Hobbs Meadow
In the first half it looked as if Sporting had learned from their opening match against Hobbs Meadow and for much of the period outplayed the league leaders. They were unlucky to go a goal down after 19 minutes (from another set piece free kick), and created enough chances to go into the break at least on level terms.
The second half though was painful to watch as Sporting went into self destruct mode. Hobbs Meadow are undoubtedly the biggest 'wind up merchants' in the league, but today Sporting did that job for them and got the result they deserved.
A good team relies on all of its members whether, players, managers, or supporters pulling in the same direction - today we were not a good team!
The second half though was painful to watch as Sporting went into self destruct mode. Hobbs Meadow are undoubtedly the biggest 'wind up merchants' in the league, but today Sporting did that job for them and got the result they deserved.
A good team relies on all of its members whether, players, managers, or supporters pulling in the same direction - today we were not a good team!
Vs FC Gosta
01 - Team Name = Open Age
02 - Vs = FC Gosta
03 - Match Result = Win
04 - Match Score = 4-3
05 - Match Rateing = 7
06 - Sporting Scorer's = Anthony Sale (4)
02 - Vs = FC Gosta
03 - Match Result = Win
04 - Match Score = 4-3
05 - Match Rateing = 7
06 - Sporting Scorer's = Anthony Sale (4)
Vs Brookdale
Todays game was played in very high winds. Brookdale won the toss and elected to play with the wind for the first half. I could put up one of the earlier match reports as the game generally followed the script of last few matches:
Act 1- Sporting take the lead
Martin gets his head onto a well placed corner from Matt in the 27th minute.
Act 2 Sporting give the lead away
Brookdale score 2 Goals in 5 minutes, both from set pieces (30 & 35)
Act 3 Sporting regain the lead early in the 2nd half
Good link up play between Antony and Josh results in Josh beating the Brookdale keeper to level the scores (10) and John Sambo showing the forwards how to do it 9 minutes later restoring Sporting’s lead
Act 4 Sporting quickly loose the lead again
Today though it took 4 minutes before we allowed Brookdale through to level the scores
Act 5 Sporting dig deep to take the victory
At half time we told the lads that Antony needed some support and could not do it all himself. He proved us wrong as he danced round the opposition in the last quarter and got a well deserved hat trick (24, 33, 38) ,which put the game beyond the visitors and assured Sporting of a place in the second round.
Brookdale are a good footballing side and could easily have gone on to win the game if it were not for the guts and determination of Sporting. At times a number of our lads drifted out of the game, but overall this was another outstanding performance by a rookie team in the ‘big boys’ league.
Act 1- Sporting take the lead
Martin gets his head onto a well placed corner from Matt in the 27th minute.
Act 2 Sporting give the lead away
Brookdale score 2 Goals in 5 minutes, both from set pieces (30 & 35)
Act 3 Sporting regain the lead early in the 2nd half
Good link up play between Antony and Josh results in Josh beating the Brookdale keeper to level the scores (10) and John Sambo showing the forwards how to do it 9 minutes later restoring Sporting’s lead
Act 4 Sporting quickly loose the lead again
Today though it took 4 minutes before we allowed Brookdale through to level the scores
Act 5 Sporting dig deep to take the victory
At half time we told the lads that Antony needed some support and could not do it all himself. He proved us wrong as he danced round the opposition in the last quarter and got a well deserved hat trick (24, 33, 38) ,which put the game beyond the visitors and assured Sporting of a place in the second round.
Brookdale are a good footballing side and could easily have gone on to win the game if it were not for the guts and determination of Sporting. At times a number of our lads drifted out of the game, but overall this was another outstanding performance by a rookie team in the ‘big boys’ league.
VS Real Birmingham
Sporting took to the field today with a more settled line up than in the last couple of weeks
They started brightly and took the lead after just 3 minutes when Matt’s cross was turned into his own net by a defender. Sean doubled the score 7 minutes later and Sporting were looking comfortable until they fell prey to yet another set piece. Chris Wall returning from 2 weeks away restored Sporting’s lead just 2 minutes later though with a well placed header.
The inability to cope with set pieces cropped up again in the 27th minute when a carbon copy of Real’s first goal again reduced the deficit to a single goal. To be fair though both of the Real free kicks were perfectly placed, and very few defences would have been able to cope with them.
Half Time 3-2 to Sporting
True to form Sporting allowed Real to equalise virtually from the kick off, with the only goal that they scored in open play. There were a few nervous moments until Chris Wall converted a penalty 5 later and Anthony Sale gave a us 2 goal cushion shortly afterwards.
A corner in the 40th minute allowed Real to reduce the gap again, but by this time Sporting had the measure of the opposition, goals from Matt in the 43rd and Anthony Sale’s second a minute later finally gave Sporting a comfortable 7-4 victory over much more experienced opposition.
Sporting today returned the passing game, and reaped the benefits. Real knew, and used, loads of little tricks to try and influence the ref and put the opposition off, but today our lads coped with it well and let their football provide their reply.
They started brightly and took the lead after just 3 minutes when Matt’s cross was turned into his own net by a defender. Sean doubled the score 7 minutes later and Sporting were looking comfortable until they fell prey to yet another set piece. Chris Wall returning from 2 weeks away restored Sporting’s lead just 2 minutes later though with a well placed header.
The inability to cope with set pieces cropped up again in the 27th minute when a carbon copy of Real’s first goal again reduced the deficit to a single goal. To be fair though both of the Real free kicks were perfectly placed, and very few defences would have been able to cope with them.
Half Time 3-2 to Sporting
True to form Sporting allowed Real to equalise virtually from the kick off, with the only goal that they scored in open play. There were a few nervous moments until Chris Wall converted a penalty 5 later and Anthony Sale gave a us 2 goal cushion shortly afterwards.
A corner in the 40th minute allowed Real to reduce the gap again, but by this time Sporting had the measure of the opposition, goals from Matt in the 43rd and Anthony Sale’s second a minute later finally gave Sporting a comfortable 7-4 victory over much more experienced opposition.
Sporting today returned the passing game, and reaped the benefits. Real knew, and used, loads of little tricks to try and influence the ref and put the opposition off, but today our lads coped with it well and let their football provide their reply.
Vs Sheldon (Away)
Len Ward Trophy Rnd 2
When these sides met in the league a couple of weeks back was a close fought game.with Sporting nicking a win in the last few minutes. This game started in the same manner with Sporting just having the edge. Their efforts were rewarded in the final minute of the first half when Anthony Sale put a cross from Matt on the left into the back of the home sides net. A penalty for Sheldon five minutes into the second half drew the scores level. Play in the next quarter of an hour quarter of an hour suggested that this may well have been the final result as the sides were very evenly matched. Unfortunalely one of the sheldon players went in hard on John Davis only to come off worst. Play was held up for around 20 minutes while the player received treatment and was finally taken off in an ambulance with an obviously broken ankle. This incident naturally upset our lads and knocked them out of their stride allowing Sheldon to net two easy goals within 2 minutes - virtually unchallenged. By the time Sporting settled there weren't enough minutes left to retrieve the game. John Sambo managed to give the score a little more respectability with a goal in the last minute of play. I could make excuses like - we were short of regular players - we only had one fit sub - the pitch was awful - and most of the game was played in torrential rain.
"Wishing the Sheldon player all the best
and a speedy recovery from all at Sporting Brockhurst FC"
Vs Pershore Argyll
The cup game of a fortnight ago against Pershore Argyll was a close and exiting game of football. Today’s meeting of the teams was no different. Co-incidentally the same ref officiated at both games – but today he turned up on time.
We started brightly enough with early pressure resulting in a Pershore defender heading into the net past his own keeper.
Despite Sporting generally bossing the game for the first quarter Pershore managed to grab an equaliser against the run of play in the 12th minute.
Sporting began to rely more on the long ball rather than playing their natural passing game, which allowed the visitors to play some very good football of their own, gaining them the advantage just 7 minutes before the interval
Half time Sporting 1 Pershore 2
The long ball game looked though as if it might pay off when a flick on from debutant Liam was put into the back of the visitors net by Sean within 30 seconds of the restart,
Sporting were then knocked off their stride somewhat when an accidental hand ball resulted in the visitors being awarded a penalty in the 4th minute, which allowed them to level the scores. Pershore took the lead again 10 minutes later with a great speculative shot/cross from the corner flag which gave the Sporting keeper no chance.
A twice taken penalty from our second new player of the day Anthony Sale (yes another ‘Saley’) five minutes later reduced the deficit to a single goal. A formation change. in an attempt to go for the points, produced a number of good chances for Sporting, but also left us a little exposed at the back, Pershore were too good a team not to take advantage of this and restore their 2 goal advantage with just 5 minutes to go.
Up stepped ‘Super Sub Sale’ (Steve that is) who again showed the youngsters the way by taking out 2 opposition players with a graceful pirouete before scoring another goal in the 45th minute.
Despite their best efforts Sporting ran out of time, and came second on this occasion.
Final score: Sporting 4 – Pershore 5
This game had it all – good football, excitement and goals galore. OK so we didn’t win but we didn’t half give it a go!!!!
We started brightly enough with early pressure resulting in a Pershore defender heading into the net past his own keeper.
Despite Sporting generally bossing the game for the first quarter Pershore managed to grab an equaliser against the run of play in the 12th minute.
Sporting began to rely more on the long ball rather than playing their natural passing game, which allowed the visitors to play some very good football of their own, gaining them the advantage just 7 minutes before the interval
Half time Sporting 1 Pershore 2
The long ball game looked though as if it might pay off when a flick on from debutant Liam was put into the back of the visitors net by Sean within 30 seconds of the restart,
Sporting were then knocked off their stride somewhat when an accidental hand ball resulted in the visitors being awarded a penalty in the 4th minute, which allowed them to level the scores. Pershore took the lead again 10 minutes later with a great speculative shot/cross from the corner flag which gave the Sporting keeper no chance.
A twice taken penalty from our second new player of the day Anthony Sale (yes another ‘Saley’) five minutes later reduced the deficit to a single goal. A formation change. in an attempt to go for the points, produced a number of good chances for Sporting, but also left us a little exposed at the back, Pershore were too good a team not to take advantage of this and restore their 2 goal advantage with just 5 minutes to go.
Up stepped ‘Super Sub Sale’ (Steve that is) who again showed the youngsters the way by taking out 2 opposition players with a graceful pirouete before scoring another goal in the 45th minute.
Despite their best efforts Sporting ran out of time, and came second on this occasion.
Final score: Sporting 4 – Pershore 5
This game had it all – good football, excitement and goals galore. OK so we didn’t win but we didn’t half give it a go!!!!
Vs Brookdale
For the second week running Sporting could only provide a basic team plus 2 subs, one of which was not fully recovered from a virus, and one slightly older gentleman.
This meant that once again the starting formation looked slightly strange with a goalkeeper leading the attack.
Brookdale like Sporting are a good footballing side and warrant their position in the top third of the table. It will be no suprise therefore that this was a very close game, the deadlock not being broken until the 39th minute when Wallie's free kick put the ball into the path of John Davis for Sporting to take a lead.
Sporting typically managed to allow Brookdale to score from a corner just 2 minutes later, and then concede another goal in the 48th minute of the half to go into the break one goal down.
Just a minute into the second session though Chris wall managed to better his first half cross when he spotted the Brookdale keeper off his line, and lobbed hom from the half way line. This will have to go down as the goal of the season.
Sporting took the lead with a great finish from Rob Ryan in the 30th minute. It looked as if Sporting were about to make it 4 wins in a row until concerted pressure from the home side resulted in them grabbing an equaliser in the dying seconds of another 48 minute half.
I said at the start of this report that we had an older gentleman on the subs bench - when he took the the field he proved to every one that although he may have been older he was certainly not a GENTLE man!!
Todays ref was the same one that officiated at our opening game against Hobbs Meadow and he again seemed to lose the plot for most of the second half.
Sporting were put off their game slightly by some strange decisions including the sending off of a linesman and a booking for Martin. It seemed that decisions in the second half went to the team who shouted loudest.
Luckily the game was played in a very sporting manner by 2 good footballing sides, so no major flair ups occured.
It was slightly dissapointing to not to take all three points, but that is an indication of how far the lads have come this season. A draw away from home against top half of the table team is something we could possibly not have hoped for at the start of their first year in open age.
This team is rapidly developing something that cannot be taught on the training field - HEART
This meant that once again the starting formation looked slightly strange with a goalkeeper leading the attack.
Brookdale like Sporting are a good footballing side and warrant their position in the top third of the table. It will be no suprise therefore that this was a very close game, the deadlock not being broken until the 39th minute when Wallie's free kick put the ball into the path of John Davis for Sporting to take a lead.
Sporting typically managed to allow Brookdale to score from a corner just 2 minutes later, and then concede another goal in the 48th minute of the half to go into the break one goal down.
Just a minute into the second session though Chris wall managed to better his first half cross when he spotted the Brookdale keeper off his line, and lobbed hom from the half way line. This will have to go down as the goal of the season.
Sporting took the lead with a great finish from Rob Ryan in the 30th minute. It looked as if Sporting were about to make it 4 wins in a row until concerted pressure from the home side resulted in them grabbing an equaliser in the dying seconds of another 48 minute half.
I said at the start of this report that we had an older gentleman on the subs bench - when he took the the field he proved to every one that although he may have been older he was certainly not a GENTLE man!!
Todays ref was the same one that officiated at our opening game against Hobbs Meadow and he again seemed to lose the plot for most of the second half.
Sporting were put off their game slightly by some strange decisions including the sending off of a linesman and a booking for Martin. It seemed that decisions in the second half went to the team who shouted loudest.
Luckily the game was played in a very sporting manner by 2 good footballing sides, so no major flair ups occured.
It was slightly dissapointing to not to take all three points, but that is an indication of how far the lads have come this season. A draw away from home against top half of the table team is something we could possibly not have hoped for at the start of their first year in open age.
This team is rapidly developing something that cannot be taught on the training field - HEART
Perrshore Argyll (Away)
This game started late because the referee went to the wrong ground, he turned up 20 minutes late to find the game in it's 5th minute.
Possibly it would have been a better game if he'd stayed where he was!
The pitch was too small to effectively play Sportings natural game but they adapted well and once again dominated play. They were unlucky not to go ahead after 17 minutes when a blast from Wallie ricocheyed off the cross bar.
The ref awarded Pershore a dubious penalty after 26 minutes, on one of their rare sorties into our half. Hoff was unable to do anything about the spot kick and the home side took an ill deserved lead.
Sporting though refused to let this distract them from their task and when Wallie hit the post again after 40 minutes the ball deflected into the back of the net to send the teams into the break level.
For all but a few minutes of the second half Sporting again dominated with goals from JD (15) and Sean (35) putting this cup tie beyond the reach of the home side.
Fortunately both sides played this match in a sporting manner. Had it been otherwise I doubt that the man in the middle would have been able to keep order - oops!!!!!!!! did I say something about a ref?
A great performance from all of the side who have definitely made the step up from junior football.
Some of us thought that they may struggle in their first season in open age - they have certainly made us eat our words in the last few games.
Possibly it would have been a better game if he'd stayed where he was!
The pitch was too small to effectively play Sportings natural game but they adapted well and once again dominated play. They were unlucky not to go ahead after 17 minutes when a blast from Wallie ricocheyed off the cross bar.
The ref awarded Pershore a dubious penalty after 26 minutes, on one of their rare sorties into our half. Hoff was unable to do anything about the spot kick and the home side took an ill deserved lead.
Sporting though refused to let this distract them from their task and when Wallie hit the post again after 40 minutes the ball deflected into the back of the net to send the teams into the break level.
For all but a few minutes of the second half Sporting again dominated with goals from JD (15) and Sean (35) putting this cup tie beyond the reach of the home side.
Fortunately both sides played this match in a sporting manner. Had it been otherwise I doubt that the man in the middle would have been able to keep order - oops!!!!!!!! did I say something about a ref?
A great performance from all of the side who have definitely made the step up from junior football.
Some of us thought that they may struggle in their first season in open age - they have certainly made us eat our words in the last few games.
Vs Sheldon Hawks(Away)
The game started brightly enough with Sporting again more than matching the opposition but failing to to capitalise on the chances they created.
Sheldon opened the scoring after 31 minutes when Sporting again managed to cope with a throw in in their own third.
Matt Royal bagged his second of the season with a well taken shot with just 4 minutes of the half to go, to give Sporting a well deserved draw at the break.
Unfortunately for a few minutes before and around 15 minutes after break Sporting went into self destruct mode again - I won't go into details here. The opposition took full advantage and went 2 goals up before we sorted ourselves out.
John Davis then made his come back after injury an revitalised the team with 2 well taken goals (especially for a full back) in 10 minutes.
The game was finally killed off for the home side when Chris Wall got the reward for his hard work to get his second of the season with only 2 minutes of the match remaining.
This is a game we could easily have lost if the little niggles had not been sorted out. All credit to the whole team for the way they battled in the second half. It may not have been pretty (except for JD's first goal) - but it was effective.
Once again there was no official referee appointed for this game, and the game suffered for it. This is somethimg that the League really must sort out.
Sheldon opened the scoring after 31 minutes when Sporting again managed to cope with a throw in in their own third.
Matt Royal bagged his second of the season with a well taken shot with just 4 minutes of the half to go, to give Sporting a well deserved draw at the break.
Unfortunately for a few minutes before and around 15 minutes after break Sporting went into self destruct mode again - I won't go into details here. The opposition took full advantage and went 2 goals up before we sorted ourselves out.
John Davis then made his come back after injury an revitalised the team with 2 well taken goals (especially for a full back) in 10 minutes.
The game was finally killed off for the home side when Chris Wall got the reward for his hard work to get his second of the season with only 2 minutes of the match remaining.
This is a game we could easily have lost if the little niggles had not been sorted out. All credit to the whole team for the way they battled in the second half. It may not have been pretty (except for JD's first goal) - but it was effective.
Once again there was no official referee appointed for this game, and the game suffered for it. This is somethimg that the League really must sort out.
Vs Hall Green (Home)
AT LAST - Sporting got the result they have deserved all season.
Despite having a number of 'regular starters' unavailable Sporting took control and played some really good football from the whistle.
Despite dominating the play were again unable to find the back of the net
It took a defender to break the duck with full back Martin opening the scoring after 9 minutes of the second half.
Sporting continued to dominate the second period without adding to the score untill 2 minutes from time when Super Sub Steve Sale "rose majestically above the defenders " to head the ball into the back of visitors net and seal the victory.
The commitment of all of the squad could not be faulted today.
Thanks must go to Hall Green for their attitude and the spirit in which the game was played.
I hate to say this, but feel I must - great ref!
I hope we get him a few more times this season.
Despite having a number of 'regular starters' unavailable Sporting took control and played some really good football from the whistle.
Despite dominating the play were again unable to find the back of the net
It took a defender to break the duck with full back Martin opening the scoring after 9 minutes of the second half.
Sporting continued to dominate the second period without adding to the score untill 2 minutes from time when Super Sub Steve Sale "rose majestically above the defenders " to head the ball into the back of visitors net and seal the victory.
The commitment of all of the squad could not be faulted today.
Thanks must go to Hall Green for their attitude and the spirit in which the game was played.
I hate to say this, but feel I must - great ref!
I hope we get him a few more times this season.
VS GB Rangers (Away)
One again Sporting managed to loose a game they had dominated for most of the time.
For most of the first half Sporting were camped in the opposition half with the home sides goals coming against the run of play.
Again SB showed that they are a very good footballing side, but failed to convert the chances they created
We do though have to learn how to defend against set pieces and throw ins close to goal - this was our downfall again to day.
At half time with the score at 2-0 to GB their manager expressed concerns that they could loose against " a much better footballing side". His half time talk obviously worked though as they doubled their lead within 4 minutes of the restart.
Sporting though kept battling and were rewarded with a goal from Saley No3
To be truthfull this the last statement is not totally acurate. It has to be said that part way through the second half some of the side lost heart and interest which partly attributed to the last goal from GB.
We knew this season would not be easy but we are in danger of making it much harder by our own attitude
For most of the first half Sporting were camped in the opposition half with the home sides goals coming against the run of play.
Again SB showed that they are a very good footballing side, but failed to convert the chances they created
We do though have to learn how to defend against set pieces and throw ins close to goal - this was our downfall again to day.
At half time with the score at 2-0 to GB their manager expressed concerns that they could loose against " a much better footballing side". His half time talk obviously worked though as they doubled their lead within 4 minutes of the restart.
Sporting though kept battling and were rewarded with a goal from Saley No3
To be truthfull this the last statement is not totally acurate. It has to be said that part way through the second half some of the side lost heart and interest which partly attributed to the last goal from GB.
We knew this season would not be easy but we are in danger of making it much harder by our own attitude
Vs College Arms
Sporting continued their climb up the learning curve against a vastly more experienced College Arms side.
The main thing we should have learned already is that the football at open age bears no relationship to the game they have been playing for the last 8 or 9 years. Balls skills have mostly been replaced by muscle power.
Sundays opposition were physically much bigger than our lads and had around 15 years more experience in this type of football. Having said that our lads performed well despite being on the wrong end of a 3-1 score line.
Their commitment and attitude could not be faulted, and for most of the game ran rings around the older guys. Unfortunately the extra years of experience prevented us from taking advantage of some very tired legs on the opposition side in the second half.
It could be argued that at this stage of our first season in open age results and scores are secondary to the experience gained. In goal terms the difference between the teams today was one silly goal, and a well taken free kick awarded for an accidental hand ball.
We may not have got any points from this game but we did gain the respect from another opposition side for our commitment and style of play. The comments this week were that given a couple of years experience at this level our lads would be ‘unstoppable’
After a second consecutive defeat you may think that the lads would have been dejected following the game – quite the opposite – they all seemed to be on a high because they knew they had played well and that it will not be long before we start picking up points.
One downside to the game is that one of the opposition lads appears to have broken his ankle. He had been ‘putting it about’ all through out the game and was obviously on very tired legs.
He’s around six foot and built like a brick outhouse so I can imagine his embarrassment in casualty (and even more so in the pub afterwards) explaining that it happened after a clash with a 5 foot 6 inch 16 year old.
Seriously though everyone at Sporting Brockhurst wishes him a speedy recovery
The main thing we should have learned already is that the football at open age bears no relationship to the game they have been playing for the last 8 or 9 years. Balls skills have mostly been replaced by muscle power.
Sundays opposition were physically much bigger than our lads and had around 15 years more experience in this type of football. Having said that our lads performed well despite being on the wrong end of a 3-1 score line.
Their commitment and attitude could not be faulted, and for most of the game ran rings around the older guys. Unfortunately the extra years of experience prevented us from taking advantage of some very tired legs on the opposition side in the second half.
It could be argued that at this stage of our first season in open age results and scores are secondary to the experience gained. In goal terms the difference between the teams today was one silly goal, and a well taken free kick awarded for an accidental hand ball.
We may not have got any points from this game but we did gain the respect from another opposition side for our commitment and style of play. The comments this week were that given a couple of years experience at this level our lads would be ‘unstoppable’
After a second consecutive defeat you may think that the lads would have been dejected following the game – quite the opposite – they all seemed to be on a high because they knew they had played well and that it will not be long before we start picking up points.
One downside to the game is that one of the opposition lads appears to have broken his ankle. He had been ‘putting it about’ all through out the game and was obviously on very tired legs.
He’s around six foot and built like a brick outhouse so I can imagine his embarrassment in casualty (and even more so in the pub afterwards) explaining that it happened after a clash with a 5 foot 6 inch 16 year old.
Seriously though everyone at Sporting Brockhurst wishes him a speedy recovery
Vs Hobs Meadow
This was a much closer game than the score would suggest. Sporting took the lead after just 7 minutes when a great shot from Lee hit the back of the net (actually it went straight through the back of the net)
Hobs Meadow equalised 2 minutes later with a blistering shot that would have beaten any keeper. A silly defensive mix up 10 minutes before the break allowed the home side to take the lead.
The second half was also fairly even exept for around 10 minutes when Sportings heads were elsewhere, allowing Hobbs Meadow to score 3 easy goals in 6 minutes.
I have vowed not to critisise the man in black this year so I won't. Hobs Meadow though may do!
A free kick outside the box somehow became a penalty to us which Chris cooly converted
This was followed shortly before the final whistle with a double sending off with two Hobs players being shown the red card for telling the ref what they thought of him. A lesson to be learned there I think!!!
We may have lost this match but received some positive comments from the opposition management. They said that playing the way we did for most of this game we should do well against other teams in the league.
Hobs Meadow equalised 2 minutes later with a blistering shot that would have beaten any keeper. A silly defensive mix up 10 minutes before the break allowed the home side to take the lead.
The second half was also fairly even exept for around 10 minutes when Sportings heads were elsewhere, allowing Hobbs Meadow to score 3 easy goals in 6 minutes.
I have vowed not to critisise the man in black this year so I won't. Hobs Meadow though may do!
A free kick outside the box somehow became a penalty to us which Chris cooly converted
This was followed shortly before the final whistle with a double sending off with two Hobs players being shown the red card for telling the ref what they thought of him. A lesson to be learned there I think!!!
We may have lost this match but received some positive comments from the opposition management. They said that playing the way we did for most of this game we should do well against other teams in the league.
Vs Yardley?(ex Ring Of Bells)
Tonights game was probably a fairer indication of what lies ahead than Sundays game against the older side.
Thanks to the experience and settling effect of Steve sale in mid field Sporting started well matching the more experienced team in all areas. A spectalcular (no exageration) mid air strike from Big S left the visitors slightly embarased at the half time break.
They came out for the second half determined not to be beaten by a bunch of kids and showed just how hard open age football can be. Sporting though for the most part were up to the task and played some excellent football dominating the play for much of the second half. The visitors misery was increased mid way into the second period when Josh hit the back of the net to give Sporting a 2 goal advantage
The effect of the increased playing time and niggles about hard tackling contributed to Sporting loosing their concentration slightly allowing the visitors to salvage a little pride by netting the equalisers late on in the half.
The lesson to be learned from todays game is, as one of the opposition said, "if you give it you have to be prepared to take it".
Sporting showed today that they can give it, we now have to learn how to take it without allowing it to upset our game.
Overall though another encouraging result. If we were awarding a man of the match it would have to have been shared by 5 or 6 of tonights squad, including the old man with dodgy knees!
Thanks to the experience and settling effect of Steve sale in mid field Sporting started well matching the more experienced team in all areas. A spectalcular (no exageration) mid air strike from Big S left the visitors slightly embarased at the half time break.
They came out for the second half determined not to be beaten by a bunch of kids and showed just how hard open age football can be. Sporting though for the most part were up to the task and played some excellent football dominating the play for much of the second half. The visitors misery was increased mid way into the second period when Josh hit the back of the net to give Sporting a 2 goal advantage
The effect of the increased playing time and niggles about hard tackling contributed to Sporting loosing their concentration slightly allowing the visitors to salvage a little pride by netting the equalisers late on in the half.
The lesson to be learned from todays game is, as one of the opposition said, "if you give it you have to be prepared to take it".
Sporting showed today that they can give it, we now have to learn how to take it without allowing it to upset our game.
Overall though another encouraging result. If we were awarding a man of the match it would have to have been shared by 5 or 6 of tonights squad, including the old man with dodgy knees!
Some Side Over 35
Sporting Brockhurst started their open age debut season warm up with a friendly against a vastly experienced over 35's side.
Although some of our squad had to play for the opposition to make up the numbers, there were still enough to cause us a few problems.
It took me about 5 minutes to forget the age difference, which is apparently 5 minutes longer than most of the lads. To say that they were not phased would be an understatement.
It took a while for the team to settle in to a new formation with a few new players. This gave the opposition chance to take a 2 -0 lead within 15 minutes.
Thankfully Sporting refused to fold and began to play some good football, which if not for some excellent work from the visitors keeper could have given Sporting the edge.
A screaming shot from Saley No.3 just before half time did beat him though and reduced the deficit.
It took Gary a full season last year before he finally scored in the last game, this year he managed 2 in the first game when he netted the equaliser shortly after the restart.
There were many encouraging signs for the upcoming season not the least of which was the 'old mans' ability to play for 45 minutes even if it was for the other side.
Although some of our squad had to play for the opposition to make up the numbers, there were still enough to cause us a few problems.
It took me about 5 minutes to forget the age difference, which is apparently 5 minutes longer than most of the lads. To say that they were not phased would be an understatement.
It took a while for the team to settle in to a new formation with a few new players. This gave the opposition chance to take a 2 -0 lead within 15 minutes.
Thankfully Sporting refused to fold and began to play some good football, which if not for some excellent work from the visitors keeper could have given Sporting the edge.
A screaming shot from Saley No.3 just before half time did beat him though and reduced the deficit.
It took Gary a full season last year before he finally scored in the last game, this year he managed 2 in the first game when he netted the equaliser shortly after the restart.
There were many encouraging signs for the upcoming season not the least of which was the 'old mans' ability to play for 45 minutes even if it was for the other side.