[JonInMiddleGA]

Dec 28, 2013 (morning)
Our U18's played a league match vs Eastbourne Boro, losing 2-0
They get a fluke header that bounces in off the crossbar at 27'. They hit the post and miss at 45'. Those were the only two official shots of the first half. 74' Ferguson is high with a header, our first shot of the match. Moments later Ferguson gets a yellow for persistent fouling. Creswell plays a long ball to Branker, his shot is turned away at 78'. We're in overload mode, Madine misses a header wider right at 80'. They get a close range goal at 84 and we're done for.

Not sure where that went wrong, we just got dominated. Didn't get off a shot for 74 minutes, only after we switched to Fluid from Balanced did we show any sign of life at all. They were better in the air (78%-54%) but otherwise largely even on the stat sheet. Ferguson will miss the next U18 match having gotten his 5th yellow of the season.


Dec 28, 2013 (afternoon)
Blyth (6-7-8, 14th BSBN) at Colwyn Bay (5-7-9, 18th BSBN)
They are a 6:4 favorite. Stick with 4-4-2 Diamond Standard to open then figure out what comes next. We kind of need a win here, don't want to get much closer to the drop zone than we already are.

GK: McDonald
D: Giddings, A.Jones, Seidu, Groves
MF: Sawyer, Harrison, Ricketts, Moke
F: Mutero, Rickard
Available Subs: (Nightingale, Carruthers, Cofie, Whitaker,,Dovey)

16' - After a bit of a chippy start to the match, Moke gets dragged down in the box from the blind side ... Rickard takes the shot and nails it right off the keeper's fingertips (1-0) His first goal since October after missing nearly two months with various injuries.
41' - A corner try by Giddings, into the middle of the box ... Seidu goes down hard and is awarded the penalty ... Rickard misses it wide, he's really struggling physically, maybe back from the ankle injury too soon?

Halftime - We make it to the break with a one goal lead that should be two in all honesty. We'll start the second half in Defensive mode, hoping to get just a little more out of the banged up player Rickard and Groves.

59' - Mutero is denied after a nice give and go with Moke
61' - Sub Nightingale (for Groves, tired & knocked)
61' - Sub Carruthers (for Rickard, tired & knocked) ... switch to 4-1-4-1 ... remain Defensive
71' - Sharp passing from the midfield creates a chance for Carruthers but his shot is turned away, the rebound cleared
76' - They break down our defense, work the ball for a shot from the spot ... and Dean Bennett ties the match (1-1)
77' - Switch to Standard
82' - A corner kick, a header, we're saved by the crossbar
82' - Sub Whitaker (for Giddings, tired) ... switch to 4-1-3-2, move Moke to ST/AMR
89' - Three blocked shots in the area save our bacon under intense pressure
90:45 - Sawyer chases down a loose ball in the offensive half, he's trampled by Tomlin who gets his second yellow card and we'll be up a man for the 3 remaining minutes of extra time. Attack mode activated
93' - Whitaker's crossing attempt is headed out for a corner
95' - Mutero has a clean chance ... right into the keeper's belly

Fulltime: Blyth 1 - Colwyn Bay 1

Dec 28, 2013 (postmatch)
Hard not to feel that one got away. We actually got outplayed if you look at the stat sheet but for most of the match it felt like we had control. Well, better a point than no points I suppose.

After the match, we confirm that we've reached an agreement to keep GK Jack Dovey here through next season.