Match Reporter Richard takes up the story...
So off to Double Hedges on a nice bright morning. Spring not quite arrrived and there is still enough of a chill in the air to make property paul regret his rash decision not to don usual thermals, hat and three jackets. Team lines up in a familiar formation of Coll in goal, Joe and Murdo at the back, a midfield trio of Hamish, Alex and Sam with Jude the hitman up front Sasha starting off on the bench.
Sciennes got off to a cracking start and were two up with only a few minutes played. Hamish netted first after turning two defenders and finishing smartly in the bottom left hand corner. Then Alex with probably the most fortuitous goal he has scored for the blues. A high punt into the the penalty area misses everybody, takes one bounce and then nestles in the roof of the net. They all count.
It was all blues for the first 10 minutes or so with numerous chances to increase the lead. The team were playing well and had a number of shots at goal. One effort was cleared off the line (although it looked well over from where I was standing). It was looking like it could be a bit of a massacre. But out of nowhere Liberton hit a long ball that took the blues defence out of the game. Their forward ran on and finished well. 2-1. The game became a bit of a midfield scrap at this point with the blues struggling to come to the terms with the rather tight pitch. Joe and Murdo at the back were called upon more often to break up attacks as Liberton showed they had a few decent players and began to threaten more. One break up the right wing looked particularly dangerous with Liberton having men in the box and the blues defence caught out of position but Coll manage to block the cross and Sasha tidied up.
The blues were still making chances and Jude shot wide on 20 minutes after good work from Alex was followed by an excellent cross.
Then that rarest of things a headed goal. Nice cross which Jude meets from a yard out and the blues extend their lead. But almost immediately blues defensive frailties were exposed after some 'schoolboy' defending Liberton were level. 3-2.
Sciennes respond well and Sasha has a great run brutally curtailed by a very dodgy tackle. Blues coaches shout for a foul but the ref waves away their appeals.
Then from a throw in on the left touchline the blues defenders, despite the blues coaches frantic cries to get 'goalside', are caught on the wrong side of the attackers. The throw goes over their heads and the Liberton attacker runs on and manages to slide the ball past the outrushng Coll. 3-3 would you believe.
It was nearly half-time when the best goal of the match so far was scored. Coll rolled the ball out to Jude. Jude found alex on the left who danced off up the wing leaving a couple of defenders in his wake. His powered low cross into the back post was met perfectly by Hamish who buried the ball confidently. Half-time 4-3. Blimey!
Half-tme team talk consisted of an explanation of the term 'goal-side'.
2nd half kicked off with some team changes. Sam swapped with Coll in goal and Alex and Jude dropped into defence. Liberton ambitiously tried a shot direct from kick off showing they were feeling confident.
Blues started well with Sasha making some good runs. Hamish had a chance and then Coll just failed to steer a clearance goalwards, the ball sliding just the wrong side of the left hand post. The first foul of the match was rightly awarded when Joe was cut down in midfield. Ball into box came to nothing.
Liberton then hit the post and were unlucky not to score. But moments later they do as a long shot from midfield is well saved by Sam who cannot prevent the Liberton player following up and scoring. 4-4.
What turns out to be the winner is scored by Alex. Received the ball near the left hand corner flag. Is pursued by two defenders but twists and turns, eventually doubles back and fires in a shot with ....wait for it....his RIGHT foot. It takes a very slight deflection and creeps inside the right hand post. 5-4. Get in there!
The game become very tense with Liberton exerting a lot of pressure and the Blues happy just to hang on. Alex comes in for some rough treatment and is left in a crumpled heap on the grass after being felled by Liberton's impressive pony-tailed midfield enforcer a few minutes from full time. This player is more Mandy Carroll than Andy Carroll though. Neve (for that was her name) is asked to apologise by the Liberton coach which she does very sweetly and the game moves on.
Both teams have further chances to score. Murdo comes close and the Liberton goalie has the save of the match when amazingly he manages to push a blockbuster shot onto the bar from point blank range when a goal looked certain. Hat's off to the Liberton goalie!
Sam takes the ball down the wing in the last moments before the ref blows the final whistle.
An enjoyable game for the the spectator with some cracking goals. In the end I think the blues deserved the win. Liberton were a strong team with a couple of talented individuals and after a slow start came on very strong. We played some great stuff and at times passed the ball around impressively. Looking forward to next weeks game for more of the same..
Well done everyone.
No comments:
Post a Comment