Men's 5th XI Vs Beacon 6

The 5ths travelled to newly created Beacon looking to get their first win away from home. This game saw Jim Tranter return to the 5th team for his first league game of the season & Jacob Cunningham played his first Men’s league match too!

The game started, as most games for us this season, with Telford having most of the possession. Numerous chances were created with the most notable ones being a slick move within the left channel, where Abraham made a 1-2 pass with Ewan and Abraham glided past 3 players which took him inside the “D” at the byline. Abraham then put a reverse-stick pass centrally where the ball scrambled in the goal, however the ball hit the back of Abraham’s sick so it was ruled out.

The 2nd biggest chance began with ST keeping his composure to find Sam on the right wing, who then found Coler close to the “P Spot”. Coler then passed the ball past the keeper and to Alan at the back post, who unfortunately mistimed his shot and missed the shot.

Close to the end of the first half the opposition cleared the ball with a hard hit which took a deflection and took flight, this then struck John  K on his upper chest! Fortunately John went off the pitch okay and had no injuries.

The first half ended 0-0. Despite not scoring the team were relatively relaxed. We knew what to do and how to do it. The only thing we had to do … was do it.

The second half begun and 1 minute in Alan had received the ball just inside the “D” on the right and passed to Coler in the centre, who had shot blocked by the keeper. However Coler then passed the ball back to Alan, who moved to the near post, for a well timed “push” which saw the team go 1-0 up.

Despite one of the main focuses being positional awareness in this game (which was excellently done in the first half), it seemed to disappear after the goal and the opposition gained a short corner which they took full advantage of and scored.

The team tried to regroup and re-take their lead, with Freddie once again putting on an superb defensive display and showed what he can do moving the ball forward, with some neat flicks over the oppositions stick’s, and passing to his teammates.

The midway point in the 2nd half saw Beacon take majority of the possession and they gained a long corner. A simple pass to their teammate in front of them was made and they then quickly “slapped” the ball into the “D” and  Alex made a good save but the re-bound fell to the opposition and they took their chance once again.

Telford were now 1-2 down, with what felt like 2 chances for Beacon and 2 goals. However like all good teams, they took their chances.

A tactical change saw Abraham move from Central midfield and retake his Left Midfield position he played in the first half. Seth, Coler & Alan would then make up the central midfield, with John K returning to play and slotted back into midfield too.

Captain Ewan would stress to the team not to give up, keep pushing, remember how we want to play and we will have the chances to reclaim our lead.

The team then re-setup to the 3 key areas that were planned to be focussed on: Structure, width & pressure.

Time started to run out and Ewan found himself with an opportunity to score and the ball was hit into the “D” and Ewan saw the chance to score his trademark deflection. However the opposition Keeper made a good save which the ball then hit the post and out of play.

6 minutes remained now and a short corner fell favour to Telford. Alan injected to the top to Jim who slipped it left to Coler and strike! Goal! Coler gets another goal to take his tally to 5 for the season. 2-2! Can we get another?

3 minutes to go and another short corner! Alan once again injected to Jim who this time hit it towards the right post where Abraham put himself in the perfect position to deflect it into the goal! 3-2!!

With 6 minutes left Telford scored 2 to reclaim their lead & secure the victory. A very impressive effort to win the game.

As previously mentioned, this was Jacob’s first men’s league game and it didn’t look like it! Very calm and composed on the ball, partnered with Jim & Paul in central defence.

Honourable mentions to youngsters Dylan, Jack & Sam who always gave 100% and ensured that if the opposition did have the ball then they would be quick to reclaim possession for Telford.

M.O.M was awarded to Abraham for his excellent first half display, highlighted by him gliding past players & his second half performance which stretched the width to create great opportunities and crucially got Telford’s 3rd goal!

Goals:

Alan

Coler

Abraham

Assists:

Coler

Jim x 2