UNDER 14's MATCH REPORT: Mickleover 95 3 - 3 LEFC

Well, they say after a run of a few bad results the most important thing is to stop the rot, and we did that on Saturday. A fine performance which saw us dominate our opponents and control the game meant that the final outcome was far from what we deserved. Walking away with only a point was a little hard to take when Rob was hardly troubled during the whole game. In truth the own goal cost us, sorry Jubed, although it was the highlight of my weekend until Liverpool lost at Middlesborough. It's a shame the cameras weren't rolling as you had to see it to believe it, but it was an innocent mistake and doesn't detract from another fantastic performance from Jubed, a rising star in the Emmanuel team.

The game started badly for us, going a goal down early on after a some sloppy defending at the back. We must concentrate on our positioning. If the ball is coming through the centre we must always have someone dropping off behind the challenging defender in order to mop up any mistakes. It is especially important on poor pitches and Mickleovers pitch is one of the worst we've played on. When you walk out onto Derby Road this saturday, just remember how lucky we are to have a flat, gradient free pitch without a running track through the middle of it. Mickleover didn't have the lead for long however as the constant pressure told on their backline and we won a corner. With Trebski delivering the crosses we always have a chance from set pieces and as the ball curled in and the Mickleover defence stood and watched Noddy headed the ball over the line to equalise. Within the next 15 minutes a deja vu situation occured as Patryk delivered another 2 identical crosses, this time onto the head of Jordan, the smallest player on the park, and we were 3-1 up. Then came the most hilarious own goal ever as Jubed, chasing back towards our goal smashed a clearance/shot/pass/lob/ at Rob, who threw his leg at it and missed. The ball was going wide until a bobble span it back into goal. Half time and not so comfortable now.

The second half was mostly Emmanuel again but we just couldn't find the all important 4th goal even though at one corner the ball looked to have passed over the line. Jack hit the bar, Isaac hit some drives from the edge of the area but nothing went in until Mickleover won a corner after a dubious decision to ignore shirt pulling on Jubed who was trying to clear the ball. We fell asleep and didn't mark, 3-3 and game over.

So, we should have won, we didn't, but what is important is the spirit and the level of performance. After a few indifferent games, which I put down to the continuous cancellations and missed fixtures, we are back on track and look to getting back to our best. Our next match is at home this Saturday against St. Georges and is definitely a match to look forward too. We can really look to build on the Mickleover game and can enjoy passing the ball around on a flat surface.

I said at last years awards ceremony that I wanted to finish in the top 5 and we are on course to achieve just that, and with games in hands on those above us then hard work and desire will make that possible.

COME ON EMMANUEL!

Goals: Bailey 2, Noddy 1

Toby of the match: Patryk


Back Row: John, Geesus, Sam, Rob, Josh, Jabed, Big Jack
Front Row: Isaac, Lil' Jack, Tobes, Jordinho, Noddy, Joe, Jubed, Mike
Horizontal Idiot: Patryk