Match number: 2501Weysiders Reserves earned a hard fought victory against an aggressive Virginia Water A side. It is now becoming a feature of the Weysiders Reverses season that they cannot get the same team out for consecutive fixtures, with injuries and player unavailability becoming the norm.
However, for this match against Virginia Water A Weysiders Reserves were able to play with the newly signed Ahmed Maklai making his Weysiders debut in goal, a position that has proved difficult for Weysiders to fill over the last couple of seasons. The Reserves’ league form has been variable this season to say the least, but having won their last two games, there was belief that they could put together a strong performance against a high-flying Virginia Water A.
The first half was not a footballing spectacle by any stretch of the imagination, with both teams failing to make any real headway against the strong defences of both teams. The only real talking point of the first half was when the Virginia Water A centre-half aimed a head-butt at Jim “Hendrix” Norton, which the referee failed to see and in the commotion that followed both players received a yellow card.
At half-time, the Reserves were urged to keep their cool against the aggressive Virginia Water side, and to keep playing the football, as the manager was certain that the opposition would tire during the second half.
A few changes at half-time saw Mike “Hollywood ball” McDonnell come on in midfield and after 10 minutes Liam “only available sometimes” Cox replaced the tiring Jon “Chelski” Scammell. Cox was soon in the thick of things, latching on to a through ball from McDonnell, and coolly firing past the onrushing keeper: 1-0 Weysiders. The expected Virginia Water reaction to going behind soon found the game open up and within 10 minutes Cox calmly volleyed home from the edge of the area, following another good through ball from McDonnell: 2-0 Weysiders.
The game was now end to end with the Weysiders defence falling deeper and deeper, but chances were also being created at the other end, but not being taken. With 10 minutes remaining Virginia Water won a corner and from this managed to scramble a goal (2-1) to yet again make the remaining few minutes a tense affair. Almost immediately after conceding, one of Weysiders international contingent, Marian Radu, found himself in space on the left, he beat the last defender, took aim from the edge of the area, with only the keeper to beat. Marian calmly placed the ball into the keeper’s arms, a chance that if put away would have made the game safe for the Weysiders.
Despite this miss, Weysiders dug deep and defended strongly to secure a good win.
Man of the Match: Mark Sydorin who gave a strong defensive performance.
Credit also the Liam Cox for scoring the two opportunities that fell his way. |
