MATCH REPORT - SELKENT LEAGUE 13-14 (Spring): JR Spartans vs Teviot White 12th Jan 14
Our first game of the Spring season and our entry into the Selkent C league (North) saw us face Teviot White at home. After an initial issue with a frozen pitch and me thinking it was a 12pm kick off, I finally got the team ready for a 11.30am kick off.
The starting line up was - Jake (GK), George, Finlay (cpt), Taran, Jack, Lovell and Ben. From the kick off the boys looked really confident on the ball and were not daunted by playing in a higher league after our promotion. Although Teviot had the advantage of the slope of the pitch they rarely tested Jake and when they did he smothered the ball and gained control of the game. Jake was aided by George and Finlay in defence, with both boys showing real composure on the ball particularly when we played the ball from the back from goal kicks. This extended into the midfield too as we passed the ball from the back into Lovell, Taran and Jack. I can’t recall us as a team putting so may passes together it was a real joy to watch. Ben was our lone striker and with Lovell and Jack there was great running and dribbling by all three boys. We continued to have wave after wave of attacks on the Teviot goal, only to be prevented by some great saves by our opponent’s keeper. With approximately 10 minutes of the half gone we broke the deadlock with an attack down the right involving Ben and Jack. Jack passed the ball across the penalty area to Lovell who slotted the ball home for our first goal of 2014. The boys retained their focus and within another 5 minutes we were leading by two goals. Lovell gathered the ball in midfield and carried out one of his storming runs down the left. Lovell drilled the ball into the 6 yard box (although its not 6 yards at this level) straight into the path of Ben to side foot the ball home from close range. With the boys in full command of the game and Teviot’s heads dropping we continued to dictate the game right up to the half time whistle.
Half Time Score : JR Spartans - 2, Teviot White - 0
At half time the boys were told how brilliant they were playing and that we needed to maintain the passing and concentration at all times. The second half started, with some changes. Shemar was swapped with George, Alfie came on for Jack, Lovell was replaced for Kaci and William came on for Ben. Given the number of changes the boys worked really hard and retained the momentum that we had in the first half. Shemar and Finlay maintained an impenetrable defensive pairing with Jake in goal looking for another clean sheet. Taran worked tirelessly in the middle of the pitch closing down Teviot and putting in some great tackles and headers to break up any threat of an attack. Taran also pushed forward to support Kaci, Alfie and William and had several shots on goal. With 18 minutes of the second half played, Taran picked up the ball in our own half and dribbled the ball straight through the middle of the park and produced a cool finish by slotting the ball home low into the bottom right hand corner of the Teviot goal (great solo goal Taran). Alfie, Kaci and William didn’t stop running either. All of them having chances on goal. Kaci had two separate brilliant chances, one from a corner which fell to him on the edge of the box and his sweet shot smashed against the crossbar. The second was a shot just inside the area which cracked against the post (so unlucky Kaci, two fantastic strikes). With the second half drawing to a close, Finlay went on one of his characteristic searching runs down the left. He cut inside the defender and from outside the box he struck a powerful shot at the Teviot goal and his shot bounced over an outstretched Teviot keeper for our fourth and final goal of the game.
Full Time Score : JR Spartans - 4, Teviot White - 0
Managers comment: What an absolutely fantastic start to our adventure in the Selkent C league. Everyone today played with confidence from Jake in goal through the defenders, midfielders and strikers. I can’t tell you boys, how good that game was to watch. The passing and flowing football was terrific. I’m really proud of everyone of you. Keep playing like that and we have nothing to fear in this division. That means we are unbeaten at our new home ground (7 games) and another clean sheet (4 games). Two records to also be very proud of.
Although very early in the season tonight we are top of the table.
A big thank you also goes to William for refereeing todays game.
Come On You Spartans COYS.
Captain: Finlay
Man of the Match: Taran