10th December 2016 KO 10am. Piranhas’ battle hard to earn Wilvale result.
Team:
GK - Charlie W
DEF – Sam M
CDM – Harry H
MID - Etien H, Cameron M (C)
AM - Charlie T
GK - Charlie W
DEF – Sam M
CDM – Harry H
MID - Etien H, Cameron M (C)
AM - Charlie T
Another game on the road for the Piranhas this week, as their fixture was changed from the usual Sunday KO to Saturday instead. A trip over to Chelmsford to face Wilvale Rangers lay ahead for the team. The lads were keen to get into this fixture as the match earlier in the season had to be postponed.
The team would be down to six again this week as defensive stalwart, Tom A, had been sick all week and failed a late fitness test, much to his disappointment. In a great sporting gesture, Wilvale also agreed to play with six players to keep the game fair, a great touch from Wilvale. There are teams that would try to take advantage of the extra player!
The weather was fairly bright, however, the pitch was a bit wet and sticky following some rain in the week. The boys looked great in their away kits today as Wilvale also play in Orange.
The lads had played with six the week before so the formation would remain the same with Sam M fitting in at the back and Harry H as defensive midfield. Charlie T would again play as an attacking midfielder rather than striker and Etien H and captain Cameron M would run the midfield. Charlie W took his first half spot between the sticks.
The match got underway.
As we have come to expect in this league, the match started off like a chess match with both teams feeling their way into the game. Things remained really tight with the extra players in midfield closing off much of the space.
Charlie W in the goal made a couple of great saves from early Wilvale chances. The Wilvale tactics were very clear, they wanted to get the ball to their dangerman who would try to burst through. On the occasions they did get the ball forward, Sam M at the back had him beaten for pace and reduced him to running the ball into the corners.
Harry H supported Sam at the back and also managed to burst forward when required. Harry has so much energy! Cameron M and Etien H were industrious in the midfield, trying to get the ball up to Charlie T who worked hard to create chances.
The Piranhas first goal came when Harry H picked up the ball on the left, he popped the ball into Charlie T in the middle. Charlie turned superbly and smashed the ball past the keeper.
It wasn’t too long before Wilvale equalized as the game turned into a really even contest. The Piranhas were soon ahead again following a lovely move with Etien H battling to win the ball on the left, he pushed it forward to Charlie T. Charlie switched the ball to Cameron M on the right who crossed into Harry H who swept it home. Lovely build up.
At half time, Harry H went into goal and Charlie W came into midfield. The message was simple to the lads, keep going. The second half would definitely be a battle with tired legs creeping in.
As the second half kicked off, the Piranhas seemed to be a bit sleepy in the early moments and Wilvale scored two quick goals putting the team on the back foot.
There was no lack of effort from the team but they had a bit of a mountain to climb. Sam M carried on being a rock at the back with a really assured display. The lads huffed and puffed and it wasn’t too long before the Piranhas equalized with Charlie T finding Cameron M for him to finish well. Charlie W added a bit of much needed effort into the midfield to support Etien H and Cameron M as all the lads began to look a little weary.
The closing moments could have seen goals from either team but it was the Piranhas who came closest as a sweet strike for Charlie T cannoned back off the cross bar. Harry H also made a couple of decent saves to keep Wilvale at bay.
The team would be down to six again this week as defensive stalwart, Tom A, had been sick all week and failed a late fitness test, much to his disappointment. In a great sporting gesture, Wilvale also agreed to play with six players to keep the game fair, a great touch from Wilvale. There are teams that would try to take advantage of the extra player!
The weather was fairly bright, however, the pitch was a bit wet and sticky following some rain in the week. The boys looked great in their away kits today as Wilvale also play in Orange.
The lads had played with six the week before so the formation would remain the same with Sam M fitting in at the back and Harry H as defensive midfield. Charlie T would again play as an attacking midfielder rather than striker and Etien H and captain Cameron M would run the midfield. Charlie W took his first half spot between the sticks.
The match got underway.
As we have come to expect in this league, the match started off like a chess match with both teams feeling their way into the game. Things remained really tight with the extra players in midfield closing off much of the space.
Charlie W in the goal made a couple of great saves from early Wilvale chances. The Wilvale tactics were very clear, they wanted to get the ball to their dangerman who would try to burst through. On the occasions they did get the ball forward, Sam M at the back had him beaten for pace and reduced him to running the ball into the corners.
Harry H supported Sam at the back and also managed to burst forward when required. Harry has so much energy! Cameron M and Etien H were industrious in the midfield, trying to get the ball up to Charlie T who worked hard to create chances.
The Piranhas first goal came when Harry H picked up the ball on the left, he popped the ball into Charlie T in the middle. Charlie turned superbly and smashed the ball past the keeper.
It wasn’t too long before Wilvale equalized as the game turned into a really even contest. The Piranhas were soon ahead again following a lovely move with Etien H battling to win the ball on the left, he pushed it forward to Charlie T. Charlie switched the ball to Cameron M on the right who crossed into Harry H who swept it home. Lovely build up.
At half time, Harry H went into goal and Charlie W came into midfield. The message was simple to the lads, keep going. The second half would definitely be a battle with tired legs creeping in.
As the second half kicked off, the Piranhas seemed to be a bit sleepy in the early moments and Wilvale scored two quick goals putting the team on the back foot.
There was no lack of effort from the team but they had a bit of a mountain to climb. Sam M carried on being a rock at the back with a really assured display. The lads huffed and puffed and it wasn’t too long before the Piranhas equalized with Charlie T finding Cameron M for him to finish well. Charlie W added a bit of much needed effort into the midfield to support Etien H and Cameron M as all the lads began to look a little weary.
The closing moments could have seen goals from either team but it was the Piranhas who came closest as a sweet strike for Charlie T cannoned back off the cross bar. Harry H also made a couple of decent saves to keep Wilvale at bay.
In the end, it was a fair result in a great contest. Well played to both teams! MOTM this week went to Sam M for a commanding performance at the back on his own, he missed his partner Tom A but he didn’t let this affect his performance. Thanks, as always, to the loyal Piranhas supporters for coming out in the wet to encourage and support the boys. Well Done lads! Next Fixture - Saturday 10th December. Home v Galleywood Falcons. KO - 12pm. |