It's a funny old game

Team Sheet : Cole; Ethan; Fearne; Freya; Isaac; Jayden; Lewis; Maddison; Oliver; Sierra; Thomas; Zach

First home game of the season for the Iguanas on a windy, damp day. Not great conditions for a game of football but the Iguanas were up for it and keen to get started.

What is becoming the customary bright start from the Iguanas saw a nice break from kick off with Freya linking up well with Cole. But unlike our last outing we fully seized the moment. Cole played a lovely ball through to Jayden who was supremely composed and finished the move with a great goal.

A couple of corners from the Iguanas followed straight from the restart with the ball fizzing into the Avengers’ box but somehow staying out of the net.

After sustained pressure the Avengers managed a break into the Iguanas half, but Ethan was wise to the move and defended well.

More link up play between Cole and Jayden looked very promising, but the Avengers defended well.

Zach picked up from where he left off last week with a very robust display in defence, pushing the ball forwards assuredly and putting the ball into touch confidently when in danger. His passes were key in triggering plenty of pressure from the Iguanas, Cole being denied by a good save from the Avengers’ keeper.

Oliver had had a very quiet half to this point. An Avengers break into the Iguanas half was easily collected by the Iguanas no1. A solid drop kick pushed the ball forwards and the theme of the half continued with the Avengers box under constant attack, Jayden just putting a shot wide.

Then, against the run of play, the Avengers had a good break down the right-hand wing. Unfortunately, the Iguanas defence was drawn onto the wing and a good cross was whipped in with several Avengers players lurking dangerously in the Iguanas’ box. One of their attackers connected with the ball leaving Oliver with little chance.

The Iguanas didn’t let this get their spirits down and continued to push, Cole again taking a decent shot that went just wide.

Maddison, Fearne, Lewis and Isaac came on to give Freya, Cole, Sierra and Ethan a breather.

The Iguanas were now under a little pressure themselves. Isaac straight away showed defensive awareness, helping counter an Avengers attack. Oliver was then called into action and pulled off a lovely save at the near post.

Zach again pressed his vision and strength into action, pushing the ball forwards.

Despite the goal, the half was all about the Iguanas’ sustained attack, but once more against the run of play the Avengers broke down the right-hand side. Out of nowhere what looked like a cross was fired in. Nobody was really expecting the way it came over into the Iguanas box and somehow it slipped under Oliver to end in the Iguanas’ net.

Thomas came on to give Jayden a very well-earned rest.

The Iguanas still did not allow the score to get to them and pressed forwards. But the game was a bit more evenly balanced now; a couple of strong Iguanas moves forwards, with Thomas showing a great turn of speed, being matched with a few Avengers’ attacks.

Oliver was being called into action more now, and had to pull off a couple of excellent double saves. On one interception the Iguanas’ keeper noticeably pulled up, tweaking his hamstring enough to cause some pain. But he was resolute that the ball wasn’t getting past him again.

Half time.

Ethan came on for Zach.

Iguanas again set off with some very lively play down the wing. Fearne showed her considerable ball control skills and released some great passes. Our attacking play continued to be strong, but the Avengers were matching us.

Sierra now showed the strength we’ve seen in the first two games, releasing Maddison for a shot that didn’t get the goal it deserved. Lewis made a great break, but the Avengers keeper collected it safely. All three, Sierra, Maddison and Lewis were linking up well, keeping the ball in the Avengers half, but we could not make the breakthrough the fantastic passing work (a huge improvement on last week) deserved.

Cole came on for Maddison to mix up our midfield play once more and keep the Avengers on their toes.

A couple of Avengers breaks brought Oliver into action again. Whilst he dealt with them comfortably, it was clear his hamstring tweak was causing some pain. Zach therefore took the gloves for the Iguanas for the last quarter of the game.

The Iguanas continued to push and push. Both Jayden and Cole made some very promising breaks, and managed to get shots off, but today was looking like it would not be the Iguanas’ day, despite all the pressure they applied.

Zach kept goal very nicely, snuffing out late Avengers’ attacks early and feeding the ball forwards.

Maddison then came back on for Ethan, the victim of another muscle issue, the cold weather catching our Iguanas out. Maddison pressed strongly.

Cole and Freya had more high-quality link up work and there was plenty more attacking from the Iguanas, including a last gasp hurrah from Zach pushing forwards from goal with the whole team to try and level the game as the Iguanas pushed forwards. But we were beaten by the whistle.

A hugely improved performance this week did not get the result it warranted. The Iguanas high press and passing was fantastic, shots were pinging into the Avengers’ area and our defence was as good as usual, with two shots on target unfortunately finding their way into the net. We walked away unsure how we hadn’t won the game, but if we keep playing this way, that result should prove to be a freak one from an otherwise very strong performance.

Iguana of the Match : Cole – another strong performance in midfield, with some great runs down the wing and cutting inside. Unlucky not to score and much improved passing awareness in the final third of the pitch.