UNDER 14's MATCH REPORT: Darley Abbey Colts 1 - 8 LEFC

I expected a win, we got one. Perhaps it is a marker of how far we've come this season. Last season, damn, I said I'd never use that term again, oh well, it's relevant. Anyway, last season we were Darley Abbey Colts, rooted solidly to the foot of the table without a win and looking unlikely to get one. One thing we had when we were down there was spirit. We also had guts, passion, and dignity, that's four things, and Alex, that's five, which is incidentally the number of goals he scored today. So, let's put this in perspective, last season, worst performing team in the league, this season, 2 points off third place with 2 games in hand. Conclusion, unbelivable progress!

The lads should be more than proud, the hard work is paying off. I doubt that there is a team in this league who wants to win as much as us, who enjoys it as much and who hurts as much as us when we don't win. We created enough chances to win several games today, but a sticky, muddy pitch made it a very tiring match and hard to get a good solid shot on goal.

After a slow start we got the important 1st goal which settled us and it was great to see Patryk get his first for the team. Another 3 followed fairly quickly, Alex with 2 and Jordan netting the other. It's worth mentioning at this point that I had a challenge with Alex to get 5 goals or 10 assists, in return he would get a personalised training shirt. So, 3 goals to go and my wallet is a little lighter.

Second half. Our football on a bad pitch was much better. We adapted well to the conditions and push and run was the name of the game today as Darley played a high back line who obviously hadn't noticed during the first half that we have a striker with blistering pace who likes to run into space behind defenders. Still, that's their problem. We capitalised in the first minute and Noddy, with his first touch grabbed the 5th goal and his 5th of the season. He's always in the right place at the right time in the box and having played from the bench in the last few matches Noddy can be assured of a start against table toppers Mickleover 95 Utd next week. From then on it was the Alex show as he went on to grab another 3 goals and win the challenge. He wants a pink t-shirt!?! So that's what he'll get.

Overall, a great result, a big boost to goal difference and further evidence that Emmanuel have plenty still left in the tank with nearly half the season gone. There were some good individual performances aside from Alex too. Jabed and Isaac are forming a great partnership in the heart of midfield and drive the team forward at every opportunity whilst assuring the defenders plenty of cover if needed. Adam, John and Jubed had a great game at the back and Joe played his left back role perfectly, reading the game very well. Jordan was busy upfront and played some beautiful passes through to Alex. Sam's passing as always was precise and consistant and his range of passing is outstanding. Woody had a great debut and there is obviously more to come from him.

Next week we play table toppers Mickleover 95 Utd. We can beat them, we can be the first team to beat them. We had a great first half against them last month but got sloppy in the 2nd half. We can't start slowly against them, we must be ready and fight for everything. But, someone is going to beat, it might as well be us. We have all the ability, lets put it into a massive performance. COME ON EMMANUEL!

See you Wednesday.

Goals: Bucknor 5, Tourki 1, Bailey 1, Trebski 1.

Toby of the Match: Alex: Awesome display Alex, tenacious, tireless, and talented.


Squad: Back Row: Jabed, Sam, Patryk, Myself, Noddy, Alex, Isaac, Adam, John...
Front Row: Rob, Jubed, Joe, Jordan
In Car somewhere near Ashby: Jack, Woody, Josh, Dan

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