Boys' 2nd XI v Malvern, L3-2

Date:
Saturday 10th October

Venue:
Away, depart 11.40 am

Team:
Hanna-Khalil, Ikin, Mcenery, Murrall(C), Clarke-Dowson, Blackwood, Swann, Chandler, Woodhouse, Samra, Twidle, Chaffey

Result:
Malvern 2-3 Repton

Match Report:
This was a frustrating fixture for many reasons but I am delighted with the resolve and determination shown to secure our second consecutive win away from home. The day hadn't started well when AHMED admitted that he had left his boots at Repton, and so we found ourselves with just one substitute (WOODHOUSE) having borrowed CHAFFEY from the U16 team (thank you Mr Hill!)

There was no doubting that Malvern played their best team today with some very strong and tall boys, many showing excellent skill with the ball at their feet. Indeed four of their boys are attending the Southern ISFA trials on Sunday, and it quickly became apparent that they were a strong and organised side. Having had very little time to warm up, we found ourselves firmly on the back foot for the majority of the first half. Malvern scored first (actually MURRALL put the ball in the net) following confusion at the back between the defenders and HANNA-KHALIL who might have collected the ball sooner. This was disappointing largely because we had defended well up to that point. Somewhat against the run of play we managed to equalise: the energetic and fast-running TWIDLE making an excellent run down the left to collect the ball and pass accurately to the impressive SWANN who guided the ball past their keeper. However, the scores did not stay level for long. After 19 minutes, TWIDLE unfortunately headed the ball backwards where it was collected and crossed to their striker leaving HANNA-KHALIL little chance in goal.

Unfortunately with 10 minutes of the half remaining we lost HANNA-KHALIL to an ankle injury. With no substitute keeper on the bench, IKIN courageously stepped up to the mark and donned the keeper's shirt and the rest of the team had to shuffle around accordingly. CHANDLER dropped back from the right wing to right back, WOODHOUSE came on up front alongside BLACKWOOD, TWIDLE and SWANN alternated on the left and right wings, and SAMRA and CLARKE-DOWSON controlled the middle. We did well to keep the scores to 2-1 down at the half way mark, having been on the back foot and having much less possession than Malvern. Indeed Malvern hit the bar at least once in this half.

I am not sure what was said at half time, but Malvern certainly started the second half more aggressively and the game, perhaps, needed more discipline and control; the referee might have helped more in this regard. Pleasingly, however, we kept our focus well and scored an equaliser with good link-up play between SAMRA and BLACKWOOD, with SAMRA nicely slotting the ball to the keeper's left. Malvern pushed hard and battled hard in tackles. Our back four worked tirelessly and pleasingly we restricted them to largely long-distance shots, although they hit the bar again and we were riding our luck somewhat. Of note, IKIN was faultless in goal showing his experience between the posts before joining Repton and he gathered their shots with confidence. With 15 minutes to go, Repton took the lead. A through ball was met by SWANN who skilfully headed over their advancing keeper and into an empty net. From where I was stood it was disappointing to see their keeper collide with SWANN when he might have avoided the collision. SWANN has now scored at least once in the last 3 games and his performances have been first-rate. The last 15 minutes were very scrappy and don't deserve much comment. Suffice to say their centre forward (who was too good for this game apparently) was lucky not to be sent off permanently following a disgusting verbal outburst at MURRALL.

I would be lying if I said I enjoyed this fixture today. The second-half in particular is one I would like to quickly forget. However, the boys should be commended for their calmness under pressure, their hard work and determination. They worked very hard today, played as a team and battled to secure a very hard fought win; very well done!