Galleywood Kestrels v DUFC Piranhas

22nd April 2018.  KO – 10am. Piranhas sizzle in the sun!

Team:
3 - Louis F               7 - Cameron M
4 - Tom A                9 - Zach L
5 - Leo M                10 - Charlie T
6 - Harry H

A beautiful Sunday morning in Chelmsford provided the backdrop for the latest Piranhas encounter, an away game against Galleywood Kestrels. It would be the first time we had faced the Kestrels this season as previously the fixture had twice fallen fowl of the weather.

With Charlie W and Sam M both away on international duty this week, we knew it was going to be a really tough day playing with no subs in the blistering heat.

During the warm up the passing was sharp and quick, and the boys looked like they were ready for action. The pitch was looking ok apart from the sand in the goalmouth that would have given Bournemouth Beach a run for its money!

The team lined up in familiar fashion with Charlie T starting in goal, Leo M and Louis F in defence, Cameron M and Zach L on the wings with Tom A in the middle of the park and Harry H leading the line.

​The two captains met the referee for the coin toss and the game got underway.

It would be fair to say that the first half of the match gave little to report on with two well matched teams fighting out a battle in midfield. The Piranhas had started the game slightly on top and there was a collective Galleywood sigh of relief as they saw their best player arrive in the distance!! He was immediately subbed into the game and remained on until the end! Despite the new challenge, the game remained tight up until half time with only really a couple of half chances for each team. Neither goalkeeper really had a save to make.

The Piranhas were playing some nice football and were battling hard in the warm conditions but were unable to make the breakthrough.

As the team came in at half time, we insisted they took fluid on board as we knew it would get tougher into the second half. Tom A went in goal, meaning Harry H would drop into midfield and Charlie T went up front.

The start of the second half saw the Piranhas go up through the gears and it wasn’t long before the breakthrough finally came. Great passing work through the team saw Harry H move the ball to Cameron M who drove up the pitch and fed the ball into Zach L. Zach jinked his way inside and smashed the ball past the Galleywood keeper.

The team continued to play some great football but with no subs, the hot conditions soon started to take its toll on the boys and the Kestrels started to fight their way back into the match.

Leo M and Louis F were starting to find themselves more exposed as the team were getting caught up the pitch but between them they contained the Kestrels with some outstanding defensive play. There was a Hansen / Lawrenson type understanding between the two boys as they continued to limit Galleywood to half chances.

The Kestrels did get a break though as they were awarded a soft penalty. Up stepped the forward looking confident, but he hadn’t banked on Tom A being big and menacing in the sticks. The penalty was struck and the diving Tom saved with his feet. Brilliant.

The Piranhas were creaking a little and the striker soon made up for his penalty miss as he raced clear of the Piranhas defence to slot home.

The team didn’t give up and managing to find some energy reserves had a couple of chances to with the game with shots from Charlie T and Zach L whistling over the bar and then in the dying seconds Zach L and Charlie T raced at up the pitch facing a two on one with the Galleywood defender, with the boys just about to make their move, the referee blew the final whistle!

The result was probably fair on the balance of play with two well matched teams, although the Piranhas deserved more with the amount of effort they had put into the match considering the conditions and playing without subs.

MOTM today went jointly to Leo M and Louis F for their defensive display, especially towards the end of the game where the team came under enormous pressure. These two lads are forming quite a partnership!

Thanks as always to the Piranhas travelling faithful, encouraging the boys throughout in their usual buoyant, yet respectful fashion.

Well Done Lads!

Next Match: 29th April. 
Away v Wilvale Rangers. 
KO – 10.30am.