Away vs Hayden Youth Yellow 19Nov23

Match report by Ciaran Larkin

This was one of the biggest games that we would probably have throughout the season. Hayden are a side that we have faced almost every year for about 5-6 seasons, and each game has been close, where 1 or 2 goals decides it. But today we were looking for back to back wins over Hayden which would tie both of us on points and could lead to us going 1st if we win our game in hand, so we knew what to do.
The game started and was fought a lot in the middle of the park, as the pitch itself was quite narrow and small so we didn’t have a lot of space to work with,, as the first half proved as neither side generated that much, as most times the ball was just out for throw ins on either side. That was pretty much the story for the first half, not much generated but as we were used to the pitch, hopefully we could adapt and get better in the second half.

The second half started and the game was a bit more open, as both sides now could get more into the game and generate better chances. Both of us did as well, but it was Hayden who opened the scoring as their free kick found their player at the back post, who squared it about 8 yards out to their player who smashed it into the roof of the net for 1-0 to Hayden. The game itself was closely fought after that as we tried to find a way back in, and we did as Billy’s throw went through and found Charlie who lobbed an oncoming keeper, the ball crossed the line but Harry was in at the back post to follow in any way following a clearance off the line to give us an equaliser. Now the game was back up in the air as to who would win it. But anyone could see no-one would run away with it. Later, it was us who took the lead for the first time as Ciaran’s corner bounced off the bar, over the keeper and Kurt was there to follow in to give us the lead with about 15 left to go. Now Hayden had no choice but to commit numbers forward but we held firm and Romeo had very little to do, and the lead was soon doubled as Leo won a free kick about 30 yards out to the right, and Ciaran’s cross-shot went over the keeper and found the left corner for 3-1 with less than 10 minutes left. All we had to do now was just hold out and we would’ve gotten ourselves another valuable 2 points. Hayden did start to come back and threaten our back line, and with about 3 minutes left they got one back as a free kick found one of their players who headed in to reduce our lead. Now all we had to do was hold out and get the ball away from our goal. And hold out we did as the full time whistle came, and we had brought ourselves a good 2 points, not just important because of the league, but also because of who they were against. We came out of this feeling a huge sense of achievement, as we should. Well played to everyone including our man of the match Harry, who had a brilliant game at right back. We go again next week with our return fixture against Slade Green.