BHR –V- MAIDEN YOUTH

0 – 1    /   31/10/04

Today we were up against a team who were champions in their division last year.  This team had scored eighteen goals and only conceded two in four games. I knew that the boys had to play to the best of their ability if we were to get anything from this game today.  For the first ten minutes this was a scrappy game with plenty of hard work from both teams but not a lot of passing.  Then Bush Hill settled first and we created a few chances, producing a great effort by Tony with an instant turning shot from outside the box which their goalkeeper did well to tip over the bar. In the closing stages of the first half, Maiden Youth began to create a few chances and if it wasn’t for a few last ditch challenges from our defence they could have taken the lead.  But it remained 0-0 at half time.

The second half started much the same as the first, both teams’ defences were on top, however as the game progressed the match opened up, with Maiden Youth’s pacey strikers producing a string of outstanding saves by Taylan, who took a heavy knock mid-way through the second half, but bravely continued to deny Maiden Youth. This game looked like it was going to finish 0-0, which I believe would have been a fair result for both teams, but a controversial off-side decision by the referee and Maiden Youth scored an easy tap in to make it 1-0, after our keeper and defenders thought that the referee had blown for off-side, and stopped playing. I made a couple of changes after their goal and introduced Danny and Rishi, hoping that two fresh players on a heavy pitch might have made a difference.  However, the game was still 50-50 in all departments. I then decided to make a slight tactical change by pushing Jamel more forward, and I had to sacrifice Danny in order to do this, who was unfortunate because he was playing well, after having two near misses. After this change we began to put pressure on their goal, but they held on with a 1-0 win. 

I am very proud of the way all the boys played football today. They worked hard for each other and ultimately a poor refereeing decision cost us the game.  We must learn to play to the whistle.

Today’s Man Of The Match: Taylan – outstanding and brave goal keeping.

Well Done Boys!