Saturday 16th November KO 10AM at Syresham Sports And Social Club

Our first game since the October break was played with mild temperatures with a bobbly surface.

Kick Off 10:00

This fixture was set to be exciting with the black and white seeking revenge after defeat in the reverse fixture and the opposition look to claw back the lead at the top of the table. Both sides need a result in this one! As usual, the start of the game was like chess, both sides trying to force errors and gain control with aerial battles and interceptions from both teams. In the first 5 minutes, much of the ball was in the centre of the pitch with the final thirds yet to be used from Halse United U14s and MK Royals U14 Yellows.

Shot: Halse United U14s 0 - 0 MK Royals U14 Yellows
The first shot of the game came for the visitors when the attacker received the ball with a touch taking the ball away from the defender. After turning, the player got a shot away at goal with the effort rolling off target. The black and white keeper, John, untroubled.

Goal: Halse United U14s 0 - 1 MK Royals U14 Yellows
With 10 minutes gone, the visitors draw first blood after a second attempt of a through ball is threaded through the centre of the defence. After running towards the ball, the charging keeper applied pressure but the attacker got to the ball first with the touch taking it past John and striking into an empty net to open the scoring. The hosts are still yet to score the opener this season.

Shots: Halse United U14s 0 - 1 MK Royals U14 Yellows
The black and white look to reply after the first goal with some good build up play from Cafe and Monk down the left hand side. The ball fell to the Halse United U14s top scorer so far this season, Mcdonald, with shot falling into the keepers gloves. 5 minutes after the opportunity, MK Royals U14 Yellows had another chance of their own with a curling finesse shot met with fingertips from John to force out for a corner which amounted to nothing. A brilliant save from the attacker who opted to take up the role for this fixture!

Goal: Halse United U14s 0 - 2 MK Royals U14 Yellows
The hosts reality is hit with a big blow with 15 minutes left after the oppositions winger gets past two players on the right flank and strafe dribbled into the box with a composed finish going past the keeper. That goal means a big job and a response needed from Halse United U14s.

GOAL: Halse United U14s 1 - 2 MK Royals U14 Yellows
And there is the response from the black and white! In the 22nd minute, the home side was awarded a free kick in a position for a long ball. The ball soared through the air and after many attempts of the defence clearing the ball, a header from Ayres bounced off the defender with the ball landing perfectly to Ward who stroke home. A big goal and the game very much alive along with momentum and hope. Brilliant to have him back for selection and he is firing already!

Sub: Halse United U14s 1 - 2 MK Royals U14 Yellows
The hosts are unfortunately forced for a change after a nasty collision involving Stokes means the brilliant versatile player has to make way. His replacement is Mitchell who is definitely fit to fill in the position in midfield.

Defending: Halse United U14s 1 - 2 MK Royals U14 Yellows
Defensive excellence from Halse United U14s involving Jenkins and John after an opposition player was found 1v1 with the keeper but some inspiring tracking back from Jenkins blocked the effort with the ball going into the possession of the keeper after his communication. The words of John really was key in the decision making of the defence.

Half Time: Halse United U14s 1 - 2 MK Royals U14 Yellows
The referee blows the whistle and that is the end of the first 35 minutes of the game. The advantage is just one goal after Wards goal ate away at the visitors lead in the 22nd minute. A much needed drinks break is needed after every player in black and white (and blue) working ever so hard to get back on level terms. Another half to play against a stressful and nervous side.

Start of Second Half: Halse United U14s 1 - 2 MK Royals U14 Yellows
Both teams come back into the fray with a triple change in order for the hosts. After giving their all, Monk, Ayres and Snelgrove come off with the fresh legs of Lovelock, Elmer and Parker come in to inspire a potential comeback.

Free Kick: Halse United U14s 1 - 2 MK Royals U14 Yellows
With 5 minutes after the restart, the tricky Lovelock wins a foul on the outside of the box on the right hand side. Elmer chooses to take the opportunity, stands over the ball, runs up to it and goes just over but had the right idea of going for goal. First chance of the half goes to the black and white.

Yellows: Halse United U14s 1 - 2 MK Royals U14 Yellows
In the 48th minute, tempers flare for the opposition after a nasty challenge from the full back against Lovelock is deemed to warrant a rightful booking. The opposition manager was certainly not happy with the decision as he goes across the home technical area, shouts at the spectators asking him to calm down and also has some angered words for the referee. After a talking to, the manager is then also booked following his antics and made to go back to his technical area. Nerves?

Subs: Halse United U14s 1 - 2 MK Royals U14 Yellows
After the cautions, Lovelock is unfortunately forced over due to him being in some discomfort and is replaced with the assister of the first goal Ayres. Another change will occur with last seasons Coaches Player Of The Season Greasby coming off. Monk comes back onto the pitch to fulfil his position.

Sub: Halse United U14s 1 - 2 MK Royals U14 Yellows
With 10 minutes to go, the Halse United U14s look to the bench for one last substitution! The usual defender, Snelgrove is coming on for Monk but has a different role. Due to him having the ability of striking the ball well, he will be playing striker alongside Ward! A big and vital 10 minutes left.

GOAL: Halse United U14s 2 - 2 MK Royals U14 Yellows
WHAT A SHOT! WHAT A GOAL! SNELGROVE EQUALISERS FOR THE BLACK AND WHTE! It really is a brilliant goal, the defender (or striker) gets the ball, turns in onto his right foot, and a powerful shot goes past the keeper into the bottom left hand corner! A big goal but the game is most certainly not over with another goal left in this one. Can we claim our first point of the season? 8 minutes left of the game!

GOALLLLLLLLLL: Halse United U14s 3 - 2 MK Royals U14 Yellows
WARDDDDDDDDDD! HAS HE DONE WON IT? ABSOLUTE SCENES! The touchline, bench and Wards' team mates are going mental and applaud him for his goal! The goal came after Snelgrove threaded a ball to the striker and after some close control to confuse the defender latched a shot into the bottom left corner of the goal and underneath the keeper. Despite the potential winner, the game is not over and Halse United U14s need to defend! We're in stoppage time now! Can we hold on?

Goal: Halse United U14s 3 - 3 MK Royals U14 Yellows
Heartbreak for the hosts as MK Royals U14 Yellows have found an equaliser in the last kick of the game. After many clearances from inside the box, the ball is crossed into the box with the attacker getting to the ball first before the goalkeeper and slotted into the back of the net to get his hat trick. Gutting!

Full Time: Halse United U14s 3 - 3 MK Royals U14 Yellows
And that was that! Halse United U14s claim their first point of the season but is overshadowed with what could have been. It is a shame about the late goal but football can be a harsh and cruel game with a valuable lesson to be learnt. Nothing less should be thought about as the point will most certainly be of significant value come the end of the season. Everyone fought hard and well with the game never looking done and dusted despite being 2 goals down. A brilliant comeback to get it back from 3 - 2 after some clever strikes from the goal scorers. I have to point out and praise three players who played in different positions than usual and excelled in them! Those are Oliver Snelgrove as a striker in the last 10, Austin Mitchell in the centre of the park and Tristan John for stepping in and putting on the gloves when required. Also to mention that the opposition are high in quality as they are chasing promotion after being relegated from Division 3 and are currently on 16 points after 9 games. The best TEAM performance this season and us coaches are very proud of the teams efforts! Everyone rest well and congrats on the first point of the season with more to come! On to the next one!

Player Of The Match?
This fixture has been the hardest POTM to decide but it has been awarded to Forward Luis Ward after his sensational display in the final third with his brace being pivotal to the match and even our season. He showed intensity and hunger to win the ball, had good build up play with others and of course used brilliant skill to score twice. Congrats! I believe it is fitting to also include a honourable mention of Oliver Snelgrove after his defensive impact and his two key goal involvements.

What Does The Result Mean In The League Standings For Halse United U14s?
The draw means Halse United U14s are now no longer without a point this season and are now only a win off the relegation zone (9th Place) which is currently occupied by Olney Town Colts U14 Orcas and 10th Place AFC Oakley U14 (Sat) Tsunamis. The black and white have played the same amount of games as AFC Oakley U14 (Sat) Tsunamis with 8 while Olney Town Colts U14 Orcas have a game in hand after playing 7.

What's Up Next?
There may be a potential friendly on the 23rd November but if one can not be sorted out, the next league game will be against top of the table MK Wanderers U14 Hawks at Syresham Sports And Social Club for the last game of the month. That game will be played on Saturday 30th November.

Goals: Luis Ward X 2, Oliver Snelgrove
Assists: Harry Ayres, Oliver Snelgrove
Player Of The Match: Luis Ward