U15A Malvern vs Doncaster Rovers 12th July
This was the return match where we owed Malvern a home ground defeat after they beat us in the first round at Anderson Park. The day was windy and cold, however there were no showers. The strong cross wind influenced the game making judgement of the fall of the ball difficult especially in the first half. At least Rovers had a full side to choose from, the first time since the first round of the season.
We began with Luke in goal, Chris S was sweeping, Chris T and Daniel were playing as twin Central Defenders whilst Elliot and
Matt V were playing as wide wing backs on the left and right respectively. Nick was Central Midfielder, flanked by Alex on the right and Drew on the left with Michael P and Matt D as twin strikers.
It was an even start to the game with both sides defending well and pushing the ball forwards but slowly Rovers got on top and started to press the defense with the first three corners, all to no avail as the keeper and defenders kept the ball out with not too much fuss. There were some good individual efforts from all players but the passing was all over the place and at times the defense looked very shaky with foot skills down on previous weeks. Alex had some good runs forward and with a couple of frees Nick tested the keeper and Chris got a deflection but the keeper again saved. Mitch replaced Matt D up front, whilst Steven came on as a right wing back, allowing
Matt V to replace Michael P just before the break .
Malvern came out of defense well but lacked any spark up forward and did not really test Luke to any great extent. The whistle blew for half time with no advance on the scoreline since the kick off.
Half-time score: Malvern 0 : Rovers 0
Steve made several changes after the break to get the side firing. York, Dion and Nick V came on at various stages to give the team a boost. Rovers were on top in nearly all facets of the game and all the play was down in front of the Malvern goals where many attacks came to nothing. Steve had a couple of shots from wide on the right flank that gave the keeper some trouble. Chris T also crossed into the box where Drew’s well timed volley went wide of the keeper, but unfortunately the wrong side of the keeper’s right goal post.
York had another good shot which just cleared the cross-bar. Then Nick V made the best solo run of the game, beating 4 defenders whilst running at goals but the ball was eventually scrambled out by their last defender. Matt V had a great opportunity to put a score on the board when he took the keeper on but his shot just deflected off the keepers hands out past goal. This followed a brilliant move which saw Steven play a defense splitting ball to Alex, whose turn and cross picked out Matt V, just inside the box.
Chris S took a couple of good corners that the keeper just managed to save on the line. York also headed a corner just over the bar to complete a very frustrating afternoon for the team and the parents. In the interim Malvern were also getting frustrated and received several yellow cards for poor tackles and blatant pushing.
To be so far on top in general play and still not score has been the Achilles heel of the team all year and until we can address this fundamental issue Rovers will not make it to the top of the league. This is a real pity since we have the best all round side in the competition.
Keep up the good work boys we will score more goals if we continue to play well and SHOOT!!
Scores at full-time: Malvern 0 : Rovers 0
ROVERS –next week we play Ringwood at home so let’s get on the scoreboard early.
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