Wolviston FC 3 - New Marske 4
After the disappointing result against 21st Allstars in the previous game, we were hopeful of getting back on track against Wolviston, a team we normally perform well against. Prior to the kick off there was some rain and wind about, although the rain stopped as the game got under way.
From the first whistle we were straight on the attack, when Conor picked the ball up on the right. His ball in rolled enticingly across the box where Joe lunged in at the back post narrowly missing the ball. The next good chance fell to Wolviston when a long ball over the top was narrowly missed by Andy, allowing the Wolviston attacker a chance on goal. Unfortunately for him, he hit it past the post.
As seems common these days, the game started off very even, with both sides trying to get the upper hand. A great take by Matty, saw him bend the ball out to Liam with the outside of his boot, but Liam couldn't make the most of the chance. It wasn't long before we did get on top, when on 15 minutes Liam hit a lovely ball forward for Frank, who took it around the keeper to make the score 0-1 to New Marske.
Wolviston were straight back on the attack, coming close with a couple of chances, and it was obvious that they were much improved on last year, causing a problem with their big powerful attackers. There was a break in play for a few minutes while Joe received treatment for a cut on his leg, and when play resumed we broke up the Wolviston attack, breaking away ourselves.
A sloppy ball by Greg saw Wolviston break away, pushing the ball past Andy for what looked like a clear chance at goal, until Jack came across to clear the ball with a great challenge. The game was swinging both ways, but luckily for us on 28 minutes we went 0-2 in the lead, when Matty played a great ball to Frank, who lobbed the keeper.
Wolviston came straight back, having a shot from outside the box that Dean handled comfortably. Although Wolviston were looking dangerous we were doing a good job of limiting them to shots from outside the box. We came very close again when a break on the right saw the ball played across to Liam on the left who saw his shot hit the bar. Although he came close, we went closer again on 31 minutes, when after knocking the ball around brilliantly, a lovely ball in by David found the head of Joe, who deflected the ball into the corner of the net. 0-3 to New Marske.
We were playing some fantastic football now, and the signs were that we would go on to stretch our lead. Wolviston however came back once more and were awarded an indirect free kick after Liam had shouted 'leave it' as the ball was cleared. The referee awarded the free kick just out side the box. we managed to defend the initial shot, but the ball was played in and fell to the foot of a Wolviston player who pulled a goal back. 1-3. Things got worse shortly after when from an attack on the right, Jack looked to have the player on the ball under control, until he did a turn and drove into the box. With nobody coming across to attempt to block the run, he had a free shot at goal, which he took to make the score 2-3 to New Marske.
From a position of comfort we suddenly found ourselves back in a close game, and we managed to come close with a couple of chances before the whistle blew for half time.
Half-time: Wolviston FC 2 - New Marske 3
There were no changes at half time, and the first break through came from a corner to us, where Jack ghosted in at the back post, but didn't quite go in with enough conviction to fashion a goalscoring chance. A long clearance by Jack sent Conor away, but he couldn't get his head to the ball before the keeper claimed the ball.
Wolviston broke through and played a great ball into the box, that looked like a tap in, until Greg appeared to make a great clearance over his own bar. The next goal was looking crucial as both teams where pushing on to try and get the advantage. The game was end to end, and a mistake by Ben saw Wolviston race clear until Jack came in with a saving tackle.
We were awarded a free kick on the right, taken by Liam, was poorly hit as it struck the wall. Both sides were fighting to get the next goal in what was still a very close game. We got another free kick in a very similar position to the last one, once more taken by Liam, this time the chance didn't come as we were flagged offside.
Ben who had worked hard in the centre of midfield was replaced by Josh. On 65 minutes the next goal came, and luckily it was for us. Frank picked up a loose clearance and hit a well struck shot first time goal-ward. The keeper must have taken his eye off the ball as it looked to be an easy take, but somehow went past him into the net 2-4 to New Marske.
Any thoughts of Wolviston giving up were put to rest as the were back on the attack straight from the kick off, forcing a brilliant save from Dean. We fashioned a couple of chances but there was nothing clear cut to take advantage of. Wolviston came back, putting us under real pressure as we struggled to clear the ball from around our box.
With five minutes to go, a quick break saw Dean forced into making yet another great save to keep Wolviston at bay. With 3 minutes to go Wolviston pulled a goal back, when a cross in from the right fell to a Wolviston player who buried the ball. 3-4 to New Marske. The game was once more in the balance, and it was our turn to break away, but Josh's final shot was scuffed toward the keeper.
We managed to get the ball under control and started to play the final minutes in the Wolviston half, which was just what we needed, and controlled the ball until the referee blew the whistle to bring the game to an end. Although we got the win we wanted, it was a creditable performance by a much improved Wolviston side, who seem to be improving after after a slow start to the season.
Final Score: Wolviston FC 3 - New Marske 4
MOTM:- : Matthew Watts
Other images from the game...
