Match Report

LTD Comets 3 - 0 Dunton Dynamos

U11 League - 25th November 2007

Dunton were down to only twelve players for the away trip to Orsett to play LTD - both Calum and Ross were unavailable meaning the remaining players would have to work extra hard to avoid a heavy defeat to excellent opposition.

This League match was played on a crisp, bright November afternoon (14:00 kick-off). Dunton turned out in their now familiar all-white kit, with the LTD team playing in their familiar orange and black kit. The LTD squad won the toss and elected to kick-off with the wind in their faces.

The Dunton team played with Jack, James, Billy and Sonny across the back, Ethan, Harry, George and Ben across the middle and Dave and Jordan playing up-front in a conventional 4-4-2 formation. Cameron was on the bench for the first-half.

From the start, the Dynamos started like they meant business and gave a good account of themselves in the early stages. They looked determined to give LTD a run for their money and spent considerable time in the oposition's half. This early pressure resulted in a number of corners for the Dunton team with Jordan bending them in dangerously towards goal with his left foot. Unfortunately for us, we were not able to take advantage. We were unlucky to be given offside when we were clean through on goal - the through-ball clearly appeared to come from a LTD player (i.e a mis-placed pass) which Harry ran on to and looked sure to score before the referee brought play back. A few minutes before the interval, we paid the price from pressing too far upfield, with LTD scoring on a breakaway attack. The half-time scoreline did not reflect events that had preceded - that's so often the case in football!

In the second-half, Cameron came on and played on the left-side of midfield. He's played all season as left-back so he was in somewhat unfamiliar territory. The team continued to press for an equaliser with Dave and Jordan masterminding our efforts up-front. As the game wore on, gaps started to open in defence as we launched breakaway attacks. LTD took full advantage and scored a second goal following a goalmouth scramble. Towards the end of the game they scored a well-taken third to seal the victory. Dunton battled throughout but were unable to break their scoring duck in the League this season. Dave went closest with a well-struck shot that flashed across the face of the goal.

Man of the match today was Dave for his superb efforts up-front. The partnership he formed with Jordan worked well and gave the Dynamos a more purposeful look in attack. He showed huge commitment throughout, tracking back to help-out in midfield when required - an excellent performance from out summer signing! Our other new signing, Sonny, had a superb game in the left-back position. He's slotted straight into the role and already looks to be an exciting prosect!

Once again the whole team played exceptionally well against such strong opposition. Everyone showed great determination and deserved at least a goal to reward their efforts. On this occasion it wasn't to be - but if they keep playing to this standard, it'll only be a matter of time before the Dynamos get their first well-earned points of the season.

The fixture schedule hasn't been kind to us this season. We've played most of the top teams in this league and have been on the receiving end of some comprehensive drubbings. On this occasion however, LTD Comets knew they'd been in a tough game and had to work hard to get the victory. Well done boys - keep up the good work!

Our thanks go to the LTD team for an excellent game played in good spirits throughout. Our thanks go also to the referee (one of the LTD player's dads) who stood-in at short notice when the allocated referee failed to show. Good luck for the remainder of the season.