APJSC Under 10 Whites vs Balgownie Green

Let me say this from the start. I hate losing. It damn well annoys me. Unless I have a shedload of money on the opposition, which sometimes eases that pain somewhat. The problem is that they won't let me bet on junior soccer, so I am left with the feeling of losing. Which damn well annoys me.

The Albion Park Under 10 Whites took on Balgownie Green in today's blockbuster match, and from the start it looked as though it was going to be a cracker. The Park team was out of the blocks early, attacking from the kick off, and before anyone could blink they had secured a 2-0 lead. Noah Black made his first strike count into the back of the net, while Jack Tate's goal followed beating three defenders on his wing, and shooting from an impossible position almost on the goal line to the left of the goals. No problems to Jack though, he crashed it at the keeper and it bounced from him into the back of the net.
After this start both players and supporters thought it could be their day, but the bigger and stronger Balgownie team began to find huge strides through the centre of the field, and by half time had taken dominance of the match, leading 5-2.

A stirring half time speech from coach Matt Middleton turned the game around, as the Park boys and girls took control. The defensive duo of Brock Young and Indy Middleton were superb, tackling each attacking defender and then sending the ball back into midfield. Claire Kadwell made some crucial saves in goal on the few occasions they were able to penetrate. Jack Tate made countless runs through the opposition midfield, finding his way past up to five opponents in a single run. Belle Kadwell was fearless, running headlong into boys almost twice her size and intent on winning the ball back for her side. Josh Peters took on marking the biggest player from Balgownie in the midfield, nullifying his impact for the second half. Jack-Ryan Eberwein played wonderfully well, running hard down his wing and bullying his way to the ball on many occasions to set up attacking chances. All of this led to plenty of ball getting to the strikers Noah Black and Ky Van Helden, and for the first 20 minutes of the second half Balgownie must have felt like they were in the Charge of the Light Brigade (cue Iron Maiden's "The Trooper" here).

This pressure directly led to an own goal by Balgownie after terrific lead up play from the Park, and the deficit had been cut to 5-3. Not long after, some terrific lead up play from Belle, both Jacks and Kyan allowed Noah to push through his second goal, and at 5-4 the game was afoot. Five minutes later, after great defensive clearances from Indy and Brock was then pushed forward by Josh, and left Noah to make a clean strike past the keeper to level it up at 5-5, and the Park sensed that a win was in the making.
Only two great saves from the Balgownie keeper had stopped Parkfrom taking a lead, and now there was some tired players on both sides. Being a Collingwood supporter, and having seen such a scenario against my team occur on so many occasions, I began to get nervous, and it was unfortunately not unfounded, as against the run of play the Balgownie team found a way to sneak not one but two late goals, and snatch 7-5 victory. It was, I felt, a completely unfair result for the Park Whites, as they had dominated the second half and at least deserved a draw for their effort.

Player of the Match was Jack-Ryan Eberwein whose second half was one of his finest performances for the team. He made chances for his team by sheer will and determination, and he fully deserves this week's award.