Great Notley Falcons v Sporting 77 Iguanas

Goals for Zach and Cole in end to end encounter against Notley Falcons

Iguanas started the match with Cole, Fearne-Dolly, Rafe, Jake, Ethan in the field, with Cole going in goal for the first time in a match.

Iguanas made a positive start, with an early shot from Jake going just wide. Notley went straight on the counter attack from their resulting goal kick, leading to a goal for them in the first minute.

Notley kept the pressure up, tearing Iguanas defence. A clearance by Ethan to Rafe lead to a chance for Iguanas, but Jake’s shot went wide.

Back in their own half, Iguanas defended a series of corners, with Fearne-Dolly making a good clearance and Ethan getting the ball away to protect Cole in goal. Iguanas defence of set pieces is really improving, with good marking up by everyone.

A short goal kick lead to some lovely passing between Fearne-Dolly, Rafe and Jake, leading to a promising chance. Ethan and Cole were working together well in our own half, with Cole growing in confidence and coming out to feet.

Jake, Rafe and Fearne-Dolly trying time find a way through. Jake looked strong on the ball, but Notley defence keeping him at bay.

Much of the play was in Iguanas’ own half, but there was some good defensive play. Ethan was typically strong forcing players wide in front of goal.

Half way through the first half saw Lewis, Jayden, Aurora, Zach come on. Cole remained in goal.

Zach and Jayden immediately looked lively on the ball and a threat to Notley’s defence. Nice quick short throw by Aurora lead to a chance for Zach.

A well timed header from Aurora to clear from a white throw kept the ball on the field. Jayden showed good strength on the ball and battled through the Notley defence, but the shot just eludes him. Fantastic determination on the ball.

Cole made a series of great saves, proving his worth in goal, looking confident as he came out to claim the ball from feet . Lewis did well staying back and making things tricky for Notley. Lewis and Cole were working well together and communicating well.

Lovely movement from Zach and Jayden on the counter attack gave Zach a shot, which was saved. Notley had a throw in but Zach and Jayden are in the attack again, and won a free kick. Great free kick taken by Zach but it was well saved. Iguanas deserve a goal, with Notley doing well to keep a clean sheet.

Jayden and Zach both looked like they could school and were battling hard, with some great tackles in midfield. Aurora was supporting well and Lewis was strong in defence, making some well timed tackles and clearances to protect Cole in goal.

A Notley free kick threatened but was well defended. Lewis made some good passes to get the ball through to Zach and Jayden.

A spell of late pressure for Notley tested Iguanas. Undeterred, Zach and Jayden had more chances as Iguanas surged forward, forcing some good defending from Notley. This was end to end stuff and Cole kept us in it making some great saves in the final minutes. Iguanas ended the half trailing two goals to nil.

Second half.

Iguanas began the half with Aurora in goal and Jake, Rafe, Fearne Dolly, Ethan on the pitch.

An early chance for Jake was saved. Notley wasted no time putting pressure on, with great work by Ethan sticking with his player and forcing the ball out wide for a goal kick.

Notley continued to keep up the pressure, with a good save by Aurora coming straight out to feet to claim the ball bravely.

Blues counter attacked, with great passing between Jake and Fearne-Dolly. A chance for Jake was denied, but this was end to end stuff and Iguanas looked threatening. Aurora was brave under pressure with good defending by Ethan. Fearne-Dolly and Rafe tracked back well in support.

Back in the Notley half Jake had a lovely shot from distance. A corner ball lead to another chance for Jake but still the goal eluded Iguanas.

Ethan was doing a good job of staying with his runner, as Notley ran on goal. Fearne-Dolly and Ethan cleares twice in front of goal before Notley got the ball back in the box to score. 3-0 to Notley.

Rafe and Fearne Dolly were both showing a bit more confidence to travel with the ball and making decent passes under pressure. Everyone showed better defending of set pieces, having worked hard on marking up in training.

Jake showed great skill on the ball and always looker a threat. A couple of decent shots from Jake were saved in quick succession. Notley also continued to press, with Ethan doing brilliantlly tracking back to defend after supporting his team up front. Notley sneaked another goal making the score 4-0

Iguanas keep their spirits up and piled on the pressure the other end, with more chances for Jake supported by Rafe and Fearne-Dolly, but still the goal wouldn’t come.

Halfway through the second half and it was all change. Aurora stayed in goal, with Lewis, Jayden, Zach and Cole coming on.

Notley managed another goal to make it 5-0. Lewis was working hard in defence, keeping his position well and protecting Aurora in goal.

Iguanas stayed positive and keep working hard, and at last Zach was rewarded with a chance. A pile driver of a shot found the back of the net for Zach giving Iguanas a long overdue goal.

Lewis looking strong in defence but Notley manage to bag another from the kick off, taking the score to 6-1.

Jayden showed lots of creativity on the ball and put a greats ball through Zack and then Cole for powerful a shot that was saved. Notley counter attacked and Jayden is brought down after he made a brave tackle. The referee waved play on and Notley bagged a seventh.

As the clock ticked on the the second half, Iguanas enjoyed a lot of possession, with Jayden, Cole and Zach communicating well and creating some excellent chances. Cole was rewarded for his persistence with a goal that took the score line to 7-2. More chances for Zach and Jayden could have built on the tally as the play was all Iguanas way in the closing minutes.

Cole made some great late tackles to keep possession for Iguanas, keeping the pressure up on the Notley defence but our goal tally remained at 2, ending the match 7-2 to Notley.

Lots of positives to take from today’s game. Iguanas showed grit and determination on the ball and we saw some of the strongest tackling of the season as Blues battled for the ball in midfield. Cole did brilliantly in goal for the first time and there were brave saves from both our keepers. Heads stayed up even though we were behind and it felt like everyone had a bit more time on the ball this week, leading to some thoughtful passes. Ethan and Lewis were strong in defence, tracking back well and staying with their opponents, forcing the Notley attack wide.

Man of the Match: Cole. A great performance in goal in the first half and then battled hard outfield in the second, getting a goal to boot. Well done Cole and well done Iguanas!