SEASON 5 – 25TH JAN 20 – GAMEWEEK 9

MATCH REPORT

Wow what a match!

The Blues started the better team playing Guardiola style tactics. As soon as Ste in nets had the ball or the defence they positioned Elliot wide right and Ian wide left leaving Tony in the middle.

The Reds didn’t figure this tactic out early doors and the Blues made them pay. They always seemed to have either Ell or Ian in plenty of space on the wing. Ell kept finding himself 1 v 1 on the wing and with his pace found that extra yard and buried into the bottom corner.

With Ell making a fantastic start and Tony dictating play in the middle the Blues got off to a perfect start with a 3 goal lead. As well as the counter attacking tactics mentioned the Blues also played a very deep defensive line with every man behind the ball which made it extremely difficult for the Reds attacking players.

After the Blues gaining a solid lead the momentum in the match seemed to tip the Reds way. In midfield they realised the wide men tactic and marked up much better and looked more solid as a team. The goals dried up and the Reds were more aggressive in the 50/50 battles. Eventually they got their reward thanks to some workmanlike goals from Dim, Balf and Mike.

With both defences making blocks and decent tackles; when goals were scored they were of real high quality. The pace and intensity of the game was frantic and you could see every player was buzzing and well up for it.

With the game neck a neck the game was crying out for a hero. Mike was the player who did this in the 2nd half for the Reds as he scored a few goals which he probably wasn’t entitled to score but his pure determination got him some great goals.

The Reds were firmly on top now. Balf scored from half way with a soft goal really and Ryan followed it up with an absolute screamer into the top corner to give them a 3 goal lead with 15 minutes left.

The Reds had been on the front foot for a good period now but for some reason eased off and tried to manage to the game. Big mistake. Tony was the Blues player who was making everything tick with quality on the ball and was an inspiring figure in dragging his team back into the match.

The Blues were now the team looking the most dangerous. A couple of mistakes later from the Reds and the Blues were now 1 goal behind. Ian blasted a rocket into the bottom corner with a few minutes to go and it was level. What a match this is.

For the first time in the 2nd half El finally found that space again and he ruthlessly beat his man and shot into the far corner! What a moment! The Blues were jumping for joy and Ell’s shirt came off swinging above his head in celebrating the winner!

Unbelievable scenes!

Before any kind of restart could take place the final whistle went and the Blues took the 3 points in an absolute thriller! Credit to both teams, both played superb and easily the best match in months! Well played everyone and well done the Reds! 🔴

MAN OF THE MATCH

Only fitting that Elliot and Tony received 5 votes each and are both therefore this weeks MOTM.

Elliot was unplayable for the first 30 minutes with his blistering pace and superb finishing. Scored a fantastic winner too.

Tony played a brilliant box to box role in this game. His defensive work was first class and as usual in front of goal he was hard to stop. Well played both men!

Remaining votes went to:

Mike with 1

Andy with 1

KEY STATS

2 points the gap between Ian and Ryan and it’s a straight winner takes all game next week, should be a belter!

Balf has now lost 3 games in a row for the first time in the league!

It’s now 5 loses for Nathan this season despite a really good game in defense this week, hard luck mate!

LEAGUE TABLE