The perfect game to end the season

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

Last league game of the season, and a lovely day for it. A pitch on a heavy slope left the Iguanas playing uphill for the first half.

Oliver, Sam, Mason, Coby, Stanley, Rui, Travis, Thomas and Lewis got the game under way, and started quickly with strong pressure up the hill and a header just going wide seconds after kick off.

The Iguanas picked up the ball immediately from the goal kick, with good quality passing between players. Lewis moved forwards, passed the ball to Thomas and Thomas beat the keeper to his right to open the scoring.

A few minutes of midfield play and battling from the restart, the Iguanas winning the battle. Thomas crossed the ball into the area, which the Irons’ keeper managed to clear, but only as far as Rui who was alert just outside the box. A great hit gave the keeper no chance and the scoreline increased.

It wasn’t entirely one-way traffic, with the Irons occasionally able to use the slope to their advantage and clear the Iguanas’ midfield. But when this happened, the Iguanas’ defence was well drilled, Coby using his speed to cover, Sam and Mason being resolute at blocking dangerous balls. A free kick to the Irons was placed wide after Oliver commanded his area and set his players well giving little scope for the Irons’ kick taker.

Rui and Travis hooked up on a further attack, the end shot just going over the bar. From the goal kick, Mason, Stanley and Lewis gave great midfield defensive cover, Thomas showed the speed he’s shown all season in defensive duty and Sam blocked a couple more Irons’ attempts to get the ball into dangerous areas.

Turning the screw, Rui and Thomas progressed up field, Thomas pulling the ball back to an unmarked Lewis who made sure of his shot.

All the Iguanas players were on the top of their game. Passing was spot on, attack on the ball the same and the decision making was quick and on the money.

Whilst Oliver’s game was quieter than usual (reaping the rewards of the outfield players letting very little pass them), a couple of Irons’ breaks did call for fast intercepts, which the Iguanas’ keeper handled well and, in a couple of cases, bravely with his opponents rushing on and Oliver giving no quarter.

Lewis, Stanley and Thomas made way for Isaac, James and EthanT at the halfway point. The fresh legs meant that the Iguanas’ attacks continued unabated. The great majority of the play was in the Irons’ half of the pitch, James joining in the attacks on goal, and a few corners causing them real problems.

Rui needed a break 5 mins further into the half, so was switched with Thomas. The score very nearly improved quickly thereafter with a neat cross from Travis being converted by Thomas, only to be ruled offside.

The pressure continued for the remainder of the half, with the final move very nearly giving the Iguanas another goal, Travis’ shot just going over the bar to be followed by the half time whistle blowing.

Half time.

Oliver, Sam, Isaac, Mason, Stanley, EthanT, Travis, Lewis and Thomas saw the downhill leg of the contest get underway.

The gradient of the pitch didn’t seem to make much difference to the play. An early corner for the Iguanas was crossed in well. Mason met the ball with a quality header which the Irons just managed to block, but only into the path of Thomas who added to his tally.

Travis made some great runs with the ball, but the Iguanas were now being caught offside a couple of times. When they beat the high line, shots went slightly wide or the embattled Irons’ keeper managed to save. Meanwhile, at the other end, Isaac was putting in a very solid defensive shift, and Oliver was called upon to make some neat collects of the ball to maintain his clean sheet.

But the balance of the game continued to be well and truly in the Iguanas’ favour. EthanT and Thomas were linking up to create their usual troubles for the opposition, and then Lewis attacked the ball superbly from a goal kick, and a good quality shot beat the keeper to increase the score.

From the kick off, the Iguanas were quick onto the ball once more. Thomas broke towards goal, Lewis and EthanT both went for goal but the ball was deflected wide for a corner. Thomas took up corner duty this time, the ball finding it’s way to the far post. Lewis was on hand, but not in the right position to shoot. A deft overhead kick put the ball back into the box at the perfect height for Mason to head home.

Travis and Stanley were given a break with Rui and James taking their place. James immediately blocked a goal kick, Lewis latched onto the loose ball but his shot was just placed wide. From the restart, the boys were straight onto the ball once again. This time Lewis’ shot hit the bar, but Rui was perfectly placed to capitalise and increase his own goal tally.

The Irons were well and truly up against an on fire Iguanas side. They were having to play with a back up keeper, but it’s really doubtful a full-strength side would have faired any better. The battles were really being won in midfield and on the attack, leaving their keeper with little chance to stop the ball hitting the back of the net. With this in mind, the Iguanas manager decided to let the Irons bring on an extra player.

This didn’t really make a huge amount of difference. The Iguanas had been passing the ball superbly the whole game, using both their strength to get through the centre of midfield, but also their passing ability to use the width and length of the pitch.

Another break saw Lewis well up towards goal. With little space to take a shot, he put the ball back into the path of EthanT who fired home.

The ball was won again at the restart by the Iguanas, and a familiar pattern followed. Neat passing to create opportunity. The Irons conceded a corner. Thomas took the corner and Lewis met the lofted ball at the back post. And a hat trick!

The game was drawing to a close, but the Iguanas sensed a double figures victory and most of the players wanted in on the goal action. So the pressure on the beleaguered Irons continued relentlessly.

A corner for the Iguanas was initially teed up by Thomas, but Rui was called in to whip the ball in. Which he did quite literally. The ball came in quickly, and with some wicked curl on. Enough to beat every player from both sides and to go straight into the net. 10-0, and a hat trick for Rui!!

The Iguanas were straight onto the restart, forcing a final corner of the game. Rui lined up once more, all the Iguanas’ supporters willing him to repeat his last effort, but this time it wasn’t to be. The corner was collected by the Irons, and the full-time whistle blew.

What a perfect way to end the season! The boys played magnificently, as a team. A clean sheet and a bag full of goals scored were thoroughly deserved. The Iguanas end the season having won more than they lost, and we shouldn’t forget this was a promotion season. On top of that, they also made the final of their first ever cup competition. The boys have come a long, long way over the last few years and should all be immensely proud of their progress.

Now for the summer preparations to keep up the progress. We’ve seen some absolutely brilliant performances this season, and after today’s game we should be able to look forward to more next season.

COME ON YOU IGUANAS!

Iguana of the Match : The whole team – the very best of the Iguanas was on display here. Every player was on top form today, demonstrating what the team is capable of.