The YELLOW team started this away fixture with: Amir in goal, Keir and Joe at the back, Alex, Valdi and Aiden in the middle, Coll as the lone target man up front, and Abhisar, Matthew and Owen on the bench.
Yellow Team given early instructions to pull their shorts up!
From kick-off the opposition were stronger, keeping the YELLOW team under pressure during the early stages. For the away support, it recalled ominously some of YELLOW’s reversals earlier in the season. Fortunately, the boys had other ideas. For all their territorial dominance, SM had only two half chances: a shot into the side netting and another smothered by Amir.
Joe and Keir defended superbly but were also ably supported by their team-mates, who all tracked back to help out. Substitutions were made to introduce fresh legs; one was forced following a blatant foul on Valdi where the referee inexplicably waved play on.
Some stout defending from Abhisar and Aiden (if they have stripes leave them alone Aiden!)
As the half progressed, the YELLOW team’s confidence rose and they were now winning more and more possession. Coll and Alex in particular made good runs, taking play further up the park.
Alex bursts through the SM midfield!
Apart from an attempt from Alex that squirmed wide, the YELLOW team failed to really test SM’s goalie before the ref blew for half-time.
During the break, emboldened by the team’s improvement late on in the first half, the YELLOW’s coaching staff made a major team reshuffle.
Abhisar strolls through midfield wearing shin guards the Evyindur way!
The second half got underway, with play flowing end to end. It was blindingly obvious that the half-time shake-up wasn’t working. The YELLOW team’s defence had drifted out of position. Robust instructions from the sidelines failed to fix the problem quickly and the inevitable followed.
Away support, management team and sub watch the action!
(Director of Football Keith passes on his knowledge and offers an early vote of confidence)
SM forwards found themselves plenty of space in front of YELLOW’s goal, but still had to scramble the ball over the line to take the lead. 1-0 South Morningside.
Action shots : despite a great effort from Coll the SM shot finds its way into the Yellow net!
YELLOW’s heads went down, but not for long as they fought to get back into the match. Following some good build-up play, Coll created 3 half chances making the home defence look shaky.
Coll causes havoc in the SM box with some great wing play!
The YELLOW team pushed forward looking for the equalizer. The ball broke to Alex who burst into the SM box only to be chopped down from behind. Strangely the ref missed what appeared a stone-wall penalty.
Owen The Goalie demonstrates how much pressure the SM defence were under!
So, it’s a hard one to take: 1-0 defeat to a well matched team in a local derby. It was a good team performance by the YELLOWs, probably hindered by the poor communications following the half-time reshuffle. Hopefully a lesson learned; one for the coaches to get right next time.
Back L-R : Coll, Aiden, Keir, Alex, Matthew, Valdi (nice bandana), Abhisar, Joe.
Front : Amir
Well played Yellow Team!
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