Vs Wickersley (LEAGUE) 19/03/17

LINEUP:

GK: Cameron 

CB: Ethan

CB: Jack

CB: Adam

RM: Sam

CM: Owen

CM: Ben

LM: Kyle

ST: Alfie 

(What a surprise, only nine players)

THE OPPOSITION:

Having played recently away from home, and being unlucky to only get a draw, we should've been full of confidence that we could get at least a point. But due to the lack of players, we knew we were in for a long morning. 

THE MATCH:

It was a slow start to the game with Wickersley not being able to break us down in the final third, despite having a two man advantage. I was only forced to make a couple of comfortable saves before they grabbed an opener in the 32nd minute. The goal came from no where as EMU's cleared a corner, but the ball came to the winger, who whipped an effort across goal leaving me with no chance right into the corner. They grabbed a second just before halftime curtesy of a backheal playing the ball through to the striker who slotted the ball home. 

HALFTIME SCORE: EMU's 0-2 Wickersley

Wickersley started brightly in the second half and again forced me into making a few saves. But they managed to seal the game on the 55 minute after the striker went one on one with me, I managed to save the first effort, but the ball rebound back into his path for him to grab the third. The fourth followed soon after 5 minutes later, as a ball was played across the box for the player to slide the ball in from 10 yards. EMU's managed to create a chance to score when Kyle went in one on one but could only force a tame save. The scoring was complete on the 70 minute when (what appeared to be an offside player) Wickersley ran onto a through ball and placed it into the corner. Both me and the EMU's defence managed to keep the score down but the damage had already been done. 

FULLTIME SCORE: EMU's 0-5 Wickersley 

PLAYER RATINGS:

Cameron - thought I had one of my better games and made a lot of saves. 9/10

Ethan - defended well but was occasionally ball watching. 7/10

Jack - another great performance from Jack, by far the best defender on the pitch. 9/10

Adam - had his best game in an EMU's shirt and was very solid. 8/10

Sam - struggled to get any of the ball and had no effect on the match. 5/10

Owen - had too much to do in the middle and struggled throughout. 6/10

Ben - had a very good game and was great defensively. 8/10

Kyle - like Sam had a poor game, when he got on the ball he was poor and probably should've scored. 5/10

Alfie - Worked very hard first half but looked incredibly tired in the second half. 6/10

ON A PERSONAL NOTE:

Think I covered most of it above but stand out performers today were definitely Ben and Adam, really stepped up for the team. Jack is my personal man of the match because I'd never give it to myself, but I reckon you could argue a strong case for the both of us. If we would've had 11 players I reckon we could've got a draw but unfortunately, we couldn't compete with nine players. 

Vs Stocksbridge Park Steels (LEAGUE) 12/03/17

THE LINEUP:

GK: Cameron

RB: Adam

CB: Jack

CB: Casey

LB: Matt

RM: Lewis

CM: Jon

CM: Alex

LM: Sam

CF: Owen

ST: Alfie

(No Substitutes)

THE OPPOSITION:

Stocksbridge were the first side that I played against for EMU's, and they have some good quality players but don't pose much height or strength. They sit comfortably in mid-table and play on a nice pitch on top of a very large hill. 

THE MATCH:

From the off you could see which side we're going to dominate this match and unfortunately for us, that team was Stocksbridge. They kept a lot of the ball but didn't really do that much with it. Even from set pieces, they didn't pose much threat, but they were clearly in control of the game. Their best chance came from an overhead kick which I got down well to save but couldn't keep hold of, thus putting the ball on a plate for the striker to tap home but somehow, from 2 yards, he put it wide of the empty goal. Soon after Stocksbridge came close again, this time with a left footed half volley from the left side of the box 20 yards out, across the goal, and flicking the outside of the post. But just a minute before halftime, Stocksbridge got their goal from EMU's failing to clear a corner, which dropped on the half volley from the centre of the pitch 18 yards out, and flew into the top right corner, despite myself getting half a hand to the ball. 

HALFTIME SCORE: STOCKSBRIDGE 1-0 EMU's

The second half started the same as the first, as Stocksbridge dominated the ball but didn't create a single chance on goal. And neither did EMU's until the last 15 minutes where they grew in confidence and managed to get a couple of free kicks in good areas, and corners. If the delivery had been better, I would've had no doubts that they would've grabbed a goal. But with 88 minutes on the clock, EMU's were put the sword and after I denied the first effort, the rebound rebounded off the leg off the striker into the six yard area and he had a simple tap in. 

FULLTIME SCORE: STOCKSBRIDGE 2-0 EMU's

PLAYER RATINGS:

Cameron - played well, was very unlucky with both goals and kept the score down a bit 8/10.

Adam - struggled again and didn't get involved in the game 6/10. 

Jack - had another great game but was outshone by his centre back partner 8/10. 

Casey - played very well and deservedly the man of the match 9/10. 

Matt - really struggled in the game 5/10. 

Lewis - did enough but struggle as he had a lack of strength 6/10. 

Jon - for once, didn't have a great game, can't remember him making an impact 6/10. 

Alex - had decent spells but his delivery let him down 7/10. 

Sam - very similar to Lewis 6/10. 

Owen - tried to get onto the ball a lot, didn't stand much of a chance 7/10. 

Alfie - worked hard but did also struggle 7/10. 

ON A PERSONAL NOTE:

Stocksbridge really showed their quality and didn't really give us a chance until the last 20 minutes. We defended well but I think the score line flattered us a little and they could've easily had more than two.