It was 1 hour 15 to get to our destination which was Leek Town Football Club. A fantastic venue to play a football match but the trip had taken its toll on the players legs.
After being forced to complete a 5 min warm up before the game began, we found it hard within the first 15 mins. Stoke were pushing us further back and scored from a resulting corner. Within 5 mins we conceded another, 2-0 down.
It was becoming evident that our midfield 2 were struggling against their extra man in midfield but before we could change they scored a third, 3-0 down after 25mins.
We now faced an up hill battle, did the players have the belief and the determination to succeed?
We changed from a 1-4-4-2 to a 1-4-5-1 out of possession but in transition would change to a 1-4-3-3, playing quickly when attacking. It was this tactic that helped when we won the ball back, P. Nsoah dribbled inside from the right, he looked to switch the ball which found K. Perry making a run through, with precision he struck the ball into the bottom corner, 3-1!
Half time 1-3
We spoke at half time the importance of doing our correct jobs and staying with players when defending. The team did just that and looked much better when not in possession.
When on the attack F. Williams got fouled due to his fantastic quick feet. K. Perry took the resulting free kick, struck with curling venom he hit the bar! A.Jones followed this in and put the ball into the back of the net!! 3-2! Was the come back on?
After pushing Stoke back we won another corner. Miss Knight organised from the side as Mondays practice focused on 3 attacking corners. The team set up in a line on the edge of the area, K.Perry took an in swinging corner, M. Oginni rose like Cristiano Ronaldo playing for Junventus, and provided a bullet header into the back of the net!!! 3-3!
Just when we fought we could get a winner we didn’t clear the ball and they scored, 4-3 down.
With 15 minutes left we changed formation and played 3 at the back, we now had the bit between our teeth.
On the attack we won another free kick, K.Perry stepped up and slammed it against the bar, K. Ampofu, now playing wide midfield, scored from the rebound! 4-4!
With 5 minutes left we were pressing for the winner, M. Oginni went down with cramp and had to come off. Whilst walking round the pitch with him, Miss Knight orchestrated another attacking corner. It got half cleared, F. Williams got on the ball on the edge of the box, cut inside and stuck it hard low into the corner with his right foot! The crowd went wild! 5-4!!
With 5 mins left, we dropped back into a back 4, K. Perry playing left back and then centre half, we cleared all balls deep into the oppositions half. We stayed compact and were determined to see the game through. A great team performance.
Full time – 5-4!
Just like Man Utd Vs Liverpool, we believed in ourselves and took our chances, what a win!!
Everybody played brilliantly but in particular we had stand out performances from A. Kielczewski, J.Opoku, M. Oginni.
However, K. Perry with 1 goal and 3 assists gets this weeks MVP.
Goals
K.Perry – 1
M. Kaba – 1
A.Jones – 1
K.Ampofu – 1
F.Williams – 1
