Away vs Greaseborough Youth ~ League. [Archive]

Steven Baggaley

02-10-2010, 10:58 PM

Away again on sunday, this time to top of the league Greaseborough. They had won five on the trot to go top and taken some notable scalps along the way, so this was always going to be a pivotal match in Abbeys' season.

Again we had 4 absentees for one reason or another, so travelled with 12 players only and no keeper. However, despite this and from recent encouraging training sessions where the boys were showing some passion, bottle and fight nobody believed we couldn't get a result.

The pitch was large but in good condition and the boys lined up with Conor in goal, a back four of the much improved Reuben, Oliver, sam cutts and Liam. Midfield consisted of John rw, jamie and josh in the middle and Benj on the left. Sam Smith and Jordan were up front and Mads unlucky to be on the bench.

Early play was even and Abbey showed some great strength and skill in pushing the league leaders back however, chances for either sides were at a premium as corners for each team was the closest each got. The deadlock was broken after about 15 mins and in some style, as first Benjie picked the ball up in Abbeys half, delayed his pass until speed king Josh Rhone flew past him, then played the perfect ball into josh's stride. Josh outpaced all defenders from the half way line, powered into the LHS of the box and slammed high above the keeper for 1 - 0. What a goal and Greaseborough were rattled.

Abbey soon made it 2 -0, when further great passing and battling released Jordan Sambrook just outside the oppositions box, he still had loads to do but sidestepped a couple of challenges with ease and placed a shot just inside the keepers right hand post. It was all Abbey and with about five minutes to go the fans were in dreamland as again Benjie picked up just outside the area and played another perfect ball into the the path of Madison Hay running in from the left, Mads showed pace and bottle by getting to the ball just before the keeper and rifling it under him for his first goal of the season. Tremendous stuff. As an improvement on the previous week, Abbey didnt tire in the last five and came off at half time in full control.

The management were quick to remind the players that nothing was won yet and that plenty of work was required to ensure the win. This was immediately apparent as a much improved perfomance from Greaseborough in the second half was evident. Conor in the net had largely been redundant but he was called on straight from the restart as the majority of play was in Abbeys half. Greaseborough pulled a goal back when a daft free kick given away centrally was knocked into the box past the defence leaving Conor no chance as attackers came to the ball. 3 1 and game on.

Greaseborough still pushed on but Abbey had the next chance when the ball wouldnt come onto Madisons right foot in the area, and then Sam Smith beat the outcoming keeper to Jordans fine through ball, but the shot went the wrong side of the post.

Abbey had a mad five minute spell, when the whole team had difficulty clearing the ball which finally resulted in Greaseboroughs' pressure making it 3 2 after a good run and finish from one of their attackers.

The boys however, took a collective deep breath didnt fold, and again finished the stronger of the two sides, Madison had another goal chalked off for offside (with a better finish than his goal) and then culminated in Benj and Josh tackling like mad and playing in Sam Smith inside the area who turned his defender and stroked home, for 4 2 and game over high to the keepers left. The whistle went and Abbey celebrated the best performance of the season.

All the players were magnificent but special mention must go to Conor for taking one for the team, Reuben who was strong throughout (keep up the running pal), Sam C, Jamie, Oliver and Liam for battling throughout and Mads for his first goal of the season. Man of the match went to Josh for an unbelievable performance. Benj and Reuben ran him very close and the attacking threat of John Sam and Jordan was considerable.

Thanks to Greaseborough for being excellent hosts and equal partners in a great game of football, and now on to see if we can remember where we play, at home to Middlewood. This result moving Abbey up to sixth with games in hand. Same again chaps please.