Iguanas
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Sun 03 Apr 2022
Sporting 77
Iguanas
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White Notley Hornets
A tight, well-earned victory

A tight, well-earned victory

Andy Murphy18 Apr 2022 - 12:07
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Pressure well dealt with, and plenty of chances created, but the margin was close this week

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

A full house for the squad for the first time in a while, and a welcome to new squad member, Sam, as we start to build up to the change for 9-a-side.

Oliver, Isaac, James, Mason, Travis, Lewis and Thomas got things under way this week – a sunny day but cold!

The Hornets started off very strongly, putting plenty of pressure on the Iguanas’ half and forcing a couple of early corners. Thomas created a break of his own from one corner, heading the ball out and tearing down the pitch the final shot just going wide.

The Iguanas then built from this, and started to get into a rhythm of putting the Hornets on the back foot. Travis lofted a shot just over the bar, and Lewis placed one just wide. Thomas and Mason combined but again the final shot was just wide, and the same thing happened with some Thomas and Lewis interplay.

Thomas, Travis and Mason came off for a break, replaced by EthanT, Coby and Stanley.

The game was being played mostly in the middle now, with some great tussling from both teams, but neither able to make the decisive break.

James and Isaac then replaced Rui and Ethan, the full squad giving the manager headaches with rotations!

EthanT was unlucky not to open the scoring after some solid battling in his opponent’s area.

The Hornets then started to show attacking prowess of their own. A defensive mix up at the back nearly cost the Iguanas a goal, but Oliver managed a strong save to his left. The resulting corner(s) were handled neatly by the Iguanas, who were then unlucky not to convert a neat break, but still the Hornets pushed.

A free kick gave the Iguanas some nerves, having conceded from a few this season, but Oliver managed a fine double save to keep the scores level.

Pressure was relieved once more and a very nicely taken corner from Rui was so nearly converted. EthanT got into the mix with some good dribbling through the field, but was body checked before he could fire off a shot.

Sam then made his debut, replacing Lewis.

Rui showed real grit in the final 5mins of the game, stopping Hornets’ breaks in their tracks, and forcing a final corner of the half, which unfortunately went over all players and out of play.

Half time.

The same line up (Oliver, Isaac, James, Mason, Travis, Lewis and Thomas) saw the second half get under way.

Both teams were very evenly matched at the restart. An early corner for the Iguanas was well defending, followed by lots of pressure from both sides.

Thomas was unlucky again, just putting a shot wide, and looking very frustrated as a result.

The battling continued, ultimately a little too hard from the Iguanas as the team conceded another free kick this season. Oliver was good for it once again, the ball going out for a throw in which came to nothing.

EthanT came into the mix in place of Mason.

This spell was all the Iguanas, and the Hornets struggled to clear their lines. Lewis lofted a shot over the bar, EthanT battled and had a shot saved for a corner, the deliver of which was good but nobody could connect.

Coby gave Travis a break, and the Iguanas continued to push hard, keeping the opposition keeper fully on his toes, preventing goals from some nice shooting from both Thomas and Lewis.

Coby sent a brilliant cross over from the wing to Thomas, whose volley was fully deserving of a goal but was saved well by the Hornets’ keeper. Rui then worked calmly with Thomas for another attempt that just went over.

As EthanT and Lewis continued this pattern, it was starting to look like the day might end up goalless.

Stanley, EthanR and Rui came on for Isaac, James and Coby.

The Iguanas continued to press, but our finishing just wasn’t there today as the half started to draw to a close. And then EthanT took the ball in his own half and showed his usual dribbling skills. Leaving himself one on one with the Hornets’ keeper, EthanT decided to take him on this time, rather than attempt a shot. He superbly rounded the keeper and calmly slotted home! The impasse was broken.

Sam came on for Lewis, and helped keep the pressure up on the Hornets. The Iguanas continued to press, but further shots on goal weren’t forthcoming and the team had to settle for a hard earned tight victory.

A good display against a strong team. The Iguanas managed their opponents’ attacks really well, and generated some strong attacks. Our final shots were a little…rusty…but the game was managed well, and with the number of chances created from good open play, a goal was always a likelihood (the Hornets’ keeper also playing his part in keeping the score line low).

Iguana of the Match : Thomas – ran his socks off as usual, and got fully stuck in, in a tough game.

Match details

Match date

Sun 03 Apr 2022

Kickoff

09:30
Team overview
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