Saturday 10th May KO 11:30AM at Brooklands Middle School

Halse United U14s 18th game and penultimate away day of the season was played in hot temperatures and on a hard dry pitch. It was the hottest day that the youthful black and white have played all season long!

Kick Off 11:30
It's been a while but we are back underway with the match reports and more importantly the kick off! This will be a big game against a very difficult side, currently placed in third, who have proved themselves throughout the season after getting promoted from Division 5 the season before. The last time both sides met was 2 games ago in a six goal thriller with Bogdan being involved in all of the goals in the draw. Elmer and Cafe also had goal involvements in the reverse fixture at Syresham Sports and Social Club. Another entertaining game is likely going to happen again with Halse United U14s looking to get a win that will take them above bottom placed side, Tattenhoe Youth U14 Tigers while Leighton Woodside U14 Wanderers look to solidify their place in the top three. As the referee blew the whistle, the away side approached the defensive line to find an opening in the early stages but all threats were dealt with. The black and white continued to pass the ball about to find a break of shape anywhere in the final third and maintained possession well. The shape of both sides were kept well but with the temperature being kept the same, the players will begin to get more tired and could perhaps be found out of position at any stage. 5 minutes gone, no golden opportunities or threats for either side just yet.

Goal: Leighton Woodside U14 Wanderers 1 - 0 Halse United U14s
In the 7th minute, a misjudgement in the backline of the away side is spotted by the Leighton Woodside U14 Wanderers attacker who pounces on the ball to find himself one on one with the goalkeeper. Despite the pressure from Mitchell and John having fingertips on the ball, the shot was too powerful and finds its way into the back of the net to give the home side the opener and a goal of significant importance early on. Nothing to worry about yet for Halse United U14s as there is still an hour left to play in this game.

GOAL: Leighton Woodside U14 Wanderers 1 - 1 Halse United U14s
THERE'S THE RESPONSE, IT'S AN EQUALISER! That certainly changes the tide of this game! Before the goal, the opposition looked to double their lead but was unable to do so due to some brilliant defending and saves from John so this will catch them off guard! It's once again the duo of Mcdonald and Bogdan involved in this one with the midfielder producing a brilliant pass to his teammate who catches onto it, nudges off the defender, takes it round the keeper with no nerves at all, and simply passes it into an empty net! A typical goal from the star striker who has now averaged more than 2 goal contributions per game while the midfield maestro Mcdonald is now level on assists with six. It's a vital goal that changes the complexion of the game with it now level. 10 minutes left to play here.

Half Time: Leighton Woodside U14 Wanderers 1 - 1 Halse United U14s
And the first half has been drawn into a close as the referee blows the whistle. A tight half with both sides trying to get the upper hand before the halfway point but it is level at the break with Leighton Woodside U14 Wanderers and Halse United U14s finding the net once. The black and white’s shape in the defensive line improved as the game went on with most through balls from the opposition being anticipated from the back four of Masson, Mitchell, Stokes and Monk. John has also been playing well with some brilliant distribution from drop kicks and also goal kicks. The Halse United U14s midfield was able to string passes between each other with ease and tried to break through into the final third on multiple occasions with some being successful. The front line looked energetic with plenty of pace to be used for the next 35 minutes which is what they have left remaining. Next half is underway!

Start of Second Half: Leighton Woodside U14 Wanderers 1 - 1 Halse United U14s
As the game kicks off again, there will be two changes for the black and white and will be the only changes of the match. After their hard work and efforts in the difficult positions of right back and midfield, Monk and Elmer respectively will be switched out for the fresh legs of Snelgrove and Lovelock to cause an impact offensively off the bench. There has been a rotation with Ayres playing more centrally for the next 35 with Lovelock coming in to his previous position. Snelgrove makes a straight swap with Monk's position of right back. For the next 30 minutes, there were in fact many opportunities for both sides with Bogdan having some chances in the box while Leighton Woodside U14 Wanderers missed huge chances which only needed a tap-in or a better first time finish as they breached the defensive line of Halse United U14s. The black and white looked to pass round looking for a better sight at goal but were blocked and challenged before a shot on goal went off. In the 65th minute, the away side have a free kick on the halfway line with bodies in the box with Snelgrove taking the set piece...

GOAL: Leighton Woodside U14 Wanderers 1 - 2 Halse United U14s
WHAT AN ASSIST! WHAT A GOAL! THAT WINS IT SURELY! With 5 minutes left, a special pinged pass from Snelgrove fell into the perfect area vacated by Mcdonald to poach home and to spark huge celebrations from the team. It's a brilliant pass that some players would find it difficult to get the correct height, power and position but the defender ticks all the boxes and unleashes a beauty. That's Mcdonald's 8th goal of the season and now Snelgrove has multiple assists for the club on his first campaign. A winning goal at the moment but Halse United U14s will need to hold on as there is still 5 minutes left where Leighton Woodside U14 Wanderers will go all out to salvage a point from this game. Can the black and white hold on for the short duration of this match?

FULL TIME: Leighton Woodside U14 Wanderers 1 - 2 Halse United U14s
YES THEY CAN! GAME OVER AT LEIGHTON BUZZARD! It may have not been the most perfect game but a performance that is rewarded with a victory! That means that Halse United U14s are unbeaten against 3rd placed Leighton Woodside U14 Wanderers for this season after they drew last time out in the six goal game! The possession statistics were similar to the last couple of games where the black and white held onto it and were on the ball significantly more than the opposition and despite the fact they conceded first, the fight and hunger to get back into the game was always there. The opposition had many chances to double their lead, but all it needed was a brilliant pass from Mcdonald to change the game completely and later on, another brilliant goal involving the midfielder from a well delivered set piece by Snelgrove to settle matters against an annoyed opposition. As mentioned before, the defence was always improving with more and more chances being cut out by the backline to limit the amount of shots on goal to make sure that Leighton Woodside U14 Wanderers could only net once. There were some close calls and nerves from the side lines with the chances the hosts did have but all that matters in football is to take the chances you are given and not be complacent. It was clear that one side took their opportunities and didn't show any signs of complacency and that was Halse United U14s. The unbeaten streak is still alive and kicking with the youthful black and white not losing in 3 games with 2 draws and a win after this fixture and are proving to many the level they are at ready for next season whether that will be in a lower division or the one that they are currently in. Well done everyone for this game as everyone worked hard from tracking back, chasing the ball and even forcing the ball out for a throw-in to stop the opposition from advancing any further. This game shows what can happen when effort and energy is used in football matches and when the team show trust in each other, keep composure mentally and just play their game, this team can beat any opposition and cause issues. A big win but the season is not over yet, let's keep this up! Congratulations everyone again on their performances! Onto the next one!

Player Of The Match?
This week's Player Of The Match has been awarded to the player who contributed to both goals with his clever assist in the first half and his poaching finish in the second. Of course it's George Mcdonald who gets the award! His control and composed attitude makes it a nightmare for the opposition especially when he dribbles past them with such ease. A player with great potential, creativity and skills that any club would only dream of having. Well done George for your contributions and efforts for not just this match but the entire season as a whole! Special!

What's Up Next?
Halse United U14s will have their final away trip of the season on Saturday 17th May against 8th placed side AFC Oakley U14 (Sat) Tsunamis. The last time both sides met was 3 weeks ago in a 3-3 draw where Mcdonald and Bogdan were among the goals and assists.

Goals: Alex Bogdan, George Mcdonald
Assists: George Mcdonald, Oliver Snelgrove
Player Of The Match: George Mcdonald

(Apologies For The Late Match Report, The 'Oakley Tsunamis Match Report' Will Be Completed And Released Later Today!!)