Hard Fought Win

<p> We travelled to Easington Sports today for our first game in the supplementary league. The game began with both teams probing for openings. For us the competitive tackling of Max E, Zaz and Matty and the pace and trickery of Ben and Tom and the tireless running of Charlie caused them a few problems but we were unable to create any clear cut chances. The hosts had their share of attacking moves but some great defending by Max H and Jake, ably supported by Will and Jordan, ensured they had few clear chances as well. Any shots they did have were comfortably dealt with by George.

<p> The deadlock was broken ten minutes before the break when a free kick glanced off Jakes head and into the path of an Easington player for a simple tap in. We responded well to this as we continued to try and get forward. The equaliser came five minutes before the break When Max E's shot fell into the path of Charlie who made no mistake in prodding the ball home.

<p> We started the second half on the front foot and created a couple of half chances before we took the lead six minutes into the half. Mattys long range shot was parried by the home goalie and Charlie done well to react quickest to fire the ball home. Not long after this came a moment that could have changed the outcome of the game. Max E was harshly judged to have handled inside the area and the ref awarded a penalty. For the second time this season against Easington George produced a great penalty save to keep us in front. Not long after this came the goal of the game to extend our lead, Ben's brilliant through ball landed in the path of Charlie who produced a great finish to clip the ball over the advancing goalies head to complete his second hat-trick against Easington and his third of the season.

<p> In the last ten minutes of the game we had to dig in as the hosts looked for a goal to get them back in the game. Deep into added time they did get one back which was another tap in from a rebound following a dubiously awarded free kick. About thirty seconds later the ref blew for full time.

<p> This was a hard fought win against a strong team where we showed we could mix our play between long and short. We also showed great determination and resillience and we were a lot better when we didn't have the ball than we'd been in our previous two games. BIG WELL DONE guys.