Match: Midland Junior Premier League Match 1 – JS Soccer 11 vs 0 Redditch Utd

Date: Saturday 13th September 2008

Report: (By Tim Delaney)

Welcome to the big world of Saturday football!!

That was the message today as the lads were taught a footballing lesson by their Bristol based opposition JS Soccer in this first match of the season in the Midland Junior Premier League.

After our longest trip of the season the lads were in good spirits & noticeably excited about what lay ahead & indeed started the match the brighter team with Max & Brad linking well to fashion a half chance that unfortunately went narrowly wide. JS Soccer were shocked into action by this early assault on their goal & immediately upped their game playing with extreme confidence & quality, picking their passes & involving most players in their team & within 10mins they were 3 goals to the good after neat moves cut through the heart of the Reds team & strikes of the highest class left Ross little chance in the Reds goal.

It wasn't all JS though with the Redditch lads doing their best to get back into the game & trying to pick each other out in the midfield with Brad, Nick & George D working hard & occasionally stringing together some decent passes but the midfield battles were being won by JS as they played in a 4-4-2 formation overpowering the Reds 4-3-3 formation. Charlie, Max & Dan were almost stranded upfront as the ball never seemed to reach them & time after time the JS defence were quicker to the ball. Shaley came on as sub for Dan after his tireless work upfront & he was immediately in the thick of the action trying to win the ball & move it forward but the Reds were frustrated at every turn. The back line of Ben Mc, Matt, Sam & Huddy were doing their best to stem the flow of attacks with decent, timely tackles & clearances to relieve the pressure on Ross's goal & with Ross coming off his line quick to collect & good kicks clear they managed, at times, to break up the play but their efforts were ultimately in vain as the midfield battle was lost & the pace of the JS forwards split the defence on numerous occasions allowing them to cruise to a 7 vs 0 half time lead.

Half Time Score:  JS Soccer 7 vs 0 Redditch Utd

The formation was changed at half time with the Reds now lining up in a more traditional 4-4-2 in an effort to try & counter their opponents midfield dominance & as in the 1st half they started the 2nd half brighter than their opponents with more possession in the middle third, with Shaley, Nick, Ben N & George D linking well in patches. Matt had moved to left back with Sam & Huddy occupying the centre back positions & 'Man of the Match' Ben Mc at right back & with Max and Charlie dropping deeper to win ball the balance & shape looked a little better. As much as the Redditch lads huffed and puffed though they couldn't break down the solid JS defence & with 40mins on the clock JS went further ahead after another quick breakaway goal. Sam was clearly tired & was replaced at the back by Robbie who slotted in at centre half. Ben N was having a good game battling hard in the midfield but unfortunately just as he was getting into his stride his game was cut short when a rash challenge on him saw him pick up an ankle injury & he had to be substituted by Sam who pushed into the centre midfield slot. The midfield were beginning to get more involved in the game & push the ball to Max & Charlie who were still running hard up front but as the lads tired JS pushed on & scored another 3 goals before the end of the game, although Max came close after a good flick on from Sam set him clear of his marker but as the keeper came out & closed him down he pulled his shot just wide of the far post. The final whistle was a blessed relief for the lads who had worked their socks off to a man to get something out the game and the result did not reflect the efforts & commitment they had put in from start to finish. They were beaten by a better team – this nobody could argue but for never say die attitude, desire and willingness to keep going they were ALL clear winners. A lot can and will be learned from this game and the boys will come back stronger and better for the experience.

Full Time Score:  JS Soccer 11 vs 0 Redditch Utd

Reds Goalscorers: 

Man of the Match: Ben McGarry – steady & accomplished defensive performance from start to finish.

ROSS

BEN Mc

HUDDY

SAM

MATT

BRAD

GEORGE

NICK

MAX

DAN

CHARLIE