Broadstone Braves Vs Blandford United

Broadstone Braves 3 - Blandord United 1

Half time and Braves were down 1 nil to Blandford who were clearly used to performing well on their altogether dodgy home pitch...the Braves rolled up well on time and were looking forward to playing on a well groomed, flat pitch! We should have known better really. Despite the opposing team manager giving me the sat nav coordinates to the pitch were we ended up it clearly wasn't to be.

Rock hard ground, uneven playing surface and a concave bend which peaked at the centre spot so that each of the goal lines weren't visible to one another when stood in opposing goals...unbelievable but this was the pitch that we ended up on despite the fantastic pitches being a stones throw away...still, better that the under 11's played on the good pitches so that that didn't get hurt I guess!?

Blandford played a good game the first half and for some reason we struggled to get into the game...each and everyone of the Braves looked as though their durecell batteries had completely run down. Not good...The half time whistle blew and it was time for the manager to blow some steam out of his ears...the rocket was launched neatly up each of the Braves posteriours.

The second half saw a completely new team...it never ceases to amaze me...the coaches and I had flicked the 'on' button and within seconds of kick off we'd driven the ball forward, a neat one two between Ben Blades and Josh Powley led to a cross from Josh which was finished superbly by Ollie Cornellius-Jones...we were back in the game! 1 all! The pressure was piled on by Blandford who sensed that we'd decided that we had given them enough chances and now it was time for pay back...Our defence remained stead fast (albeit a little gobby to our linesman on occassion...you know who you are) and held them off, Tristan Jalie and Sam Klein working well to take back possession and clear the ball forward.

Matt Lonnenn and Jack Williams eventually decided that it'd be a good idea to join in on the game and put some good tackles in pushing the ball up and over the Blandford defence...I do wish they'd stop trying to volley the ball when its coming in from on high though, I lost count of how many times we swung a kick only to miss and give away possession! Control and pass, control and pass...Matt showed really determination taking a shot at goal with great force so that it shot off the goalees hands into a Blandford player and then into the back of the net....2-1!

The last twenty minutes were nail biting to say the least, Blandfords defence were putting in some hard tackles sensing another defeat and conceded some foolish free kicks...the Braves monopolised on this and Josh Powley slotted our final goal into the corner of their net...3-1!!!

As I said to to the boys at the end of the match...if they'd of played like they did during the last fifteen minutes for the whole of the match it'd have been another 6 - 1 Victory to the Braves...enough said.

Man of the match: Sam Klein for putting in some good tackles and waking up sooner than any other team member during the match.... :-)

Thanks to Dennis CJ for doing the line (and putting the mouthy ones in their place).

Well done 'fellas' ...we're away to Ringwood next week. Ollie, Aston, Mark and Joe can't play so we need everyone else to turn out and give 100%...see you Saturday.