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Leckhampton Rovers 'B' 0 Charlton Rovers Blues 2
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With the weather forecast for heavy rain, everybody was pleasantly surprised to see the sun shinning at Whaddon Rec for the away fixture against
Leckhampton Rovers 'B'.
The Blues started brightly and were soon into their stride with Joe C breaking down the right. Joe fired in an early shot that was initially fumbled by the Leckhampton goalkeeper, but retrieved on the second attempt before the on rushing Joe B could reach it.
Following the bright start, the game moved into a stalemate situation with Joe A and Owen keeping the Leckhampton strikers quiet at the back and the Blues midfield unable to dominate their Leckhampton counterparts.
(Joe A battles to win the ball during his fine perfomance.)
The game soon sparked into life though and it followed an untypical mistake from this reporters man of the match, Joe A. Joe was caught in possession on the edge of his
own penalty area and the Leckhampton striker fired a shot across Henry's goal that was begging to be touched in by an on rushing striker. To the Blues relief the danger was avoided. This
seemed to spur Leckhampton and they attempted to breach the Blues defence. Joe A was not having any of it though, and from there on demonstrated
a near faultless display of defending.
Encouraged by the solid platform that the defence was providing, the Blues midfield shifted into gear. A couple of moves involving Joe B, Ben and Will ultimately led
to Will shooting from outside the Leckhampton penalty area. Unfortunately the ball sliced off the outside of his boot and just missed the corner flag.
The game moved back to the centre of the pitch where Will was caught in possession. The Leckhampton striker bore down on goal, but Henry was quick off his line and narrowed the angle superbly, allowing himself to make a fine save with his legs.
The Blues made a couple of substitutions, and the impact of the fresh legs was immediate. Finn tackled well on the half way line and passed the ball to Tim. Cutting
inside from the right hand touchline, Tim stroked the ball goalwards
to the on rushing Dewi. Dewi broke into the area and his shot blasted into the side netting.
The Blues were becoming more confident and that confidence was evident with Dewi shooting from outside the Leckhampton area, and also Finn chancing his arm with a long shot. Unfortunately both shots were straight at the goalkeeper.
Just before half time, a dangerous cross from a Leckhampton corner led to the team’s second nemesis, the goalmouth scramble (the first being the high bouncing ball). Fortunately Joe A was able to clear following a
couple of ricochets, and the referee blew for half time with the scores level at 0 - 0.
The second half saw Leckhampton earn a corner. Following the cross, Joe A made a superb tackle that forced the eventual shot from the Leckhampton striker to fire wide.
Moments later, Leckhampton broke away, but for the second time that morning, Henry was equal to the shot, and saved well. Henry punted the ball forward and Joe C forced a throw in. From the throw in,
Joe C crossed into the Leckhampton area and where Tim slid forwards and into the on rushing goalkeeper who was able to snaffle the ball.
The Blues were becoming confident and started to run the game. A long clearance from Henry saw Joe B work well with Ben. Ben spotted the on rushing
Joe C on the overlap and fed him the ball. Joe's resultant shot from the right was saved by the Leckhampton goalkeeper.
Ben was starting to create chances and he fed a ball to Tim. Tim was through on goal, but just as he shot he was nudged off balance, resulting in his shot passing wide of the Leckhampton post.
With the solid platform at the back provided by Joe A and Charlotte, the Blues looked for goals that their play looked likely to bring. Dewi broke free on the right, and bore down on goal. A cynical
tackle from behind stopped him in his tracks. Will, quick thinking, picked up the ball and took a quick free kick into the Leckhampton penalty area where Joe C and Dewi were
up against two defenders. Joe C wrestled the ball away from the goalkeeper and defender where it was pounced on by Dewi. His first time shot from close
range rifled into the back of the Leckhampton net. The Blues were ecstatic and it was a well deserved goal.
(Dewi makes a break and bares down on goal and earns the free kick that leads to his first goal against Leckhampton Rovers 'B'. The Leckhampton goalkeeper prepares for some Irish dancing.)
Following the kick off, Leckhampton moved forward. Charlotte stole the ball from the Leckhampton striker and sent a long ball forward to Dewi. Dewi
again ran at the Leckhampton defence, but this time saw his shot saved by the goalkeeper.
Leckhampton reacted positively and the crowd were expecting the usual last minute goal that has so often blighted good performances in the past. This time
it was not to be though and Charlotte, Owen (back on for Joe A), Henry and the crossbar were able to keep Leckhampton out.
With 30 seconds to go. Dewi battled for the ball on the half way line. He ran at the Leckhampton defence, beating one with his pace. Running into the
Leckhampton penalty area he unleashed an unstoppable shot into the roof of the Leckhampton net. It sealed the victory and brought about joyous celebrations.
(Finn, Charlotte and Owen celebrate with Dewi following his first goal against Leckhampton 'B'.)
It was a hard fought win that had been earned by an excellent all round team performance.
Report by Jon. Photographs by Mark and David.
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