ECKINGTON BOYS v ABBEY LANE JFC LEAGUE CUP 1st ROUND- 19/10/08

[Craig Millward]

ECKINGTON BOYS v ABBEY LANE JFC - LEAGUE CUP 1st ROUND 19/10/08

ECKINGTON BOYS (1) v ABBEY LANE JFC (4)
GOALSCORERS -SAM TERRY (2), CODEY MILLWARD (2)
MAN OF THE MATCH AWARD -SAM TERRY & CODEY MILLWARD

MATCH REPORT

Abbey Lane travelled to near neighbours Eckington Boys in this early kick off due to the Sheffield Derby, and came away with a well deserved 4-1 Cup victory.

With a 9.30am kick off we were hoping that the lads weren't going to be half asleep, but those worries were quashed with an excellent performance, where if all chances had have been put away, the score could easily have entered into double figures.
Through all the possession Abbey Lane had, the dead lock wasn't broken untill 25 minutes, but against the run of play it was Eckington who scored first with a goal richly contested by Abbey Lane for being yards offside. Abbey lane were passing the ball well, but with the grass being a little long, shots were being scuffed and were easily saved. Chances were plentifull as Abbey Lane piled on the pressure, with TORPEY and MALLINSON coming close to adding to their seasons goal tally. We were beginning to wonder if it was going to be "one of those games", where we dominate but come away with nothing, but on 28 minutes Abbey Lane equalised. With more good attacking play, TORPEY was fouled five yards outside the area, up stepped CODEY MILLWARD to curl the ball into the top corner, with the keeper getting a hand to it but only aiding it into the net. This goal gave the team the boost they deserved and they were constantly on the attack for the remainder of the half.
I explained at half time, that if we were serious about wanting to gain promotion back to the A Division, then this was our chance to show how serious we were, and i said we needed to be more clinical in front of goal.

The second half kicked off, and a new strike partnership got things rolling. With 9 minutes on the clock Abbey Lane took a 2-1 lead, a great ball down the wing found CHARLESWORTH who charged on goal, he glanced up and saw strike partner TERRY in a great position, so the ball was lofted over the defenders, with a great first touch SAM TERRY fired the ball home. This partnership started to take control of the game, as wave after wave of attacking football had Eckington in all sorts of problems. To be fair chances were being missed, but we looked comfortable and our lead never really looked in danger. With 12 minutes gone the partnership struck again, in almost identical situation as the previous goal, CHARLESWORTH made a powerfull run to the edge of the area and played the perfect ball for SAM TERRY to fire home from an awkward angle. At this point the team were buzzing, it allowed us the chance to make substitutions as with a 3-1 lead, we are lucky enough that when we make a substitution we don't weaken the team, as all the squad are equally as strong in their positions. Abbey Lane pushed forward and could and should have extended their lead on many occasions, but with 2 minutes remaining, Abbey Lane were awarded a free kick in a similar position to the first half, but possibly a little wider. As with the first half goal up stepped CODEY MILLWARD to curl an unstoppable free kick into the top right hand corner of the goal, leaving the keeper with no chance of reaching the ball.
The final whistle blew, and Abbey Lane had come out 4-1 victors.
Man of the Match Awards went to two players today, SAM TERRY, firstly for scoring two great goals, but also as an U12, he totally changed the game with his clinical scoring showing no fear with players alot bigger than himself. The second award went to CODEY MILLWARD, firstly for two great free kicks, but also his distribution through out the game was exceptional along with the leadership as captain.
The whole team put in a great performance today and showed as a squad they are capable of holding their own against teams in the A Division, and now giving my assistant and myself something to think about for our starting eleven every week.
Well done lads, we are still in the Tesco Cup, the League Cup and we are also doing well in the league, so lets keep things rolling and see if we can have sucess on three fronts this season.