Saturday 25th January KO 10:30AM at Olney Recreation Ground

It has been three months since Halse United U14s last played away from home and on an opposition's turf. This game was played on a bobbly surface due to recent weather and the pitch being played on just beforehand.

Kick Off 10:30
And we're underway! Another important game against the team just above the black and white with 3 points up for grabs and needed. Both sides currently sit in the relegation zone and a game in which hard work is key to winning is required more than ever. The challenge of a bobbly pitch is difficult for both sides especially after already being worn and torn after the previous game. Similar to last game, the first 5 minutes included getting a feel of the ball and testing the surface through passing. Halse United U14s had the majority of possession, slipped through into the final third on numerous occasions down both flanks and had the first shot of the match after some quick and steady footwork from Mcdonald followed with an effort that went over the bar. The black and white started strong and on the front foot against a side who were struggling to get a hold on into the game in the opening minutes.

Goal: Olney Town Colts U14 Orcas 1 - 0 Halse United U14s
The opposition take the lead against the flow of momentum after a defence splitting pass down the right is found after a well timed run beating the offside trap and despite the pressure of the defenders and goalkeeper, the forward opens his body up and places it into the bottom right hand corner to open the scoring. The visitors can get back into this one if the momentum from the first 10 is carried on from the restart.

Goal: Olney Town Colts U14 Orcas 2 - 0 Halse United U14s
The lead doubled after a ball through the same place as the first is once again met with the chasing forward, who is behind the defensive line, and after releasing the ball to his team mate alongside him, the player controlled the ball close to him and after many touches in the box, unleashed a shot into the far left corner to settle the home sides nerves. It was a close run with the defence seemingly waiting for an offside call that wouldn't come. Still to play for with more than halfway of the first half still yet to play.

Free Kick: Olney Town Colts U14 Orcas 2 - 0 Halse United U14s
With 22 minutes on the clock, the black and white had a free kick in a good position just outside of the box after Cafe won a foul after dancing through on the right hand side and was brought down with a tactical foul after he was advancing into a good position. Elmer was over the free kick as this was his type of position for this set piece. Despite being close to the goal, Elmer still has a lot of work to do with the ball having to go over the close wall and dip just in time to at least have a chance. He perfected this in his execution with the ball sailing over the wall with the effort troubling the keeper who had to make a diving save but he just about managed to handle the ball and keep it from going over the line. A really good free kick from Elmer and is the closest Halse United U14s have come so far!

Shot: Olney Town Colts U14 Orcas 2 - 0 Halse United U14s
The visitors carried on the pressure and not making it easy for Olney Town Colts U14 Orcas. Almost immediately after the previous chance, the midfield line intercepts a long ball and threads a ball into Mcdonald who brings the ball down and fires a shot into the goalkeeper. Two close opportunities in quick succession with the home side unable to get out their own half!

Save: Olney Town Colts U14 Orcas 2 - 0 Halse United U14s
Defensive excellence from both Baillie and Mitchell as the opposition work their way up the pitch through all three sections and make an effort of their own. The home side manage to get into the Halse United U14s box and the powerful shot is met with an even more powerful and firm save from keeper, Baillie and the rebound was bouncing towards the left and Mitchell, who plays in the right back position for this fixture produces a brave and well executed slide tackle to force it out behind before the left winger got to it. Brilliant from the defensive duo with them both being the reason nothing more came of the situation.

Sub: Olney Town Colts U14 Orcas 2 - 0 Halse United U14s
With 5 left of the half, midfielder Stokes is unable to continue and will have to be replaced. John comes on in his place with his energy certainly going to be impactful in the centre of midfield.

Goal: Olney Town Colts U14 Orcas 3 - 0 Halse United U14s
With seconds left to play, Olney Town Colts U14 Orcas number 9, uses his strength and pressure to win the ball in the central defensive position, runs through on goal one versus one against the keeper, keeps his cool and slots it in to give the opposition a comfortable lead before half time. There is a shout for a foul on Masson which some referees may deem to be one but unfortunately the decision of the goal stands.

Half Time: Olney Town Colts U14 Orcas 3 - 0 Halse United U14s
And just after the third, the whistle goes and Halse United U14s will have a lot to think about in this stoppage. The task was always going to be difficult but the third goal really does make a positive result look more difficult to obtain. However Halse United U14s have had some glimmer of opportunities and have had a good run of momentum. The only issue is the home side have converted 3 out of the 4 possible chances they have had while the away side haven't yet opened the account. The game is not over at all and another 35 left to play.

Start of Second Half: Olney Town Colts U14 Orcas 3 - 0 Halse United U14s
Both teams come out for another half of football. As usual, there will be some half time changes for the black and white with Elmer and Lovelock, who have worked hard after having a lot to do in both an attacking and defensive sense down the left hand side of the pitch. Monk and Parker will be fulfilling their positions.

GOAL: Olney Town Colts U14 Orcas 3 - 1 Halse United U14s
And that's one back! After a powerful shot from the left hand side of the goal from substitute, Monk hit the bar, the ball wasn't cleared and after many bodies in the box attempting to get the ball away from goal or to get a shot away, Mcdonald managed to get something on the ball and the keeper was unable to keep it out and Halse United U14s have a way back into this game with 30 minutes left to go. That's the midfielder's 2nd goal contribution of the year so far!

Subs: Olney Town Colts U14 Orcas 3 - 1 Halse United U14s
It is unfortunately another forced change here for the visitors after Monk is on the receiving end of a late challenge by a defender and will be replaced by Lovelock for the time being. 10 minutes later, Monk is luckily okay and able to continue for the rest of the game and comes on for the forward who came into his left midfield position.

GOAL: Olney Town Colts U14 Orcas 3 - 2 Halse United U14s
And there's another one! A lot of hard fought battles down the left hand side of the box from Monk and the supporting Ward are able to put the ball in the mixer with the opposition unable to get the ball out of the danger zone and as soon as Cafe gets on to the ball in the far post there really is only one outcome. The forward smashes the bouncing ball with the connection pure and true into the roof of the net. I am surprised the net is still on and there is 15 minutes to go to get the leveller with the intensity favouring Halse United U14s.

Goal: Olney Town Colts U14 Orcas 4 - 2 Halse United U14s
Against the run of play, Olney Town Colts U14 Orcas get an important goal with 8 minutes to go and once again double their lead. A long ball into the box is alive and the opposing player flicks the ball, with his heel, over the defender and goalkeeper and nestles into the bottom right hand corner. An unexpected goal and in the most unlucky circumstances after all the effort Halse United U14s have done going forward.

Goal: Olney Town Colts U14 Orcas 5 - 2 Halse United U14s
A sad end to the game as the opposition finished it off with 5 minutes to go after a cross from the right was met with a powerful and unstoppable half volley strike which found its way in the roof of the net similar to Cafe's finish.

Full Time: Olney Town Colts U14 Orcas 5 - 2 Halse United U14s
And that was that! A game in which the score line definitely flatters the opposition due to the fact that the black and white had an equal amount of opportunities with Olney Town Colts U14 Orcas. However, the hosts were clinical in their chances and finished off the majority of them emphatically. Some positives of the game is that creating chances didn't seem to be a problem and the amount of possession was controlled well with Halse United U14s clearly having more of it than the opposition. The fight back after being 3 - 0 down is also something to praise as that score line is always deemed to be game over but it most certainly wasn't. The home side were clearly nervous after the goals from Mcdonald and Cafe and were shaky in passes and control over the ball since the start of the second half but unfortunately the out of the blue fourth goal affected the momentum of Halse United U14s and nothing could be done about it. There are many things to mention about with one of them being tracking back and giving support to others as it was clear that some players were forced into danger zones and could only hold onto it and were unable to release the ball due to the press of the opposition. The next training sessions are going to be more important for weeks to come and hard work and the ability to listen is bigger than ever. A hurdle that can be jumped over and a fixture to skip over. Unlucky everyone, rest up well for the next game and see you Tuesday!

Player Of The Match?
After his hard work at right back and shutting out his right flank making sure nothing got past him by taking control in high pressure situations, the POTM of this game has been awarded to Austin Mitchell. A brilliant job filling in for the role as recently he has featured in more central positions with his decision making and communication to the centre-backs key to the lack of opportunities down the right hand side. Well done Austin!

What's Up Next?
Halse United U14s return back home to Syresham and will be playing against a side who are not in the best run of form in Aspley Guise U14 Panthers. The first game of February will commence on Saturday 1st.

Goals: George Mcdonald, Louis Cafe
Player Of The Match: Austin Mitchell