Panthers Pounce to Beat Magpies
Another match, and another opportunity to learn. Today's most valuable lesson, was that if you don't do the simple things - pressure, intensity, work-rate - you don't stand a chance. This was a good St Paul's Panther side, who came into the match sitting third in the league, having won 4 of their 6 matches. They have the ability to hurt teams and sadly for Loxwood, we started too slowly and with far too little energy and aggression. As a result, the Panthers nearly scored with their first attack, just 30 seconds into the match. It set the tone for the first half, their number 11 using his pace and strength to break clear too often down the Panther's right wing and exposing our defence. Within 15 minutes the visitors were two goals to the good and it looked like being a long morning. Harry Hunter was a consistent outlet for Loxwood and drew a fine save from the Panthers keeper at the near post. The magpies nearly got one back, but Hunter was unable to get his cross in to Toby Chandler for what would have been a simple tap-in. Sadly a weak goal-kick gifted St Paul's their third and indecisive defending, when Loxwood could have cleared the ball, led to the fourth. The Magpies went into the break 5 - 0 down.
The second half was a vast difference. Louis Horsley came out of goal and took up a central midfield role. He brought much needed energy and intensity, and the whole team lifted their work rate. Suddenly Loxwood started challenging the 50/50 balls and headers and St Paul's were pushed onto the back foot. Horsley nearly won a penalty early in the second half, turning the defender and drawing a foul, but it was judged to have taken place just outside the box. Somewhat against the run of play, St Paul's got a sixth. But, credit to the Loxwood players, they never gave up and ten minutes into the second half, got a deserved goal back. Toby Chandler with a fierce corner, Horsley with a deft header and George Lillywhite on the line to get a decisive touch to send it into the back of the net. Horsley was unlucky not to get another, when Chandler did well to win a challenge and send Horsley through on goal, but the Panthers keeper did well to get a foot to the shot and deflect it out for a corner. The Magpies continued to battle, but a few substitutions proved the difference and St Paul's re-established their superiority to score three more and close out the game. Hunter did well between the sticks, making an incredible double-save to deny the Panthers number 11 and Mikey Arlett and Will Dixon put in massive shifts at the centre of defence to keep the scoreline down.
The Loxwood players should take great pride in the fact that they never let their heads drop, and in particular, showed more fighting spirit in the second half to put some pressure back on St Pauls from a big first-half deficit. The young Magpies will learn from this and bring more energy and fight for our match against Mayford next week.
Team: Louis Horsley, Josh Arnold, Mikey Arlett, Will Dixon, Theo Rawlins, Tom Pearce, Tom Lillywhite, Harry Hunter, Toby Chandler, George Lillywhite.
Goals: George Lillywhite
MOM: Mikey Arlett
The second half was a vast difference. Louis Horsley came out of goal and took up a central midfield role. He brought much needed energy and intensity, and the whole team lifted their work rate. Suddenly Loxwood started challenging the 50/50 balls and headers and St Paul's were pushed onto the back foot. Horsley nearly won a penalty early in the second half, turning the defender and drawing a foul, but it was judged to have taken place just outside the box. Somewhat against the run of play, St Paul's got a sixth. But, credit to the Loxwood players, they never gave up and ten minutes into the second half, got a deserved goal back. Toby Chandler with a fierce corner, Horsley with a deft header and George Lillywhite on the line to get a decisive touch to send it into the back of the net. Horsley was unlucky not to get another, when Chandler did well to win a challenge and send Horsley through on goal, but the Panthers keeper did well to get a foot to the shot and deflect it out for a corner. The Magpies continued to battle, but a few substitutions proved the difference and St Paul's re-established their superiority to score three more and close out the game. Hunter did well between the sticks, making an incredible double-save to deny the Panthers number 11 and Mikey Arlett and Will Dixon put in massive shifts at the centre of defence to keep the scoreline down.
The Loxwood players should take great pride in the fact that they never let their heads drop, and in particular, showed more fighting spirit in the second half to put some pressure back on St Pauls from a big first-half deficit. The young Magpies will learn from this and bring more energy and fight for our match against Mayford next week.
Team: Louis Horsley, Josh Arnold, Mikey Arlett, Will Dixon, Theo Rawlins, Tom Pearce, Tom Lillywhite, Harry Hunter, Toby Chandler, George Lillywhite.
Goals: George Lillywhite
MOM: Mikey Arlett
