Report

East Leigh v Woolston Rovers.

An important game today, the fight for promotion is very close.  There are two from four competing for the other two promotion places with Read Park comfortably winning the league, any two of Woolston, Seneley, Earlstown and East Leigh can fill the additional two places.

East Leigh kick off, immediately Jordan Algie attacks the ball, he chases down into the left corner and puts a beautiful cross in, Tom Owen latches on and scores GOAL 0 – 1 Woolston take the lead with forty eight seconds gone on the clock.  A dream of a start for Woolston.

East Leigh, obviously shell shocked from that kick off again.  Woolston must keep their nerve and not switch off.  East Leigh push forward but play is soon broken up.  The ball comes back down the Woolston left, the attacker pushes the ball inside, a shot comes in, Nathan dives full stretch to his right and saves, the ball palmed to the side, but there are no defenders to help clear and the East Leigh left winger follows in for an easy tap in, GOAL 1 – 1 East Leigh level the score on three minutes.

Woolston Kick off, the dream start has been undone by some lax defending.  Some great battling by Webbo and Joe down the right side again sees Woolston trying the East Leigh ‘keeper but the goalie makes a great save.  A couple of corners from Woolston causes a little panic in the East Leigh box but they soon clear their lines.  East Leigh push forward once more, this time a run straight down the middle sees the lad enter the box, he side steps an attempted tackle and shoots, GOAL 2 – 1 twenty minutes played and East Leigh take the lead.

The midfield looking a little vacant need some stability, Lewis Roberts comes on for Jacob Hardman. Woolston kick off, now needing to find an equaliser, the ball again coming down the right side, Webbo battling hard is bounced off the ball, yet the free kick goes to East Leigh??  East Leigh take the kick and push on, a shot narrowly goes wide but is watched all the way by Nathan.  Woolston push forward again but the East Leigh defence are holding tight.  A kick by the ‘keeper finds the every impressive number eight for East Leigh, he collects the ball, it sits up and a half volley is pumped towards the goal, it’s high and direct, it sails straight in the top corner, GOAL 3 – 1 nothing Woolston or Nathan could do with that shot.

A tactical change, Webbo comes off, Jordan Currie pushes up front and Lewis Slots into centre back, Kadie takes the holding midfield role.

Woolston kick off again and are almost rewarded with a goal, Jordan Algie almost through, he sends the ball to Joe, who crosses and the ball hits the defender, clips the post and goes behind for a corner.  Woolston take the corner, but not long after the referee brings the half to an end.

Half Time East Leigh 3 – 1 Woolston Rovers.

Tom Kenny comes on to replace Jack Bishop.  Woolston kick off, they have come back so many times in the season can they do it once again.  Woolston push on knowing they need to get something out of the game, soon they are through, Jordan Currie checks back on his right foot and shoots but the ball is just over the bar.  This is better from Woolston they are starting to fight back.

Another through balls sees Joe almost get his shot away but he is soon crowded out.  Ten minutes played and the score remains 3 – 1.  Kurtis Berry comes on for James Wheatley straight swap on the left wing. East Leigh is having another good spell and a shot is down Nathan’s throat, he palms the ball up and collects at the second attempt.  The ball is pumped forward, Jordan Algie plays a good through ball to Jordan Currie he runs on, checks the defender and shoots, GOAL 3 – 2 Woolston pull a goal back with twelve minutes of the second half gone, is there time to pull another goal back?

Tom White replaces Tom Owen on the right wing.  East Leigh kick off.  The big number eight is at it again and pushing forward with menace. He shoots, Nathan saves and keeps hold of the ball but an attacker comes in hard and bounces Nathan and the ball into the net, ref blows free kick to Woolston.  Woolston push forward yet again, they need to score, again good work by Joe and Jordan Currie almost sees Joe running through but the East Leigh ‘keeper is having a good game, he is quick to spot the danger and collects the ball at Joes feet.  East Leigh again push forward, they can sense sneaking a quick break as Woolston push forward trying to find an equaliser, but again the Woolston defence holds strong.  The last few minutes are looming, a free kick by Jake sees the ball in the East Leigh box, and a shot is smothered behind for a corner.  Corner is taken and East Leigh clear, ref blows for the final whistle, East Leigh 3 – 2 Woolston Rovers.

The last game of the season, Woolston is narrowly beaten.  Maybe just one game too many and maybe last weekend took its toll playing in such atrocious conditions. In saying that, the lads should be so proud of themselves, they have battled very hard this season winning nine, drawing four and losing five of the eighteen they have played.  A fantastic effort seeing a fifty percent win rate (I bet Liverpool would love to have that!!)  Parents am sure are extremely proud of the team and their kids some fantastic support which myself and Steve really appreciate.

MOTM today goes to the entire team, for all the hard work and effort you have shown throughout the season, another gallant effort today, but it just wasn’t to be.

At present we stand in second place, however the teams still in contention may change that over the coming weeks, although our season is finished, we need to wait until the final game of the season (20^th May) to determine if we are promoted or not. Fingers, toes and everything crossed here’s hoping other results go our way.