|
Date |
Sunday 29th January 2012 |
|
Match |
Stevenage Borough Stars v Royston Town Youth Colts |
|
Competition |
Royston Crow Youth Football League U11 Division 9v9 |
|
Result |
Won 1-3 |
|
Royston Scorers |
Jack D, Chris 2 |
|
Man of Match |
Jack W |
On a full size pitch with intermediate goal Diamonds arrived to find a heavy pitch on a foggy damp afternoon for a 1.30 kick off.
Diamonds were the underdogs playing a side now a league above them after the league split.
On the second game of the season in the league Stars had come out victors to win comfortably 5-0 but the score had flattered them as they scored three late goals when Diamonds heads had dropped.
Perhaps Stars had come to this match expecting to brush Diamonds aside but they were to be shocked.
Diamonds hit the ground running and were strong in all areas. Lewis (sweeper) had the first strike from way outside the area with stars keeper back peddling the ball just dropped over the bar.
Chris Fage playing RM for the 1st time blasted another over the bar as he stormed through the stars defence.
Thomas CM was holding the ball up well and passing the ball left and right feeding Jack W LM and Chris.
Stevenage looked shell shocked but stood firm and soaked up the pressure. Stars tried to force the way through a solid Diamonds defence but great credit to Lewis, Alex LB, Toby CB and Joseph RB, Stars only had one real shot on goal in the whole first half which Bradley saved at full stretch to his right Holding on to the ball and keeping the Diamonds on level pegging.
The passing for Diamond was a pleasure to watch, through balls and one twos keeping the stars on the back foot for long periods.
The first half came to an end with the score still goalless with an easy team talk to just keep going and keep doing the same as the first half. Tom made way for Zac being a straight replacement at CM.
The second half started where the first had ended with Diamonds taking the game to Stars. After 5 minutes Jack W crossed the ball from the left and a Stars defender handled the ball in the area, Penalty!! Jack D as captain took the responsability and placed the ball on the spot. It was not to be the breakthrough as the ball skimmed of the top of the bar and away for a goal kick.
On other occasions this team may have crumbled but not today which shows how far they have come since the first time these teams met.
Jack W soon had a throw in which he threw to Jack D who turned and drove the ball into the back of the net 0-1.
The Stars were now rocked and Diamonds kept the pressure on.When the Stars broke through the last man Toby was at hand to clear the lines.Joseph and Alex clearing up the flanks passed the ball forward for some end to end football. Jack D then had a shot palmed away by the keeper only to fall for Chris who stroked the ball into the back of the net 0-2. Pinch yourself could we really do this. Lets not get carried away came to mind as a wounded Stars team were not about to roll over and give up.Stars caught Diamonds on the break and were through but the shot went wide and Diamonds had had a warning.
Some more good football with Zac creating several one twos with the forwards and chipping the ball over Stars deffence to a hungry attack.
Again the Stars burst through though and this time as Bradley came out to narrow the angels they scored. 1-2
Would Diamonds now capitulate or hold on, well neither was the answer. The ball was passed through to Chris by Jack W (man of match) who cut inside the last man and drove a low shot wide of the keeper 1-3.
Surely now its in the bag ? How long ref ? 5 mins (it felt like half an hour)
The Stars had one final attack and broke through the same as before but Bradley came out early and bravely dived on the ball as the forward was about to pull the trigger.
Finally the whistle blew. Diamonds had won and were now in the semi finals Away to Bedwell Rangers Cougars on the 18/3/12 this was by far the Diamonds finest hour so far.
Every player should feel very proud of themselves.
