U12 Warriors Turn the Tables on Sheen Lions Pride

Sheen Lions Pride 1 – 4 WRFC U12 Warriors

Warriors found their form early today at Palewell Common to reverse their home defeat from two weeks ago, at the hands of Sheen Lions Pride U12.

Tyler made a welcome return to the squad following a two-week absence due to a fractured wrist and his presence in defence today helped neutralise the few counter-attacks that Sheen were able to muster.  An easy vote for Player of the Match, it was Tyler who supplied an early ball into the final third that was seized upon by a Sheen player, who promptly dispatched it into the back of his own net to give Warriors the early lead, after only four minutes.  This hadn’t been part of Plan ‘A’ as such but the early own goal helped settle Warriors and the team went on to dominate much of the first half.  Consistent finishing once again proved elusive, with Marc squandering an early 1v1 with the Sheen ‘keeper, poking the ball centimetres past the far post.  Warriors created more chances than their opponents and if half of them had been converted, the score line could easily have reached six or seven.

Warriors ill-gotten lead didn’t last for very long. In the eighth minute, a long ball found a Sheen forward who just remained onside.  Leon made the call to come out to meet the ball as well – but on this rare occasion was outsmarted by his opponent.  1-1!

Warriors had to wait until the 29th minute to get ahead again.  Due to some heavy lifting by Tyler in midfield, Warriors won a corner that was taken by Charlie and delivered with his usual unerring accuracy and power into the box.  This one was kept low and as it sailed through a sea of legs, Marc broke free and side-footed it into the back of the net at close range.  2-1 up and Warriors had the edge at half-time, a far cry from events two weeks ago when the team finished the first half 3-1 down.

Sheen had one good spell of possession in the second half but again, most of the chances belonged to Warriors, apart from two counter-attacks that were snuffed out effectively by Leon, charging out of his area with his usual Warrior cry.  Sheen also mustered a free kick three minutes into the second half that rattled Leon’s crossbar but they then went on to concede another goal a few minutes later.  Darcy, who proved to be a prolific header of the ball in defence today, nodded down to Charlie seven minutes in.  Charlie in turn delivered a curving cross into the box which Jack expertly dummied, fooling the Sheen ‘keeper and allowing Marc to tap in at close range. Great teamwork…..3-1 to Warriors.

There were more opportunities to kill the game off completely later in the second half but Warriors kept Management and Parents alike waiting until the last minute of the game, when a Joe assist allowed Charlie a driving shot to end things 4-1.

This was a good comeback for the team today, with the players showing real desire and confidence.  Back to the training ground however to work on those killer finishes….