Weekley Rovers Wonders v South Rushden Rebels. 18/10/2009.

Back to winning ways………..Just!
 
The Rebels deservedly recorded their 2nd win of the season, but the win was nearly snatched from them in injury time.
 
The starting 11 today were: Ali, Bolts, Matt, Sam, Greeny, Harry, Reece, Aidan, Lakey, Ed and Scott. Subs: Lewis and Oli.

The boys started the game in a new 4,3,3 formation in order to try and score more goals and keep the ball in the opposition half during the game. Everybody was involved for at least 20 minutes.

From the kick off the boys pushed forward and were soon in the lead. After only 1 minute Reece finished from close range after good work from Ed and Harry had seen a dangerous cross-delivered into the Wonders box. The boys continue to push forward. Reece produced a good cross from which Lakey had a good shot saved. Lakey then made a chance for Ed from another good ball into the box. Ed gave the keeper no chance with a first time shot but was cruelly flagged for off side by his Dad!

Weekly equalised on 5 minutes with their 1st attack. The boys had 4 attempts to clear the ball without success and it was finally hit past Ali for 1-1.

The Rebels went straight back on the attack. Another good move saw Harry shoot just wide before Scott smashed in our 2nd after 10 minutes from the right edge of the penalty area.

Over the next 20 minutes we created further chances with their keeper making 2 good saves from Lakey and Harry hitting the side netting. At the other end Reece headed a dangerous corner away.

Just before half time we scored again. Matt headed a high clearance back towards the Wonders goal. Harry picked up the ball and made progress into the area before shooting past the keeper for 3-1.

Half Time:1-3.

Ed deservedly scored our 4th in the 41st minute. A massive scramble in their box saw numerous clearances and chances before Ed finally managed to poke the ball over the line. The game looked won. Weekly refused to give in and began to look more and more dangerous as they looked for the long ball forward over our defence. They made it 4-2 and then 4- 3 with 7 minutes remaining. We still created chances but were tiring.

After 62 minutes another long ball over the top caused trouble for our defence. Despite the best efforts of Matt, Sam, Aidan and Bolts a shot was hit towards our goal and then put into our net by what appeared to be an off side player. The Ref allowed the goal to stand and it looked like the boys were to be denied a deserved win. However. The ball was worked forward from the kick off. Ed again caused trouble for their defence before the ball worked its way towards Reece on the edge of the box. Reece jinked past 2 defenders before hitting a powerful shot towards the keepers near post. Despite the keeper getting 2 hands to the ball the power meant he could only turn it into the net. 4-5 in the 64th minute. The tension continued as Weekly won a corner from the kick-off. Thankfully there was no further drama as Sam headed clear and the Ref blew for full time.

Final score 4-5.

A deserved win.  The boys all worked very hard and played some excellent football especially in the 1st half. They also put into practice what we had worked on in training yesterday. We still have improvements to make but if everybody continues to work this hard further wins will follow. A big thank you also to Bolts who volunteered to replace Ali in goal at half time, this is teamwork we need.