Match Report
Greasborough Youth 1; Earl Marshall JFC 2
Sheffield & District Junior Sunday League – Division D
Canklow Recreation Ground
Earl Marshall had to put in a solid defensive display against a strong and determined Greasborough side finishing eventual winners against second placed Greasborough Youth.
Before the game Greasborough boasted the only 100% home record in the league, with seven wins including a 3-1 win over runaway leaders Young Owls, and as the game got underway it was clear that this would be a tough fixture. Greasborough started confidently, enjoying most of the early possession with the league’s top scoring striker Luke Mangham looking particularly threatening. However with just three goals conceded in the previous four games Earl Marshall had proved themselves more than capable defensively and Calum, Lahkem, Adam and Dominic held the defensive line.
Earl Marshall’s first clear chance came in the 10th minute when Kenan broke down the right flank and with another of his impressive runs hot passed the approaching defender before delivering a well placed cross which Aaron running in at the back post slotted home. The goal was against the run of play and had clearly stunned the home side but they looked more than capable of getting back into the game. Again Greasborough looked for the equaliser, they were dangerous from corners and throw ins, and Earl Marshall rode their luck in the 25th minute when a curling corner from the left hit the underside of the bar. But Earl Marshall now looked to have they measure of the opposition and they held on to a deserved half time lead (HT: 1-0).
Earl Marshall made a confident start to the second half. They won a free kick in the 4th minute which Adam fired in but his shot was just wide. Two minutes later Aaron won the ball in just inside the opposition half, before sending a neat flick up to Edwin. Edwin delivered a low cross from the left bye-line but no one was available to take advantage.
Greasborough did their best to raise their game but with Lahkem and Adam dominant in central defence and both Seymour and Jordan battling to win the fifty-fifty balls in midfield they were forced to play the ball out wide. Dominic J, Calum and later Matthew made important challenges but it was hard not to concede throw- ins which Greasborough used to their advantage. Then in the 23rd minute Kenan received the ball on the right wing before making a brilliant run to the edge of the box and driving the ball past the keeper (2-0). The goal gave Earl Marshall the breathing space they needed but still Greasborough continued to threaten. In the 28th minute Seymour, forced to make an important challenge outside the penalty area to deny Greasborough possession conceded a free kick. Aware that there were only minutes remaining Greasborough took the free kick quickly and the ball was fired into the top right hand corner giving Dominic MH no chance. The goal put Earl Marshall under pressure for the last few minutes and into stoppage time but the players worked hard until the final whistle to claim a crucial three points (FT: 2-1).
The result made it five straight wins for Earl Marshall with the team playing with a real sense of belief. The run of form, with six games remaining, giving the team everything to play for as the season draws to its conclusion.
Coaches’ Man of the Match: Lahkem Bonney
Mick A