U15A Whitehorse vs Doncaster Rovers 17th May
Terrara Park looked in good condition with little wind and overcast conditions. It was time to match it against one of the top teams that had scored 14 goals in the first three games. In an unusual pre-game report it appeared as if the ref in his Sunday casuals was “booked” by the ref from the other game for not being correctly attired. Is this the first “white card” we have seen?
The game started out with both sides passing the ball around, however it looked like Rovers had better intensity at the ball and were passing with more accuracy. Soon the Whitehorse defenders were under pressure with several forward moves going unrewarded, with shots by Elliot, Drew and Michael P. Down back Luke was steady in goal, Chris T & Daniel were defending stoutly, Mitch was playing in an unfamiliar role at right back and Elliot on the left, whilst Chris S was sweeping and providing excellent cover for his defence. In midfield, Alex, Drew and Matt V were more than holding their own winning many one on one’s and setting up some good forward thrusts. Up forward Nick V and Michael were getting into the play with some good forward moves with many shots on goal, although they lacked power.
It looked like the usual Rovers game was coming unstuck in front of goal with most of the play, but no reward. With a couple of minutes to go another good forward thrust by Alex and a fumble by their goalie allowed Michael P to pounce on the lose ball for a tap in from 1 metre. This was a well deserved goal and it looked like Rovers would be up at half-time. However a soft free to Whitehorse just over the half way line, and a lack of concentration resulted in a long free kick which deceived Luke and found the top corner of the net for the equalizer. This took a bit of steam out of Rovers at half-time.
Half-time score: Whitehorse 1 : Rovers 1
The second half started out with Rovers again on top in most positions and putting pressure on the Whitehorse backs. Being second to the contest did not help Whitehorse and they soon earned the displeasure of the Ref with a red card for bad language. Rovers kept on attacking and shots went wide or high, letting Whitehorse off the hook. York on for Matt D and Steve was on for Mitch. Steve was providing plenty of contest and a lot of drive down the right side. Alex and Drew were controlling midfield and the defenders were on top mopping up any forward moves by Whitehorse without too much fuss. Rovers had a couple of free kicks but the balls went wide or high. Finally, Alex got around a couple of defenders in the corner to pass to Matt V right in front, bang a goal and we looked home.
Unfortunately Whitehorse got the ball forward to a Rovers three on one but we gave away a free kick for falling over and again No 3 for Whitehorse put away a goal that should not have happened. Poor positioning of the wall resulted in a free kick which found the bottom left hand corner.
Again we had squandered our chances and conceded two silly goals which cost us the three points.
Whitehorse were penalized for a couple of late and crude tackles, the complaining went on and on which resulted in another Red card. They were down to 9 men and with the extra pressure Rovers attacks mounted. Whitehorse kept complaining to no avail, Rovers mounted another attack but the Ref’s whistle beat them. It was easily the best display of the year by the boys and shows what we can do if we “have a crack.”
Scores at full-time: Whitehorse 2 : Rovers 2
ROVERS - keep up the good team play, the goals will surely come!
