This was the first game since the Christmas break for both teams, which was postponed from the weekend before due to bad weather. It was still cold and windy but the pitch was in good condition for the game.

In the opening minutes, the ball came to Max a couple of times, who made a couple of breaks down the right wing. Max put in a couple of crosses but these were dealt with well by the away team. Both George and Max made further runs down their respective wings and put further balls into the box creating a couple of half chances. George and Daniel both had half chances as well and shot narrowly wide of the goal. Hamlet court defended well and made things difficult for the home team. Shaun had several chances from outside a packed penalty box. A couple of these forced saves from the goalkeeper. Throughout the first half the away team fought hard for every ball and used their physical strength to good effect, stifling a lot of the home team’s creative play. Hamlet Court created a few attacks of their own, including 1 which forced a good save from Oliver, and one ball came though into the penalty box with one striker and one Forest Glade defender both challenging for the ball. Oliver came out and smothered ball with a textbook sliding take. Half Time score 0 – 0.

Forest Glade made some changes at half time. Daniel came on at left midfield and made an instant impact. He made a break down the left and put in a good cross, which unfortunately was not met by a striker. Within minutes Daniel picked up the ball near the half way line and pushed it passed one defender and then ran down the line passed another. Daniel put in a lovely cross before the next defender could reach him. The ball glided between the goalkeeper and the defenders. Robbie was perfectly placed to receive the cross and volley it home passed the goalkeeper. It was 1 – 0 to the home team.

Despite the goal and further dominance in midfield, Hamlet Court continued to battle hard and had a few half chances of their own. Forest Glade appeared to be pushing forward in greater numbers, leaving gaps at the back, which only encouraged the away team to counter attack. Shaun had several individual runs at the defence. On 1 occasion, he had just one defender to beat, who did just enough to stop Shaun’s charge. Another time, Shaun put the ball through to Robbie who hit the ball powerfully but the goalkeeper made a good save. Robbie and Wayne also had some joy taking players on, but there always appeared to be 1 too many defenders.

With about 8 minutes to go, there was a scrap on the edge of the penalty box, with at least 5 defenders and 3 attacking players for Forest Glade. The ball fell to Wayne who with his outstretched right leg, managed to poke the ball on the volley over the out-coming goalkeeper. The ball went just under the cross bar. It was 2 – 0 and for the first time a little breathing space for the home team.

Hamlet Court kept challenging for every ball and with just 2 minutes to go thought they had scored. The away team’s no. 9 striker received the ball from the wing and cut between 2 defenders. He shot passed Oliver inside the near post. The ball had gone beyond Oliver close to the goal line but somehow Oliver managed to react by leaning backwards and scooping the ball off the line with his right hand. Oliver just managed to hold on to the loose ball before the striker followed up. The game finished 2-0.

This was a tough game and a good one to have won. Shaun and Daniel played particularly well, working hard throughout the game. Wayne was also back close to his best, including scoring the all important 2nd goal, during a tense spell in the game.