U11’s V Springhead (Home) 11/05/2008

This match was started in absolutely sweltering temperatures – it was more Rio de Janeiro than Radclyffe!

 We had thirteen heroes today who were a real credit to the club because they never gave up and all ran their socks off, in what was our final game of the season.

We already knew we had secured the runners-up spot after beating today’ visitors a few weeks previous.

The starting eleven was: Louis Kershaw aka Little Lou (goalkeeper), Ross Whitworth (right-back), Joe McDonald (left-back) and centre-back pairing of Louis Gilligan and Harrison Grant.  Aaron Holton, Liam Eadsforth, Jack Nadin, Bradley Humphries  and Kyle Robinson made up the midfield with instructions to try and get forward to support our lone striker Wes Williams. The substitutes today were Reece Mellor (striker) and Paul Mullen (goalkeeper).

The game started @ a blistering place and the visitors were keen to get revenge for their recent defeat @ our hands.  They quickly worked a good opening and swept the ball passed Little Lou to make it 1- 0. We seemed a little slow to react and maybe the hot weather was taking its toll on the players already. However, we are made of sterner stuff these days and created some good opportunities which we just failed to convert. The break through finally came when we got a corner on the right which was crossed expertly by Aaron Holton, and that man again, Harrison Grant timed his run to perfection and headed the ball into the top corner – it was now game on!

Half time 1 – 1

Paul Mullen took over in goal and Reece Mellor was introduced to try and support Wes upfront.

With passionate supporters urging the two teams on, it really was end to end stuff with the visitors having a couple of penalty appeals turned down and some heroic defensive blocks from our lads kept  the score-line level.  We also had some great opportunities to win it – Bradley hit the crossbar with a cracking drive and following it up was Liam who forced the keeper into a good save.  Reece and Wes also had good chances.

A draw in my view was a fair result and once again enormous credit to the lads for keeping going in what really were demanding conditions – they should all sleep well tonight!

If ever there was a case for handing Man of the match to every player than this was it, but just edging it was our goalkeeper Paul Mullen who pulled off some excellent saves, was quick to react, and came off his line to snuff out any danger.

The season is now over, let’s hope we can go one better next time and win it!

Full time 1 - 1