UNDER 14's MATCH REPORT: Mickleover Sport Juniors 6 - 5 LEFC

It's always disappointing to lose a match, especially after such a good run and when you know you should have won. Sadly, yesterday we failed to hold onto a good lead and made some defensive mistakes which probably would've made even Derby County laugh.

After going behind early on to a determined Mickleover team Emmanuel equalised through a superb 20 yard curling lob over the pint sized Mickelover keeper from star striker and pink t-shirt wearer Alex "skillz that killz" Bucknor. The first half continued to be end to end, with Mickleover threatening to capitalise of the indecisive Emmanuel defending. They finally did just before the break as Emmanuel failed to clear a harmless ball in the box and the gift was duely accepted.

The second half started with a much improved performance from Emmanuel who dominated the next 20 minutes. The equaliser came just minutes into the 2nd half as Trebski curled in a corner that was already over the line when Bucknor made sure with a great run and header. 2-2. Another typical Bucknor dribble and finish made it 3-2 before Adam Richardson beat the keeper with a powerful drive from all of 30 yards. His first goal for the club and hugely deserved. Well done Adam! 4-2.

Mickleover weren't finished though and the dodgy Emmanuel defending, a blast from the past, came back to haunt us in a very bad way. Mickleover pulled it back to 4-3 only for Alex to grab his hat-trick and and pull us ahead again 5-3. Then the calamity 15 minutes arrived with Mickleover netting 3 times to take the match by 6 goals to 5.

I could go into loads of detail but what is the point? Everybody tried their hardest but mistakes were made, as on other occassions this season we failed to anticipate situations and simply reacted to what happened. As a result we didn't back off the big, fast lad, we gave him space to run into. Still, it's done now, another learning experience to help us progress and become better still. The progress we have made this season is fantastic, lets not forget that, and losing this match shows the change in our expectations and our belief in ourselves to go and get the results.

We'll work on stuff in training, we can always improve. Let's just stick together and keep up the hardwork. We are a special team. There is no club like ours, there is no team in our league who can match what we have in terms of character and determination. We have a squad full of talented players and a genius manager. So let's just put this one down to a bad day at the office and get stuck into Long Eaton in the cup next weekend and make history by getting into the Semis!

COME ON EMMANUEL!!!

Toby of the Match: Alex: another hat-trick and edging ever nearer to winning a hoody off me.
Goals: Bucknor 3, Trebski and Richardson (Nice one Adam, totally deserved).

Back Row: John, Patryk, Jack, Me, Adam, Alex, Isaac, Noddy, Jabed, Sam, Ed.
Front Row: Tobes, Jordan, Dan, Jubed, Rob, Josh.

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