UNDER 16's MATCH REPORT: LEFC 2 - 0 Cobra Oakwood

It was third versus second as Emmanuel took on Cobra Oakwood in the Derby City League, but, by the end of the match, the positions were reversed as the church club clinched an important win.  The first half was a very tight affair and Cobra, with the wind at their backs, created a fair amount of pressure but Emmanuel held firm, keeping their shape, defending from the front, and working really hard for each other.  In these early stages defenders Cole, Arme, and Riman were particularly impressive as was Large who - brave, strong and selfless - led the way in midfield.  All this helped to create a platform for Smithson to prompt skillfully from the left and front men Aning and Allard to get behind the Oakwood defence. The first half finished scoreless but it did not look like it would stay like that once the second half got under way and Emmanuel took full advantage of the wind employing Schad's long throw and forcing a string of corners and free-kicks.  Finally, with twenty minutes to go, the deadlock was broken as Sweet scored directly from a free-kick with an excellent strike and this was soon followed by Pownall's fine shot from the edge of the box.   In the closing stages Fraser and Lewis came on as Emmanuel sought to keep things tight.



Day; Fraser (Schad), Arme, Riman, Cole*; Pownall, Large, Sweet, Smithson (Lewis); Aning, Allard. Subs: Taylor, Watkiss, Smyth.