U18s White Vs Calverton MW Red

Back at Bispham again for the first time in over a month for this weeks match against Calverton MW.

The starting lineup saw Dan putting on the gloves, Eddie in defence, a midfield pairing of Alex and Michael O and Coby up front. Straight from the kick off it was obvious that, with a combination of a heavy pitch and a well organised Calverton Team, this was not going to be an easy match for the Tornados. The first quarter, however, was fairly evenly matched with both sides struggling to put passing movements together on a difficult playing surface and chances were few and far between. Despite going a goal behind from a well worked move, Tornados continued to ‘battle’ all over the pitch, with Eddie refusing to give the Calverton attackers any time on the ball and, on the occasions that the Tornados defensive line was breached, Calverton found Dan in good form keeping the scoreline close as the whistle blew for the end of the first ¼.

The second ¼ retained Dan in goal with a change in outfield personnel. Nathan took over from Eddie at the back, Emin and Michael E in came on into midfield and Oliver took up his familiar striking position. Straight from the kick off Tornados had Calverton on the back-foot, but were unable to capitalise. As the ¼ progressed it became more even with both sides having chances and Emin in particular unlucky not to get on the scoresheet with a powerful shot from a tight angle after a piece of individual skill which bought him space in a tightly packed Calverton box. As the ¼ drew to a close Calverton enjoyed a period of pressure but again great goalkeeping from Dan, kept Tornados in the game.

The 3rd quarter saw Nathan take over from Dan in between the sticks, Alex becoming last man, Eddie moving into midfield alongside Coby and Oliver continuing up front. As with the 1st two quarters there was an even start to the 3rd and Tornados were unlucky to concede again when a speculative free kick from long range deflected off the Tornados defence and ended up in the back of the net. Despite this set-back, spirits remained high and almost immediately an excellent pass from Coby in midfield put Dan through on goal but, just as he was about to pull the trigger, the Calverton keeper got a toe to the ball to knock it safe. Typically, Nathan then put his own safety in jeopardy with a last ditch tackle when a Calverton attacker was bearing down on goal, and with the keeper down injured Alex managed to clear the ball to safety. Luckily Nathan was able to continue which seemed to spur on Tornados, who were unlucky not to pull a goal back with the best passing move of the match. Nathan took a goal kick to Alex on the half-way line. Alex produced a pin-point pass to Coby on the edge of the area, who’s first time shot was on target, but unfortunately the Calverton keeper got his body behind the shot and managed to parry it away.  Just before the whistle blew for the end of the 1/4 , another 1st time shot by Coby from a weak goalkeeper clearance landed a foot the wrong side of the post.

The start of the final 10 saw Michael E in defence, Eddie and Michael O in midfield and Dan up front. Although behind, heads stayed positive and a ‘Route One’ clearance from Michael E was brought under control instantly by Dan just outside the Calverton area, who passed back to Emin (replacement for Eddie), who returned the ball to Dan to shoot, but again the Calverton keeper stood firm. As time ticked on and Tornados committed men forward in an attempt to push for a goal, the defence was left exposed and Calverton added another and in the final minute scored again, but not before a certain goal was prevented by another trademark Nathan last ditch tackle which even the current City Ground ‘gaffer’ would have been proud of.

Overall playing a good Calverton team on a difficult pitch was never going to be an easy prospect, but positively, the team kept going to the end and managed to create some good chances though a combination of hard work and positive play.

Man of the Match went to Eddie, who never stopped running for the entire time he was on the pitch, whether in midfield, defence or attack.