A Trip down Gregson Lane.......

PREMATCH CONVERSATION BETWEEN THE MANAGEMENT TEAM EARLIER IN WEEK:

Assistant Coach: What time..?  9am!

Coach:  Yes, I agreed to kick off at 10!

Assistant Coach:  Are you Sure Boss? But the lads don’t wake up till midday?! (Well the 2^nd half!)

The Oranges travelled early today for an away fixture with Gregson Lane – (something to do with a match between some second rate football teams in East Lancashire??? Anybody know who? :)

With a very heavy pitch which appeared not to have been cut since early spring, the boys where under strict orders to keep the fancy stuff away and concentrate on the control, passing and moving, and I’m happy to report they did!  From the off a string of passes between the midfield of Joe, Kurtis, Kallan and Oliver was only denied by the opposition keepers efforts.

The early pressure eventually paid dividends after a fine worked movement which got slotted away by Kurtis, 1-0 Euxton.  It was to be the start of the onslaught of attempts to breakdown Gregson Lane early but saw numerous chances slip wide, over the bar or cleared by a 7 man defence and some fine goalkeeping from the opposition.  Number 2 was down to a solo run from the “Joint” Man of Match Joe who weaved his way through to fire a rocket of a shot and Euxton’s second of the match. 

At this point in the match Coach made the changes with the arrival from the subs bench of Thomas G and Connor, with instruction ringing in his ears Connor made his impact felt with his passing of the ball and control of the midfield quarter giving more width for Thomas G and Oliver to swing those lofty crosses into the box for Kurtis and Kallan to try and finish off. This also saw the other “joint” Man of the Match Dylan to stake his place for a transfer to midfield from defence with not 1, not 2 but ½ a dozen runs from defence (these continued well into the 2^nd half also).

Now into the second half we went with clear instructions from coach to increase the temp between the midfield and defence, the call was answered, 3 nil came with the cheekiest of back heals by Connor from a well worked attack started by the back two of Tom B and Dylan.

With a number of interchanges made number 4 was drilled low and hard into the bottom corner by Oliver who had come in off the wing to take his opportunity from the midfield.

With the game nearing the end the final goal was coaxed into the opposition net by Connor to give him his second of the game and Euxton’s fifth, another great performance, another clean sheet for Gabriel, the boys have found the rhythm which the coach is preaching in his Thursday gatherings.

“Men” of the Match – Dylan and Joe (coaches couldn’t split them today for work rate and commitment)