With Isaac (injured) and Arby away for the match, we called on Ash and Jordan from the U14s to help us out again. We started the  game well and virtually straight off the kick off, Blair received the ball upfront and passed off to Jonas for a shot on goal but well saved by their keeper. That early save showed that the Westminster keeper was quality and we would have our work cut out to get past him. The game was even for the next period when Westminster we able to penetrate our backline. Buster came out to cut down the angle and went to ground to block the shot. It was heading over Buster, over our defenders for the top of the net until Isaak came across and with a reflex action, knocked the ball away from the goal with his hand. The coach cried out in anguish from the bench because he knew what would happen next. The ref reached for his back pocket and gave Isaak a straight red card. Poor kid was devastated and now Blackstone were down to 10 for the remaining hour of the match.  From the ensuing penalty, Westminster slotted home the goal and went up 1 nil. We had to adjust our structure and get back into the game. The boys rely heavily on Isaak for his speed and touch in the CDM role and we sacrificed a midfielder in the structure reshuffle. It took until the 22’mark before Tim finally had a shot on goal but again the keeper made the save. With two more shots on goal with one of those requiring a full diving save by the Westminster keeper, we headed to halftime down 1 nil.

With the coach revving up the boys and asking for all they had in the second half, the boys rallied. Our efforts paid off with JB providing a nice ball to Jonas who laid off to Jordan. Jordan’s  shot on goal was initially saved by the keeper but Jordan managed to get his toe to the ball before the keeper mopped up the loose ball and Goooooalllll!!! We were back into the game.  At the 57’mark we kicked into the clear. The midfield played a through ball in behind the Westminster defence and Tim was able to thread in between the centre backs and slot the ball home at the far post. The boys were pumped. The game remained tight until just before fulltime when Ash played the ball in behind the line again and Tim slotted past the keepers near post to pick up a brace and close out the match 3-1. Jeremiah was unlucky not to pick up a fourth but his shot was again saved by their keeper.

Big credit to Jordan and Ash who played valuable roles in the game today with a goal and an assist respectively. Credit must also go to our backline and keeper as they have managed to close out most attacking raids and have only conceded six goals after six rounds.

Full time result Blackstone 3 defeated Westminster 1.