Unsworth JFC 0 – 4 Elton Sports Club

Improving Unsworth lost a tight game to fellow strugglers Elton. The game started badly when the boys lost the ball immediately from the kick off and allowed an Elton forward to run through and shoot past Ethan, the ball spinning into the goal after the initial shot was saved. A disastrous start which had the grumbling supporters fearing the worst. The boys regrouped and started to play after the early set-back with a period of attacking which pinned Elton back without creating any clear cut chances. Peter had the first half-chance of the game shooting just wide from the edge of the box.

Ben and Sean were showing the urgency and determination to win the ball, which wasn’t always obvious in the rest of the team, and there pressure paid off to create a shot for Jasper who shot wide. A number of half chances followed, but too often the boys looked to each other to take the initiative and the chances passed them by, the frustration was growing amongst the parents and managers. Finally the forwards burst into action and a good attack, started by Sean and involving neat play by Jack and Jasper, created a chance for Sean who placed a shot just wide of the post. Shortly after Jack headed on a clearance from Reece to Jasper who sent a shot flying towards the top corner before the keeper tipped it round the post. As is becoming all too familiar though a good spell of pressure was followed by a goal conceded on the break, with Elton running through to score with a shot that somehow squeezed into the goal to make it 2-0.

Again the boys hit back and Jack fed Sean who crashed a well-struck shot against the post, the ball rebounding to safety. From the next attack Reece played Jack in who hit a left foot shot that was well gathered by the keeper close to his near post. The last chance of the half fell to Elton who broke free of the defence but Ethan rushed out to make an excellent one on one save and keep the score at 0-2.

The second half saw a spell of sustained Unsworth pressure, with the boys camped out in the Elton half and Ben tackling fiercely to keep any Elton attacks at bay. Chances were few and far between though as the boys failed to play the ball into the box and play the wrong final ball.  The best of the chances fell to Sean who hit a shot that was well held by the keeper. A rare Elton attack led to a mix up as the boys failed to react to a cross into the box, as three Unsworth players tangled with each other the Elton forward was left to roll the ball into an empty net. The boys still tried to attack with Jack A-H making a few breaks down the left and Reece turning a defender inside out 6 times but unable to get his shot away. Elton broke and scored a fourth goal and put a flattering look to the scoreline.

So another defeat but a continued improvement in performance and another very competitive match. This was a game the boys could easily have won but the facts are that they are failing to take the opportunities they have and are too easy to score against. A little more quality at each end of the pitch will surely see them win matches in the near future.

Man of the match: Ben. Ben was by a distance the best player on the pitch, breaking up attacks with determined tackling and using the ball well to set Unsworth on the attack. Ben really wanted to win the game and led by example.

Managers comments : Another defeat but we are heading in the right direction. Top marks to the groundsman , the pitch was perfect for playing football. Its just a shame we cant put our chances away (we created enough of them). That was the only difference between the 2 sides, shooting practice on thurs.