Men's 3rd XI Vs Leek 3

The Men's 3s welcomed Leek 3s to St Georges this week. 

Leek had been undefeated so far this season and very confident to want to continue their successes. 

Captains team talk was to keep how we are playing and we were here to get the goals that we keep missing and play strongly for the win!

The 1st half was Leek playing the ball very well from player to player and pushing Telford’s defence and midfield into tight marking and with some great tackling coming in we held them away. Raj especially finding the week spots of the player(s) he had during the game to pick the ball off them.

Leeks got the first goal from a short corner. They already had several short corners which had a consistent pattern but to no luck. We tried to counter this but got caught by a set up change and they deflected the ball between postman Nighters and GK Brad. 0-1

Undeterred Telford kept playing hard hockey and were pushing to get the goal. Short corners not working and the odd 1 on 1s were being well defended by Leek.

Half time team talk was to keep pushing, play the ball more player to player and not near certain Leek super players. We can get this!

First goal came from Ben Stevens with a base line reverse after a good 60 second scramble in the D as Telford and Leek teams both trying to do something positive with the ball.

Leek went very quiet and it pushed their seniors players into attack mode 2 as they advanced higher up the pitch to get the game back. No Sir. Not happening.

All our player knew we could get this and we pressed Leek for the remainder of the half, Forcing mistakes all over the pitch with fast counter attacks. Goals were still getting hard to get. Some 2 on 1s should have been converted by our boys but a very tall and experienced keeper  was blocking out the Leek goal mouth.

More short corners in our favour and we discussed a change from the traditional top of the D.

A short injection from Glyn to the side arrived at Nighters who’s strike met with a lying down stretched keeper with the ball bouncing off his body. With no one about except Glyn, he calmly despatched the ball into the net! GOAL 2-1 Telford.

5 minutes to go and the team knew what was needed to keep Leek at bay.

An excellent performance by all the players this week. Maybe a nervous start, but we soon settled into our game. Yes we should be getting the goals when they are there to be taken, but it is the chances and gameplay the team is making together that really shows a well working team.

Keep it going!