Sunday 22 April 2012

Venue: Cantley Park

Blues 1 (0) - (3) 3 Edlington

Blues Scorer: Liam S

Player of the Match: Jordan

Referee: Mr C Byrne

Linesman: Mr M Cooper

12 in the Blues squad for the final league fixture of the season: Joe, Nathan, Jack, Tom, Steven, Jamie, Mark, Liam F, Adam, Liam S, Matty and Jordan. Alex missing due to a family outing.

The Blues started the game strongly with Jamie producing some good work down the right wing delivering a number of crosses into the visitor's box. The hosts were unable to capitalise and at the other end of the pitch Edlington scored three times without ever dominating the match. Half time score 3-0 to the visitors.

In the second half the Blues stepped up a gear and with Nathan taking up station on the right wing the visitor's goal enjoyed a charmed life. The hosts eventually reduced the arrears when good work in the build up involving Adam and Steven completed by a Nathan cross was converted by Liam S. 3-1 to Edlington. Despite numerous chances the Blues were unable to add to their score and the match finished 3-1 to Edlington.

The match assessors Mrs Byrne and Mr Swaby highlighted the roles of Jamie and Matty in the Blue's performance. Jamie began the game on the right wing taking up a more central position as a ball winner later in the match and producing a tireless display. Matty played an unfamiliar role on strike in the first half reverting to keeper in the second period where he showed a safe pair of hands in preventing a further score by the visitors. The Player of the Match award was given to Jordan. Jordan started on the right wing and moved to left back in the second half where he really excelled in what was a very unfamiliar role. Jordan put a lot of effort into his game and in the end he tamed the visitors goal threat from their right flank. His defensive commitment was something special - well done Jordan.

A hugely disappointing result following such a committed performance by the whole team but the story sums up the season in that the Blues were unable to score. That lack of a cutting edge in front of goal ultimately helped the visitors to prevail with 3 goals from 3 chances in the first half.

Mrs Swaby's raffle was won by Joe's sister although the amount collected escapes me!

With the season done we will take a break from training for a while but the end of season awards night is approaching quickly - Wednesday 9 May 2012 at the Hawthorn Club on Goodison Boulevard in Cantley. We still have a number of Player of the Season votes to collect and these need to be submitted ASAP.

We will also look to enter some tournaments during the next few weeks.