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| Walshaw Sports 3-2 HSM Trojans League Saturday 5th February 2005
A good Trojans performance, despite the final score. Trojans were forced to make a number of changes � Curtis was out with a broken arm, Robert was ill, and so Antony moved into the left back position, with Alex moving into central defence. Trojans also welcomed a new player in today � Alex B, who played in midfield. Trojans made the early running and were by far the stronger team in the opening 10 minutes. They came close to scoring several times � one shot going just wide of the post. Unfortunately, Walshaw took the lead on 11 minutes, much against the run of play (how many times have I written that before now??!!). The goal appeared to be offside, as did the one they scored two minutes later. These two goals gave Walshaw more confidence, and despite Trojans still playing some good football, Walshaw continued to attack. They were awarded several corners in succession, but the defence, despite looking shaky at times managed to clear the ball. Five minutes before half time, Walshaw added to their tally. Trojans defence were caught sleeping and they broke through. During the second half, Trojans were much improved. On 37 minutes, George set off on a run into the Walshaw penalty area and was quite clearly pulled back. The referee showed no hesitation in awarding a penalty, which George took, and scored. Minutes later, Jack was very unlucky not to score, taking the ball from inside Trojans own half and into the Walshaw penalty area, only to see his shot go just wide. On 43 minutes, Trojans did manage to find the net, when Jack beat several Walshaw defenders and crossed the ball into the box from a narrow angle. It was Jordan who managed to get a foot to it for Trojans second goal. The final 10 minutes were frantic. Trojans were desperately looking for the equaliser, and saw a free-kick go just wide. An entertaining game, and yet another one where, frustratingly, we were the better team. Walshaw also knew their pitch very well. During the first half they had the advantage of playing downhill, and all three of their goals came from long balls from inside their own half. Trojans defence was sloppy at times, although to be fair, it wasn�t the usual line up. We were also caught offside far too many times. Man of the Match � Jordan � Never gave up, and NEVER stopped running! Team: Goal � Alix Defence � Luke, Chris, Alex M, Antony Midfield � Josh, Jack, Jordan, Alex B Strikers � George, Mark |
| HSM Trojans 6 -5 Brandlesholme Warriors League Saturday 12th February 2005
An entertaining and high scoring game played in heavy conditions. There was a change from the usual team formation, with Josh and Antony playing in defence and Alex M up front. Trojans opened their account after only 53 seconds, when Alex M slotted the ball home, and were unlucky not to get a second minutes later when Jordan�s shot just skimmed the bar. After eight minutes, Trojans did increase their lead when Jack took the ball past the Brandlesholme keeper and calmly slotted home. Trojans were playing some excellent football, passing the ball well and keeping possession. However, Brandlesholme broke away on 14 minutes and pulled a goal back, and then levelled the score 2 minutes later. This seemed to spur them on, and they would have increased their lead further had it not been for the safe hands of Alix. After 20 minutes, Jordan put Trojans ahead, when his shot hit the keeper and finished up in the net. Three minutes later, the Trojans defence looked to be asleep and Brandlesholme equalised. A minute later, Trojans once again had the advantage when Jordan calmly took the ball past the keeper to score his second and Trojans fourth. There was an excellent opportunity for Trojans to further increase their lead when Alex M crossed a fine ball into the box and found Jack, whose shot was unfortunately just wide. In the second half, Trojans were playing with the wind against them, and Brandlesholme showed they meant business by having some early attempts at goal, although Alix once again made some good saves. On 53 minutes, Alex M scored his second goal of the game to make the score 5-3. Trojans were then down to 10 men for a short time when Jordan left the pitch to receive treatment. It was just after this that an otherwise good game was almost ruined. Brandlesholme thought they had scored on 48 minutes, but the goal was disallowed � quite rightly � for offside. Brandlesholme�s manager strongly disagreed with this decision, and the game was stopped for several minutes. His behaviour was completely unjustified, totally out of order, and a bad example to set for young players. Two minutes after the game re-started, Brandlesholme did score, and four minutes later Jack scored a superb goal, taking the ball from just inside the Brandlesholme half, beating a couple of defenders and then lobbing the keeper. Sadly, this goal was greeted with cries of �offside� from the Brandlesholme supporters. Sour grapes..... Brandlesholme then grabbed another goal on 60 minutes. The game had four minutes extra time added on due to the earlier incident, but Trojans managed to stand firm and defend well, as Brandlesholme were desperately looking for the equaliser. An outstanding team performance with fine individual performances from each and every player. This was a well deserved victory, and a very entertaining game, despite the unsavoury incident late in the second half. Trojans at their very best Man of the Match � Luke � solid in defence Team: Goal � Alix Defence � Luke, Robert, Josh, Antony Midfield � Jack, Jordan, Mark, Alex B Strikers � George, Alex M |
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