The Oranges started in fine style with a
physical line up designed to match up the reds in midfield. Jack B, Hayden and
Tyrell started at the back with Sean pushed up alongside Jack D in the centre
of midfield and Alfie and Riley up front, of the smaller players in the team
Dorrell started in a free role in midfield and Mus and Jack F started on the
bench.
An early Alfie goal after a Riley pass and
good pressure from the midfield, shutting out any red threat made it look like
there was only one team in it. Grange Rovers pressed and enjoyed a great deal
of possession but couldn’t beak down a strong red defence.
Tyrell, clearly motivated by the need for
the bragging rights in is own home after the game, threw himself into every
tackle, with Jack B and Hayden mopping up in a more measured way behind him.
Luke did everything that was asked of him
stopping the ball down low once and sweeping up on a second occasion. There was nothing more he could have
done to save the excellent equalizer which ricocheted in off the bar.
1-1 at half time seemed a little harsh but
the final score of 3-3 was probably fair.
The second Grange Rovers' goal was made in
the defence with Jack B winning a last ditch tackle and sending it forward.
After a flowing move Dorrell scored with an exquisite lob.
If there is a weakness to the Grange Rovers
mindset it is that there are too many defensive minded players and once they
were ahead again the back line dropped deep and invited pressure. Jack F
and Mus worked hard at keeping the ball in midfield but first one then two red
goals found the back of the net, despite the best efforts of Riley who made more saves than the two he conceded and who'd bravely
donned the gloves after Luke had left the field hurt at half time.
It was late in the game and talismanic midfielder
Jack D came of with a twisted knee, it looked to be all over, Stafford seemed
to have the points when up popped Alfie to score with a drive of a quality you don’t
see very often and to secure a deserved point.
Tyrell was awarded man of the match for his
tough tackling approach, and we hope his sister who played in midfield for the
opposition well after she left the park to have a painful and swollen hand looked
at.
The game was played in the best of spirits
with both teams giving 100%, it was a full blooded affair, but the friendly
nature of the relationships between players, spectators and coaches showed the
league off to its very best, well done to all involved.
Dorrell
MOTM Tyrell
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