Sunday 19th Sept vs Elloughton Stirlings

It proved to be an early start for some of us - Harry was in his full kit (including shin pads) at 7am - & I imagine all the other boys were just as keen to get started! Unfortunately for Joshua C he'd been ill all night & couldn't make it & so everyone was going to have to play even longer than planned. (We all hope you're fit for next Sunday Joshua.)


Although it was a rainy morning itdidn't dampen anybody's enthusiasm as we travelled the short distance to Elloughton's ground at Brough. It was great to see a good crowd of supporters to cheer the boys on.


After a warm-up we were ready to kick-off in match 1. This was the first time we'd played a match as a team (we'd added some new players & lost one or two since the June tournament) & both the pitch & the goals looked ENORMOUS! And ten minutes each way over two matches proved to be a real test of fitness.

Match 1

At kick-off everyone was keen to get a touch of the ball & the subs couldn't wait to have a chance to show their skills. After a very evenly matched first half (including some great saves from Benson, terrific tackling & mazy dribbling from our outfield players) we found ourselves 3-0 down following some really good goals from the opposition. Undaunted, we fought back to 3-1 & eventually 4-2 after a couple of great goals from Ben, well supported by his team-mates.

Match 2
Having settled into our play & buoyed on by some great support by our crowd (plus Adele's half-time oranges) , everyone was determined to do even better in match 2, refereed by John. Even after conceding a goal early in the first half, we continued to play well & were rewarded by an equaliser from Harry. Elloughton came back to take the lead again 2-1, but despite feeling wet & tired, the boys dug in & scored again through Ben.

Playing our best football of the match , we pushed on & were very unlucky not to win. We had several shots just wide & there were a string of great saves by their goalie. A couple more minutes & I'm sure we would have won - but 2-2 was a great result against a strong team.

Every player did themselves proud & it was great to see a crowd of smiling faces at the end, who were cheered all the way by our fantastic supporters.

I also just wanted to say "thanks" to Lawrence (the Elloughton coach) & his team & supporters for a great start to our footballing journey. We were made very welcome & he's got the makings of a great team. (He mentioned to me afterwards that two of their players are soon to have trials with Hull City so we feel chuffed to have competed so well against such good opposition.) We'd love to play them again in the future.
What a fantastic first outing & we all can't wait until next Sunday for our first home match - against Swanland.