(Due to a technical problem photos (the batteries on the camera ran out of charge) are unavailable for this game)
Having narrowly lost earlier in the day the Blues were out to finish the day on a high. Unfortunately fate once again played its cruel part and victory was not to be.
Y.M.C.A kicked off and broke through. Charlotte was alert to the danger and battled shoulder to shoulder with the Y.M.C.A forward and was able to clear the ball.
Play moved to the other end of the field where Dewi charged through using his strength and power to force a corner. Unfortunately the corner came to nothing and play once again switched to the Blues’ end of the field where Y.M.C.A were able to force a corner of their own. Regrettably the resultant cross landed at the feet of an unmarked Y.M.C.A player who rifled the ball into the back of the Blues’ net giving Henry no chance in goal.
The Blues responded from the kick off and a strong run down the right saw Joe C cross into the area but unfortunately just behind Harry.
Y.M.C.A attacked again and a 3 on 1 overlap was spurned when the Y.M.C.A forward shot early and wide of Henry’s post.
The game started to get scrappy and Y.M.C.A were guilty of over enthusiasm in the tackles. The Blues were not to be intimidated though and gave as good as they got.
From a long punt down field by Joe A, the ball ricocheted off the back of Harry and fell at Ben’s feet. Ben’s first time shot went wide and out for a goal kick.
Henry punted the ball long where Harry battled with the Y.M.C.A defence on the edge of their area. The ball broke to Dewi, who slid forward, and was able to get enough power on the shot to beat the diving Y.M.C.A goalkeeper and level the score. It was Dewi’s second goal of the day and well deserved.
The goal invigorated the Blues and they launched numerous attacks. Harry and Dewi combined well just outside the Y.M.C.A area and Joe C begged to be put through on the right hand side, but the pass from Harry was intercepted with a certain goal inevitable.
Ben got into the action and beat one tackle down the left. His cross was met by Harry in the area, but his shot hit the side netting of the Y.M.C.A goal.
The action continued and Dewi darted forward and into the area where a sliding keeper blocked his path. The ball bobbled to Harry who saw his effort rebound off a defender. The ball bounced to Joe C who was unlucky to see his shot pass wide of the post.
The end to end football continued and Y.M.C.A broke through the defence of Joe A and Charlotte following a long ball, but Henry was quick off his line and dived bravely at the feet of the striker and prevented any addition to the score line.
The Y.M.C.A goalkeeper was soon to replicate Henry’s save. Dewi passed the ball to Harry in the Y.M.C.A area and just as he shot the goalkeeper dived at his feet and managed to touch the ball, causing it to hit the outside of the post and go out for a corner.
The save proved to be the last notable action of the half and the Blues were unfortunate to be only level at the break.
The second half saw the introduction of Tim and Will for Ben and Dewi. The new arrivals were quick to get in on the action and a break from inside the Blues’ half saw Tim slide a pass to Will. Will dove forward and released Harry, who in turn tried to play Joe C in on the right, but the pass was intercepted.
Moments later, Tim played a delightful pass from the half way line that sent Harry through on goal with only the goalkeeper to beat. As he shot, his foot caught the ground and the ball bobbled safely into the goalkeeper’s hands. The Blues were starting to dominate and a goal looked inevitable.
Y.M.C.A were not to be outdone though and broke through with a 4 on 2 overlap. Fortunately Joe A and Charlotte were able to deal with the trouble and clear the danger.
Returning to the Y.M.C.A half, Tim went on a dynamic run down the left that saw him bare down on goal. Just as he was about to shoot the Y.M.C.A defender was able to stick out a leg, catching Tim on the ankle, which was enough to force him wide. If Tim had been in the Premiership he would have dived dramatically and earned a penalty, but being the fare player that he is, he tried to reach the ball and continue his run to no avail.
From the goal kick, Will picked the ball up inside the Y.M.C.A half and fired in a shot that was saved by the Y.M.C.A goalkeeper.
Tim’s confidence was sky high and again he drifted passed two defenders that saw him reach the by-line. Unfortunately his cross was intercepted by the Y.M.C.A goalkeeper. The goalkeeper cleared with a long punt up field and Charlotte did well to clear the high, bouncing ball – the team’s nemesis!
Another goal had to come, but with only 2 minutes remaining it arrived at the wrong end of the pitch and against the run of play. Y.M.C.A broke into the Blues’ area from a throw in. Charlotte battled shoulder to shoulder with the Y.M.C.A striker, slid in her tackle and managed to scoop the ball. Somehow the ball bounced off the Y.M.C.A striker, ricocheted sideways passed the advancing Henry and straight into the path of another Y.M.C.A striker who was able to side foot the ball into the back of the net. It was yet another cruel blow to the team and undeserved.
With only a minute left on the clock the Blues were unable to redress the balance and Y.M.C.A stole the 3 points.
