Iguanas pay for loss of concentration

Team Sheet : Coby, EthanR, EthanT, Isaac, Jasper, Lewis, Mason, Rui, Stanley, Thomas

Another game, another depleted squad. Oliver out this week, with an ankle injury. Sam and Travis also out of action today. The club reporter was also out – but showing we not only have strength in depth on the pitch, Kelly showed we have it off the pitch to and crafted this week's report.

This game was on, then off and then back on again. With Witham having a weather impacted pitch, rather than play at Witham the Iguanas were playing at Deanery Hill.

A very wet start but the pitch doesn't look too muddy.

Kicking off the first half was Mason in goal (another brave stand-in decision by Mason. It’s not easy picking up this position), Rui, Ethan R, Ethan T, Jasper, Isaac, Thomas, Lewis and Coby. It's stopped raining for now, which all the spectators are extremely happy about.

A very even start by both teams, with an early strike by Ethan T, but the shot went wide.

Free kick for Valley Green Warriors that went straight off for a goal kick.

The action is very much up and down the pitch, but the Iguanas managed to break free with a good run by Ethan T, he crossed it into Jasper who hit it in the back of the net.

The Iguanas were looking very settled at the back and clearing the ball when needed. An easy save for Mason, which came from a nice bit of play from the Warriors.

There were lots of throw ins due to the wet, slippy conditions.

A first corner for the Iguanas was taken by Thomas, which was cleared by the Warriors causing another corner, again taken by Thomas who hit the side netting.

Good defending from Rui and Issac at the back, both looking comfortable in their positions.

A good run from Thomas resulted in a shot, but it was saved by the Warriors’ goalie.

As the Warriors pressed forward, Mason made two great saves.

Lots of play in the center of the pitch for the last couple of minutes of the half. Some great play by all Iguanas considering the slippy pitch, including a great run by EthanT who was unlucky not to get a chance to shoot.

Some great passing then led to an amazing strike by Ethan R into the top corner. As soon as he struck the ball, the crowd knew it was going in, no chance of it being saved.

Jasper and Rui came off, to be replaced by Stanley and James.

A quick bit of attacking play leads to a goal from Warriors.

More pressure from Warriors from the restart, but a confident clearance from Coby at the back stopped the attack, just as the half-time whistle is blown. A great performance from the Iguanas and the rain is still holding off.

Half time.

Mason, Coby, James, Issac, Ethan R, Ethan T, Stanley, Lewis and Thomas start the second half off.

Warriors starting with lots of pressure and quick from the start. An early free kick to Warriors, is cleared by Thomas.

Warriors definitely started the second half wanting the ball more, but the Iguanas are remaining calm.

Then the first corner of the second half to the Iguanas. Thomas takes the kick, and scores from the corner!!

Great crunching tackle by Coby, but he came off the worse. Like a trooper, he got up and remained playing.

Some great chances by the Iguanas. Lewis scored but was ruled offside.

Rui on to give Isaac a well-deserved rest.

Then a free kick for the Warriors from just outside the box goes into the net.

Lewis came off, to be replaced by Jasper.

The Iguanas were now under a lot of pressure, the Warriors coming close to a 3rd goal, but it was offside. And then the Warriors score. The Iguanas started to hang their heads.

Another free kick was given away to the Warriors for a shirt tug, but luckily it went off for a goal kick.

More pressure from Warriors leads to them scoring again.

Mason was substituted, Lewis going in goal.

Yet another free kick given away by the Iguanas, but nothing has come of it this time. And then another - a hand ball by the Iguanas, gives the Warriors another free kick.

A final attempt by the Iguanas, but nobody could find the goal!

The Warriors continued to attack, but Lewis is showing great strength and awareness in goal. A great save by Lewis and the rebound going over the crossbar.

The full-time whistle blew with the Iguanas not able to recover. A draw would have been a better reflection of the game. The Iguanas lost concentration in the second half, gave away too many free kicks and paid the price.

Iguana of the Match : EthanR – first goal for the Iguanas and a very strong defensive display to go with it. The bounty from dad was well deserved!.