A tough game to end the season - but 8 games unbeaten!

Team Sheet : Coby, EthanR, EthanT, Isaac, James, Lewis, Oliver, Rui, Sam, Stanley, Thomas, Travis

The final game of the season arrived, 24 hours after their last game, “away” (albeit close to home) at Great Notley Falcons. The pitch left plenty to be desired, with mixed length grass and more ripples than an ice cream van, but the Iguanas were set again and keen on ending the season well and preserving their unbeaten run, which stood at 7 before the game started (almost 2 months to the day unbeaten).

Oliver, James, Isaac, EthanT, Coby, Thomas and Lewis took to the pitch first, and immediately got onto the front foot, James playing the ball neatly to Thomas, who found Lewis in the middle, ultimately forcing a save from the keeper. James set up a carbon copy move from the Falcon’s goal kick.

The Falcons showed they weren’t going to roll over and set up an attack of their own, Oliver being quick to collect the ball. A Falcons’ corner not long afterwards was poorly marked, but went out wide.

The game progressed in a very backward and forward manner for the next 10-15mins, both teams trying to find a decisive breakthrough. Lewis and EthanT were both unlucky not to convert nice moves. Oliver was forced into some decent saves, his defence working hard to minimise shots on goal, and Thomas and EthanT tracking back well in support.

Coby was working himself into good positions, and also forced the Falcons’ keeper into a good save. But the first half this week was dominated by strong defensive play, both attacking forces finding it hard to get through the lines, and when they did, both keepers were ready.

EthanR, Sam and Stanley came on to give Coby, James and Isaac a break.

Then, finally, EthanT went on one of his marauding runs down the centre of the pitch, taking on every Falcons’ player that came his way. Taking the ball into the box, he slotted the ball neatly past the Falcons’ keeper, and the Iguanas were ahead.

The Iguanas managed a couple of solid breaks from the restart, but then it was the Falcons’ turn to get the upper hand in play. Unfortunately for them, EthanR was constantly on hand, watching the play develop and being in the right place at the right time to stop the Falcons in their tracks.

EthanT and Thomas made way for Travis and Rui. But at the same time, Sam had to come off due to a nose bleed, Isaac coming back into the fray.

The battling between the two sides continued, Isaac very strong once again and Rui showing he was equal to the task too.

On the next Falcons’ break, EthanR, Isaac and Oliver showed why the team were unbeaten in so long with great defensive communication and cover play between all three.

A Falcons’ corner was collected calmly by Isaac, starting a classic Iguanas’ passing move through the field, first to Rui who gained ground and then found Lewis. Lewis poked the ball past the keeper, and despite all the Iguanas’ fans cheering, the ball just rolled wide of the goal.

Lewis made a strong run at the Falcons from the goal kick, but the half time whistle blew, stopping play.

Half time.

The final second half of the season began with Oliver, James, Isaac, EthanT, Travis, Thomas and Coby.

The Iguanas started the half with purpose, attacking nicely and Travis just shooting wide.

Then a Falcons’ break moved quickly into the Iguanas’ half, and just as they made it into the Iguanas’ box, Isaac timed a tackle that got the ball but brought the Falcons’ attacker down. The referee awarded what looked like a very harsh penalty, and a moment later the Falcons were level.

The half then settled into the same sort of rhythm the first half had been played to, both teams creating attacks but being thwarted by strong defensive play. Oliver was once more being called upon for some important saves, Coby, Thomas and Travis were linking up well to get into attacking positions, but shots were just placed wide or forcing saves out of the Falcons’ keeper.

James and Isaac made way for Sam and Ethan, Lewis coming on in place of Coby. But the pattern continued much the same.

Thomas was injured, taking a ball to the face, Rui replacing him.

Another attack from the Falcons saw Oliver pull off a brilliant triple save to keep the scores level. And the break and counter went on from both sides.

Stanley came on for Travis, and got straight into the action, feeding the ball neatly up the left to Lewis. The final shot went just wide. EthanT was then replaced by Thomas, but still that final edge eluded the team.

As the game drew to a close, Rui won a free kick. The kick was delivered well, but as per a number of efforts from the team on goal today, the net escaped the Iguanas. Rui then set up one last break with Lewis, but the final shot again went just wide.

The final whistle blew with the Falcons’ attacks having petered out, and the Iguanas holding fast to make it 8 games unbeaten. A slightly less clinical game today, but played against a strong side who were up for the game and prepared to attack strongly. The defensive line ups of both teams passed the many tests they were put through, and it was only a 50:50 penalty that managed to break the Iguanas today and prevent what would have been a hard fought but deserved win.

The last 2 months have been a fantastic end to a fantastic season, and have demonstrated just how far the team have come as a unit. The old hands know each other well, and know their jobs brilliantly, and the newer players have slotted in extremely well and very quickly, adding dimensions to the team’s play and giving options that should see us with a strong squad for the start of 9-a-side football next season.

Iguana of the Match : Isaac – another solid performance, two on the bounce with good communication, solid tackling and good footwork to move the ball calmly.