Saturday 31st August KO 10AM at Syresham Sports And Social Club

The game was played on the bigger pitch also used by the First Team on a cloudy and dry Saturday morning.

Kick off 10.00
It was a fairly promising start from Halse U14s as they used the large pitch to their advantage from the get go by getting together a string of passes and maintaining possession in the space they were given which eventually led to multiple chances which went just wide and also a chance on target in which the opposition keeper collected.

Goal: Halse United U14s 1 - 0 Mk United U14s
The deadlock was finally broken when Mcdonald received the ball inside the box who found Ward in space and poked it into the bottom right hand corner of the net to give the home side a deserved lead in the 6th minute.

Goal: Halse United U14s 2 - 0 Mk United U14s
After the restart, Halse United U14s managed to limit the opposition by winning the midfield battles and also the defensive backline holding strong. After maintaining possession, the home side doubled the lead with the same combination as the first with Mcdonald once again locating Ward who found the net for a second time in the 13th minute.

Goal: Halse United U14s 2 - 1 Mk United U14s
Early changes were due while in front where attacking duo Lovelock and Monk came on in place of the Halse United U14s striker with a brace Ward and the full back Parker who kept the right winger at bay magnificently. After once again holding strong in the defensive backline which included some brilliant saves from the debutant goalkeeper Baillie, the away team managed to get a goal back to half the deficit 10 minutes until half time.

Half Time: Halse United U14s 2 - 1 Mk United U14s
Despite getting the goal, a follow up wasn't granted for the away side as their momentum was quickly shut out by the defence and midfield of Halse United U14s. The referee blowed the whistle to indicate the end of the first half with the home side winning 2 - 1 in this tricky encounter.

Start of Second Half: Halse United U14s 2 - 1 Mk United U14s
A half time change was in order with versatile Elmer who featured as a left midfield and a left back coming off with Parker coming back on to once again cause issues for the right forward of Mk United U14s. The game was relatively quiet with the reason may be due to the drastic change of pitch size compared to last season which has already benefitted the home side. The game featured more ball control and passes around the midfield and wing positions for Halse United U14s. The opposition sometimes gained possession but was once again kept away by the defence and the new goalkeeper Baillie once again collected the ball comfortably when corners were in his direction.

Subs: Halse United U14s 2 - 1 Mk United U14s
Three subs were made around the 55th and 60th minute for Halse United U14s. John who played as a good partner throughout the game for the rotating left striker came off for the player who scored both of the home sides goals which is Ward. Another change followed with Elmer replacing Monk who was problematic in the left striker position due to his outstanding engine keeping the right hand side of Mk United U14s on their toes. 5 minutes later another sub occurred with Monk coming back on for Lovelock who fought superbly on the left hand side by tracking back and helping the defence and midfield while also creating numerous chances with his through balls.

Goal: Halse United U14s 3 - 1 Mk United U14s
Finally, Halse United U14s gained our two goal cushion back due to brilliant passing from the midfield with Jenkins threading the ball to the assister of the two goals Mcdonald who lobbed the keeper emphatically to give the hosts a rewarding goal which looked to settle matters and nerves eight minutes before full time.

Goal: Halse United U14s 3 - 2 Mk United U14s
The away side looked to eat away Halse United U14s lead and had an opportunity from 12 yards after a pull in the box resulted in a penalty with a minute to go. The Mk United U14s player took an unstoppable penalty which rifled the ball centrally into the roof of the net to give the opposition a glimmer of hope with time ticking away.

Save: Halse United U14s 3 - 2 Mk United U14s
The away side looked to add to their goal tally and had a chance from inside the box to potentially deny Halse United U14s their first win of the season but Baillie rewarded his amazing debut with a firm hand tipping the ball over the bar in the last kick of the game.

Full Time: Halse United U14s 3 - 2 Mk United U14s
And that was that! A deserved result from Halse United U14s in a difficult game with star performers everywhere on the pitch where everyone had a moment and a reason to cap a brilliant team display. A good debut from the new centre back Snelgrove who controlled the central part of the pitch along with winning every aerial battle. A promising centre back partnership with Mitchell is most certainly something to look forward to throughout the season while Ayres who played the full 70 showed everyone his trickery and his creative attributes on the wing and even showed his versatility in central defensive midfield. A very hard decision of Player Of The Match today but it has to be given to Halse United U14s goalkeeper Teddy Baillie because he commanded his area brilliantly while making some exceptional saves including the last second one.

Whats Up Next?
Halse United U14s will travel to Milton Keynes to play Milton Keynes Wanderers Hawks U14s to kick start the season in the MKDDL on the Saturday 7th September.

Goals: Luis Ward x 2, George Mcdonald
Assists: George Mcdonald x 2, Naomi Jenkins
Player Of The Match: Teddy Baillie