U18s White Vs Arnold Town Maroon

Weather conditions were perfect for football this week and it was back to Bispham for another home game, this time against Arnold Town Maroon. Coming off the back of the impressive performance the previous Saturday all the players were looking forward to this weeks challenge.

A slight change in tactics this week saw the Tornados starting line-up as Makai in goal, a defensive duo of Alex as last man with Eddie sitting slightly in front, Ben, Michael and Coby in midfield and Oliver the lone striker. Nathan and Jack started on the bench to give both defensive and attacking options when brought on.

As, impressively has been the norm lately, Tornados started confidently easily matching their opponents, defending assuredly, but also creating their own opportunities to score. But, as has also been the norm lately, midway through the half Tornados found themselves behind to an unlucky goal. A short goal kick from Makai to Alex saw Alex hesitate momentarily and before he knew it the Arnold striker was upon him. Alex managed to get his clearance away, but it rebounded off the striker and, whilst it could have gone anywhere, it fell straight to the feet of the striker who placed the ball past Makai.

Despite the ‘footballing gods’ seemingly being against them from the off this season, the team refused to let this setback get them down and continued to press for an equaliser, with Oliver a constant thorn in the Arnold defences side with his desire to run at them and force opportunities and Alex back to his best as last man, defending assuredly and not allowing the Arnold strikers any chances to extend their lead.

Again though, another unluckily conceded goal made the Tornados task even harder. A speculative shot from the Arnold midfielder would have been easily gathered by Makai had it not have taken the cruellest of bounces directly in front of him which sent the ball over his shoulder into the back of the net, instead of into his waiting gloves.

The second half was again evenly matched, with chances at both ends, but whether it was a last ditch block by the opposition, a save from the in-form Arnold goalkeeper, or an effort that went agonisingly past the post or over the cross bar, that first Tornados league goal of the season refused to materialise. As the match came to a close, Makai produced a save that many Premier League keepers would have been proud (and that won him this weeks man of the match award !) to tip the ball over the bar from a powerful shot, and prevent Arnold from extending their lead.

After the match, despite the loss, the players were congratulated by Coaches and supporters alike on both their individual and collective performance against a good Arnold side. They say in football that you make your own luck, but hopefully next week, that little bit of fortune will shine on Tornados and they will get their first league goal and, hopefully, the result that their performances over the past couple of weeks has deserved.