The Match Reports for U15A team:

13/12/2009

Bristol Central 6 Stoke Lane 1

Match report:

Sorry for the delay in getting the report out, but I’ve been busy as I went to London to Selfridges (being more precise) as I had an appointment to see Father Christmas and everyone knows the real Santa is the one who takes up residence at Selfridges at this time of year.

I waited in line for my turn, feeling slightly out of my comfort zone, being approximately 40yrs older then my fellow Santa fans! My time came and in I went to see the main man, I perched on his knee, ‘my you’re a big lad, aren’t you a bit old for all this?’ he groaned ‘I am but I’m not here for myself, I am part of Stoke Lane and all I want for Christmas is a point’ I said hopefully. ‘Stoke Lane you say, under 15 A team is it?’ ‘That’s right! Can you help?’ He sighed ‘Sonny, I may be able to make enough toy’s for all the children and manage to distribute them to every household on the planet in one evening, but be reasonable, there are limits to the miracles I can perform, why don’t you have a bike like everyone else??’

After 5 weeks off, it was a welcome return to playing, but last Sunday was yet another lesson in finishing, above anything else, in general play we look well within our comfort zone, but when it comes to the final third we lack a cutting edge and that means we never get ourselves into a leading position and are always vulnerable.

The first half Central scored the first, against the run of play, after 20 minutes, a through ball and their pacey striker out stripped the defence and squared the ball for a tap-in. They added two more in similar circumstances before half time, the third being the last kick of the half.

In the second half we dropped MoM Jimmy D into the back four and all but eliminated the first half threat of the counter attack, but resourceful Central promptly banged in three goals from 25 yds! Fix one problem and another presents itself! All three were terrific finishes, it has to be said. However had Chopper the Stopper been available, I don’t think these opportunities would have been presented to Central.

At 4-0 we did manage to conjure a little magic from a free kick on the edge of the box. Jakey, making a very welcome return , crossed the ball to for another very welcome returnee Tom to head the ball home from 6 yds. I drone on about it every week, but it was a decent performance and if we resolve our goal-scoring issues, surely, our day will come.

Watch out Bromley, big freeze permitting, our revival starts Sunday.

Keep the faith lads, no question we have the ability, we just need to turn things around, get a bit of belief, but above all just try to enjoy it and have fun.

I’m now resigned to the fact that we probably will not win the league!

Goal summary:

56 min - Tom Bartley (7/10)
A well delivered cross from Jake Gillard was converted by Tom Bartley. A fine finish with the head from close range.