Mens 1st vs ECVH 1

The game started well with attacking push from both teams. Mids were quick to identify weak points in the defence and started to apply the pressure leading to some strong pushes. Both teams had close calls in front of goal but neither team being able to find the net. The first goal came with some quick movement from Ed Higgs, he receives the ball just outside the Home D and a quick burst of speed around the top gave him the opportunity to strike the ball, the hit was clean and tucked away with power into the bottom left corner of the goal giving Mids the lead. The rest of the half was a bit rushed with Mids trying to make more attempts before the whistle, strong plays from left back Freddie Rackshaw saw probing pushes up the left side which worried the home team. The 1st half finished 1-0 to Mids.

The half time talk was positive with advice and ideas aplenty.

The second half started strong with a clear change in tactic by the home team, they pushed high and in numbers trying to pressure the Mids defence into an error. The defence stayed strong and in control the high press leading to more space in the midfield and final 25 for Ed Higgs and Harry Dilly to receive the ball and offload control the game for Mids. Unfortunately, the next goal was for the home side, ECVH won a short corner by probing the left side of the D. The ball was pushed to top of D for a straight hit, the ball was going towards the bottom corner defender Dan Durston got his stick to the ball but not fully deflecting the ball into goal.

With the score now 1-1 Mids seemed more determined to re-take the lead pushing hard and with numbers. The attack broke into the D multiple times probing the home defence and finally a foot was found giving Mids another short corner. The routine was set and executed well with captain Chris Young throwing the ball to the back post for an easy touch in by Ben Osmond. This goal was the fire that Mids needed, the tempo was set and Mids ran the game with more strong attacks they forced another error and another short corner. This time Ollie smart wanted the drag… shock! the ball was flung at goal with the keeper looking like he had control however the kick wasn't clean, and the ball hit a defender’s foot and then the backboard. with the score now 3-1 ECVH pushed to get back into the game with runs down the left wing, a few of these attacks saw short corners being award but neither short, troubled goalie Emile (the wall) Ball.

The next attack saw another short corner for Mids another sub-par drag flick however the defences luck had truly run out with the ball coming off the defender’s foot and lopping into goal for Ollie Smarts 2nd goal of the game. With the game coming into the last minutes Mids slowed the game by holding the ball in the midfield and not pushing as hard. With just one minute left a long seeking ball to forward David Osmond saw a one touch pass to the centre where Chris Young was unmarked and alone, he ran towards goal for a 1-1 with the keeper. The keeper came out to meet him, but Chris stuck the ball as soon as he got to the D and the ball fizzed into backboard to finally get rid of his goal drought.

The game finished 5-1 with Mids moving to 2nd in the league with a well-deserved week off next week.

MOTM - Harry Dilly                          DOTD - Ollie Smart

A thank you to Joshua Higgs for capturing the game on a wet Saturday afternoon