box as they could only clear for another corner. Matt drove in another fabulous corner which was neatly headed in by a Saints defender 2 – 2 …… then, the agony of hope!
The thought crossed the teams mind that we could win this one. Joshua made another cracking save, Sam, Will and Daniel were throwing themselves into everything to defend the status quo. With time evaporating Abbots drove forward and won another corner. Matt flung another one in and the Saints keeper (marked by Tom) tried in vain to make a healthy contact to clear the ball which he succeeded in doing only as far as Anders who popped a volley, which bisected the defence, neatly into a warm and welcoming goal 3 – 2 Abbots
Abbots saw out a last few nervy minutes to record their first league win of the season, a splendid result, well done to all the boys.
Next game is at home to Whetstone Cougars in the League cup 11am KO
Man of the match: Andrew
The crowd: 15 - thank you
Squad: Joshua, Matt, Will, Sam, Andrew, Thomas, Liam, Daniel & Evan Written by Tim Denyer