10 Dec 2016 Match report. A frozen pitch from a week ago was replaced by a muddy bog in this rearranged fixture at Laundry Lane against a big physical Longmead team.
Regardless of the pitch, the team started well, keeping the majority of the play in the opposition half with neat passing football when in possession and working hard to get the ball back when not.
It did not take too long for the Stingrays to get their reward for a solid start with great battling by James to win the ball off the opposition defenders around the edge of their box, the ball fell to Ryan who's finishing was clinical as usual leaving the goalkeeper no chance. Almost straight from the restart Longmead equalised with a cheeky back heel - I think our boys were still celebrating our goal as this was the one and only time the team all switched off to give Longmead the opportunity.
The Stingrays got straight back into their stride, again pressuring the opposition and soon regained the lead - a great long ball from George D into our forwards which led to a blistering right foot finish into the roof of the net by the ever improving Jasiu. From then on it was a case of when the third would come, with Zach and Christian using the wings to full affect, Ollie W shaving the top of the bar with one effort, soon to be followed by the third, a lung busting run by Zach on the left, a smart cross into the centre and Ollie W neatly finishing. In the lead at half time.
With Ollie R, George W and George D rotating as our defenders the opposition were getting little joy in the last third, especially with the great tracking back by James and Christian to cut off the attacks, with both carrying the ball forward with great affect after winning the ball back on a number of occasions.
The 2nd half was more of a battle probably due to the condition of the pitch, with Freddie coming out of a relatively quiet first half in goal to cover most the pitch in the second determined to win the ball and start more Stingrays attacks. With all our boys continuing to battle until the final whistle, determined to earn the victory they deserved, there were no further goals and so it finished with a win for the Stingrays.
MotM to George D for another solid defensive display and for the great team attitude he showed in the recent game against Rhodes, playing through the pain of an injured knee as he did not want to let his team mates down - a real team player.
Well played all - very proud of the performance today which was a mix of great passing football, great finishing for all three goals but also working hard and battling when required by all the boys. Thanks Kevin for another great performance as referee and thanks to all who helped to set up and put away the pitch.
It did not take too long for the Stingrays to get their reward for a solid start with great battling by James to win the ball off the opposition defenders around the edge of their box, the ball fell to Ryan who's finishing was clinical as usual leaving the goalkeeper no chance. Almost straight from the restart Longmead equalised with a cheeky back heel - I think our boys were still celebrating our goal as this was the one and only time the team all switched off to give Longmead the opportunity.
The Stingrays got straight back into their stride, again pressuring the opposition and soon regained the lead - a great long ball from George D into our forwards which led to a blistering right foot finish into the roof of the net by the ever improving Jasiu. From then on it was a case of when the third would come, with Zach and Christian using the wings to full affect, Ollie W shaving the top of the bar with one effort, soon to be followed by the third, a lung busting run by Zach on the left, a smart cross into the centre and Ollie W neatly finishing. In the lead at half time.
With Ollie R, George W and George D rotating as our defenders the opposition were getting little joy in the last third, especially with the great tracking back by James and Christian to cut off the attacks, with both carrying the ball forward with great affect after winning the ball back on a number of occasions.
The 2nd half was more of a battle probably due to the condition of the pitch, with Freddie coming out of a relatively quiet first half in goal to cover most the pitch in the second determined to win the ball and start more Stingrays attacks. With all our boys continuing to battle until the final whistle, determined to earn the victory they deserved, there were no further goals and so it finished with a win for the Stingrays.
MotM to George D for another solid defensive display and for the great team attitude he showed in the recent game against Rhodes, playing through the pain of an injured knee as he did not want to let his team mates down - a real team player.
Well played all - very proud of the performance today which was a mix of great passing football, great finishing for all three goals but also working hard and battling when required by all the boys. Thanks Kevin for another great performance as referee and thanks to all who helped to set up and put away the pitch.