Saturday 18th January KO 10AM at Syresham Sports And Social Club

Its been a while and we are finally back for some footballing action! Halse United U14s first game after two whole months was played in cold temperatures and a bobbly surface.

Kick Off 10:00
A big fixture of high importance for both teams as both look to get a good start to the year. As mentioned, the black and white haven't had a fixture in a long time with the last one being a 3-3 draw against MK Royals U14 Yellows where Halse United U14s claimed their first point of the season! Tattenhoe Youth U14 Tigers last game was more recent in a 4-1 defeat to AFC Oakley U14 (Sat) Tsunamis in December. Both teams started the game trying to get a feel on the ball and testing the surface with passes towards the runners and clearances away from their boxes. Both sets of sides are eager to draw first blood.

Goal: Halse United U14s 0 - 1 Tattenhoe Youth U14 Tigers
With 8 minutes gone, it is the visitors who will be celebrating first after a brilliant initial save from Halse United U14s keeper is rebounded in. It really is a good stop in a 1 versus 1 situation but the ball falls to the path of an attacker who calmly puts it in the net. John, who is standing in goal for a second game in a row, couldn't do anything about it and done the best he could.

Sub: Halse United U14s 0 - 1 Tattenhoe Youth U14 Tigers
An unfortunate forced change here for the black and white as defender, Masson is victim to a hard challenge by an opposing player. The hard working player with a strong mindset will be replaced with Mitchell who is definitely a worthy replacement to come in to his usual centre back spot! He enters the fray after 14 minutes.

Subs: Halse United U14s 0 - 1 Tattenhoe Youth U14 Tigers
5 minutes after their last, a double change is due for Halse United U14s. It will be a change in full backs who have dealt well with both sets of wingers on either flank. Elmer and Greasby will be swapped with Parker and Snelgrove.

GOAL: Halse United U14s 1 - 1 Tattenhoe Youth U14 Tigers
THE EQUALISER HAS BEEN COMING! After numerous spells of possession and attempts to break through a compact Tattenhoe Youth U14 Tigers defence, the black and white find a way. The ball is worked into a busy box full with a shot from Lovelock having to be pushed out by the keeper but the loose one is dinked over by Cafe with many defenders on the line unable to keep out the unexpected shot. Nothing more than they deserve and a superb reply after the opener.

Goal: Halse United U14s 1 - 2 Tattenhoe Youth U14 Tigers
5 minutes after the leveler, a powerful free kick from the right is blasted into the top right hand corner with the Halse United U14s keeper unable to keep it out. A shot that many Premier League keepers would find it difficult to keep out due to the power. 3 minutes to go before the end of the first half.

Half Time: Halse United U14s 1 - 2 Tattenhoe Youth U14 Tigers
The referee signifies the end of the first half with all to play for in the next. A one goal margin after 35 and the black and white are more than in this game. A brilliant goal from Cafe who gets the black and whites first goal of the year in a game full of opportunities and exciting spells of possession from the hosts. After a quick drink and instructions, there will be another highly anticipated half of football here at Syresham.

Start of Second Half: Halse United U14s 1 - 2 Tattenhoe Youth U14 Tigers
And were underway for another vital 35 minutes for both sides. Halse United U14s have made a change with assister of the first goal, Lovelock coming off after playing brilliantly on the left and had good spells of link up play with the midfield and forwards. He will be replaced with the tricky and lively Monk on the wing.

Goal: Halse United U14s 1 - 3 Tattenhoe Youth U14 Tigers
Tattenhoe Youth U14 Tigers double their advantage a minute after the second half kicked off. The forward dribbled past many black and white shirts and shoots past the keeper to give the opposition a perfect start and a cushion. It most certainly wasn't the start Halse United U14s wanted.

GOAL: Halse United U14s 2 - 3 Tattenhoe Youth U14 Tigers
WARD GETS ONE BACK! 10 minutes after the oppositions perfect start, that cushion has been chucked behind the sofa. After some brilliant build up play from sector to sector, Mcdonald lays off a pass towards Ward who controls, gets it on his right, and passes it under the keeper into the bottom right hand corner. A composed finish from the forward who scores his fifth of the season and a much needed goal for the black and white. This game is nowhere near over and finished.

Goal: Halse United U14s 2 - 4 Tattenhoe Youth U14 Tigers
The opposition really want their two goal lead and retain it after the Tattenhoe Youth U14 Tigers attacker gets in behind and rolls it into the bottom right hand corner. A goal which is unexpected after Halse United U14s carried their momentum after their second goal. Another reply needed for the hosts and a harder task set with 18 to go.

Subs: Halse United U14s 2 - 4 Tattenhoe Youth U14 Tigers
Halse United U14s make a double substitution with 5 minutes in between each. The first half of the changes is Greasby coming back on to the pitch with Parker making way after a good performance. The other half involves Elmer coming on as a left midfielder previously vacated by Monk who has also had a good performance.

GOAL: Halse United U14s 3 - 4 Tattenhoe Youth U14 Tigers
BRILLIANT FINISH FROM AYRES! The black and white get a goal late on as Ward finds Ayres from the left with a well timed cross is met with an emphatic half volley from the right hand side with the keeper obviously unable to keep out such a true shot. Someone was more than happy with that finish as a car honks in celebration! Maybe too late but a deserving goal for the winger which makes it five goal contributions for him since joining the club.

Full Time: Halse United U14s 3 - 4 Tattenhoe Youth U14 Tigers
And that was that! A close game and another high scoring match but Tattenhoe Youth U14 Tigers will be the happier after the result. Despite the loss, it was another good performance from the black and white with the most chances created in a match and more goals scored which most certainly weren't gifted but needed to be worked for. Momentum favoured Halse United U14s with signs of defensive excellence from the back four and control to keep possession in the centre of the park. There was also clear quality in the final third which was of course shown by the attackers after numerous chances. There is always something to improve on in football but a good checkpoint for the start of the year. It is also important to note that this was an impressive performance from the black and white after not even sharing a pitch for two months. The incoming win is now more in sight at the moment and if the team keeps working hard in training and are prepared for the next match, it can definitely be achieved very soon! An unlucky result but lots to praise and admire in the performance! Good to be finally back and on to the next one!

Player Of The Match?
After both of his goal contributions from finishing and creating, POTM has been awarded to Luis Ward for the second game in a row! A good performance in a number 9 position and was clinical in the final third as shown with his superb finish despite oncoming pressure and a brilliant assist attackers would dream of receiving. He also included smart link up play with midfielders and wingers in his game and is well deserving of POTM! Well done Luis!

What Does The Result Mean In The League Standings For Halse United U14s?
The result means Tattenhoe Youth U14 Tigers move up a place and out of the relegation zone after gaining 3 points from the black and white. Despite being 9 points above Halse United U14s, they have played 4 more games than both teams underneath them. Halse United U14s are 7 points off Olney Town Colts U14 Orcas with the same games played but face each other next.

What's Up Next?
The next team to face the black and white will be second bottom side Olney Town Colts U14 Orcas. Halse United U14s will make their first away trip of the year to Olney on Saturday 25th January in another important fixture.

Goals: Louis Cafe, Luis Ward, Harry Ayres
Assists: Alfie Lovelock, George Mcdonald, Luis Ward
Player Of The Match: Luis Ward