U-14s Preston Lodge 4-4 Forrester at PrestonLodge.net

After Extra-Time 5-5

Penalties 3-1

This was the S2 first game together and there was a bit excitement on the bus on the way to the game but there was also a lot of silent anticipation for the game.

Forrester had won there previous game 6-1 so we knew we were in for a game. The game started a high tempo with both sides having a lot of possession. With Preston Lodge playing a diamond shape they were always a continual threat on the counter attack. Declan Quinn, Ben Stewart and Calvin Robertson were the three main players with attacking responsibilities and all three players done well in holding the ball up and getting the midfield involved in the game. Through this Preston Lodge finally broke the deadlock through brilliant play upfront between Declan Quinn and Ben Stewart. This was a lead that the boys deserved and with more pressure a second goal came from Declan once again. The boys then fell asleep a bit at the back and let in Forrester with a slack goal. At Half time the game was 2-1.

The second half started well after the boss told the boys to keep calm and play down the flanks. This ended up being successful until a freak injury caused by a wasp sting Nicky Garity to come off. Ryan Harkess took the park and done well on then left hand side midfield. Dale McCallum being forced off with a knee injury made this worse with Preston Lodge’s two wide midfielders struggling. Also in the second half there was a change up front and in defence with Thomas Stevenson going to centre half were he played excellent and Greig Lauder going up front to give us a bit physical presence.

Forrester ended up getting back into the game and took a 3-2 lead. The subs that had came on took a while to get into the game and this made Preston Lodge a bit vulnerable. The boys then fought there way back into the game when Nicky Garity stole a goal when he returned to the pitch. Yet again the boys lost concentration and let Forrester back into the game until a last second goal from Declan Quinn took the game into Extra-time to the delight of the boss and the players.

Preston Lodge were continually a threat in the first 5 minutes of extra-time and an excellent strike from Calvin Robertson found the top corner to delight the boss and the players. The boys held out well until the last 5 minutes of extra-time when Forrester found a goal to get them back into the game. Connor Kelly was sent on by the boss and what a sub it was to be Connor was on the pitch for 30 seconds and made an excellent clearance off the line to take the game to penalties.

First up was Declan Quinn who slotted the ball into the goalkeepers right hand corner and sending him the wrong way. With Callum Gemmill in goals the players and the boss was confident and just as the words came out the bosses mouth “he will save” Callum did so with a diving save into the top right hand corner. Second was Nicky Garity who yet again helped the team out with an excellent performance with a goal from a good taken penalty. Callum yet again saved with an excellent dive to the bottom right hand corner. Dale McCallum steeped up after Calvin Robertson pulled out. Dale looked confident and tried to put it in the top corner but ended up over the bar. Dale was distraught but after a few claming words from the boss and the players he seemed ok. Callum unfortunately couldn’t save so Dean Riddle our captain stepped up cool as a cucumber and slotted the ball away to the keepers right. This set it up for a save from Callum Gemmill to put the boys through which he did with an excellent save in the bottom right hand corner. The boys then went up and shook hands with all players from the other team instead of running of celebrating which was an excellent bit of sportsmanship from the boys WELL DONE.

The boys played well and probably should have deserved to go through in normal time but themselves and Forrester provided a great game to watch.