MR U16s NL 2023/24 Team (Market Road league) - Regents Park Spartans
A Win of Character and Courage!!!
In order to have chances to finish second in the league, we knew only a win in this match would put us in the position to go to the last match depending on us to achieve the best possible place, the second.
The team knows the potential they have as individuals and as a team. We started well the match, we had more possession and we vary our style of play, through short combinations to link the play through sectors, and get to final third, when the opposition was more aggressive, we managed to play long and secure the ball to link play. The opposition tried to create danger mainly through fast transitions, however, our defense and midfield were fantastic, and avoid those dangerous situations. We scored first. A minute or two later, they got a corner, and from the set piece, they equalised. We stayed focus, and on top of them, and and roughly 5 minutes to the end of the first half, we scored a beautiful goal (back heel in the air). The message for the second half, was to stay focus, don´t be complacent, and try to get the 2 goals gap in the marker.
We started well, and we were close to get that 2 goals cushion in the first three or four minutes. Then, a very bad tackle that left marks in our player shin, resulted in a reaction from our player, that ended up talking what he shouldn´t, and he received a direct red.
Playing 6v7 for about 20 minutes, we were forced to commit even more and the concentration levels needed to be on a superb level.
Conceding a goal, would make our task, extremely more difficult than what already was.
The boys, handled it well for 7 minutes. Then we ended up conceding the 2-2. After the equaliser, they had one or two chances to turn the game into their favour. We all suffered together! Players went to their limits and commit to the cause. Even with a player less on the field, we went on top of them, the situations that got us goosebumps were when we lost a few footballs, and allowed them to have fast transitions, but once again, we also recovered well positional wise.
Six minutes to the end, comes a moment of magic and salvation, our third goal!!! In the last five minutes or so, we still had a counter 1on1 that we missed, but we were solid defending.
A game with two distinct halves, in what concerns the direction of play. Two identitical halves in what concerns Courage and Character!!!
A great win!!!
Now we depend on us to get the second place in the league.
Not what we wanted, but now is what it is possible to achieve!!!
Let's go EFA!!!
