Saturday 25th January, Loxwood 4 v 3 Milford Pumas
Our last encounter away at Milford was a close game where the whites won out but in truth it was a turgid, ugly affair. This, however, was a very different proposition with loads of skill, goals a plenty and lots of excitement on show!!
Milford had come up with some notable results recently and came to 'the Nest' with real confidence, but with a strong line-up the magpies were looking to implement a high pressing game plan from the start. However, it was Milford who had the better of the early encounters although the back line of Paddy, Kinley and Harry Bubb were looking assured in defence. The midfield battle was a fascinating match up with Liam, Ethan and Charlie D'Aoust working hard to keep Milford's No.11 dangerman at bay.
And it was the whites who took the lead following a long ball over the top from the back, when Rowan beat the offside trap and with blistering pace ran clear of the Milford defenders and slotted home to take the lead for the whites. Nice!! Then Neo ran clear and the opposition keeper just stopped his goalbound effort with a cracking save. A few minutes later and Milford drew level after their dangerman broke through some tackles after the whites didn't clear their lines and squeezed the ball past Charlie Davies' right hand post. The same player then got the goal of the game as following some great skill he made space for a strike on the edge of the area and the ball flew into the top corner. Fair play that was a great goal.
So Loxwood went in 2-1 down at half time and the team talk at the break was that the whites needed to keep going with the high press and that the game would be won and lost on who wanted it more. The whites responded by coming right out of the blocks in the second half and it was Rowan who provided a cool finish when put through and shortly afterwards was on the scoresheet yet again for a fantastic hat-trick after the keeper spilled a long shot from Tom and he was the first to react.
The game was now getting stretched with chances end-to-end like a good cup tie but it was Loxwood who were the next to register after a great deep cross from Ethan caused havoc in defence and after a scramble the ball fell to Neo to poke home. Then a chance following a deep cross from Liam and Nathan did well to keep the ball in with a volley which the keeper just managed to save, but it was Milford who were the next to score following a breakaway goal to bring the score back to 4-3.
The last few minutes were somewhat frantic with Milford pushing Loxwood all the way for an equaliser, whilst the Magpies were looking dangerous on the break with Gethin, Neo and Michael looking to exploit the gaps at the back. But Loxwood are now learning to win games by using good decisions and 'game management' and got to the final whistle without conceding to signal a 4-3 victory and the close of what was a cracking game of football!!
Again, as with recent weeks to win a close game like shows how far this group of players has come. Loxwood simply wanted it more in the second half, and this together with a calmless and composure to see the game out showed maturity beyond their years. Well done everyone!! There were some great performances out there but the coaches could only go for Rowan Stewart today as Man-of-the-Match for his superb hat-trick!!! Well done Sonic!!
Thanks to Hannah for the great action shots this week !!
Our last encounter away at Milford was a close game where the whites won out but in truth it was a turgid, ugly affair. This, however, was a very different proposition with loads of skill, goals a plenty and lots of excitement on show!!
Milford had come up with some notable results recently and came to 'the Nest' with real confidence, but with a strong line-up the magpies were looking to implement a high pressing game plan from the start. However, it was Milford who had the better of the early encounters although the back line of Paddy, Kinley and Harry Bubb were looking assured in defence. The midfield battle was a fascinating match up with Liam, Ethan and Charlie D'Aoust working hard to keep Milford's No.11 dangerman at bay.
And it was the whites who took the lead following a long ball over the top from the back, when Rowan beat the offside trap and with blistering pace ran clear of the Milford defenders and slotted home to take the lead for the whites. Nice!! Then Neo ran clear and the opposition keeper just stopped his goalbound effort with a cracking save. A few minutes later and Milford drew level after their dangerman broke through some tackles after the whites didn't clear their lines and squeezed the ball past Charlie Davies' right hand post. The same player then got the goal of the game as following some great skill he made space for a strike on the edge of the area and the ball flew into the top corner. Fair play that was a great goal.
So Loxwood went in 2-1 down at half time and the team talk at the break was that the whites needed to keep going with the high press and that the game would be won and lost on who wanted it more. The whites responded by coming right out of the blocks in the second half and it was Rowan who provided a cool finish when put through and shortly afterwards was on the scoresheet yet again for a fantastic hat-trick after the keeper spilled a long shot from Tom and he was the first to react.
The game was now getting stretched with chances end-to-end like a good cup tie but it was Loxwood who were the next to register after a great deep cross from Ethan caused havoc in defence and after a scramble the ball fell to Neo to poke home. Then a chance following a deep cross from Liam and Nathan did well to keep the ball in with a volley which the keeper just managed to save, but it was Milford who were the next to score following a breakaway goal to bring the score back to 4-3.
The last few minutes were somewhat frantic with Milford pushing Loxwood all the way for an equaliser, whilst the Magpies were looking dangerous on the break with Gethin, Neo and Michael looking to exploit the gaps at the back. But Loxwood are now learning to win games by using good decisions and 'game management' and got to the final whistle without conceding to signal a 4-3 victory and the close of what was a cracking game of football!!
Again, as with recent weeks to win a close game like shows how far this group of players has come. Loxwood simply wanted it more in the second half, and this together with a calmless and composure to see the game out showed maturity beyond their years. Well done everyone!! There were some great performances out there but the coaches could only go for Rowan Stewart today as Man-of-the-Match for his superb hat-trick!!! Well done Sonic!!
Thanks to Hannah for the great action shots this week !!
