Forest Edge out Basildon

The home team started well, gaining most of the possession in the early encounters, resulting in several half chances. The breakthrough came after 6 minutes from a free kick. Max put in a lovely cross, which Ellis reacted to quickest, as the ball went between the defenders. Ellis calmly tapped it in before the goalkeeper could reach it.

Then, after 17 minutes, the away team had a corner. It was good delivery and one attacker rose well above all the other players in the box and headed the ball into the corner. The away team had equalised against the run of play.

But it was not long before the home team took the lead again after a smart move in midfield, found the ball at Ellis’ feet. Ellis played a 1-2 with Max. Ellis then shot firmly, and the goal keeper made a good save, but could not hang on to the ball. Robie was hand to belt the ball with his left foot on the volley into the roof of the net.

The home were leading 2-1 and for the rest of the first half there were many hard fought tussles in midfield with few chances. The away team had a good chance shortly before the interval, when a striker was chasing the ball into the penalty box and was going to reach it before the defence. Oli came out and as the striker poked the the ball, Oli slid out and took the ball and the player in one movement. If Oli had not made that tackle, it would have been all square again. Half time score 2-1.

The second half started as the first finished, although, Forest Glade appeared to be passing the ball around a little more swiftly and continued to gain more of the possession. Soon after the restart, the home team struck again. George hit a ferocious shot which the keeper again saved, but could not hold. Ellis was on hand to tap in the loose ball. Forest glade had several more good chances but could not increase their lead. Probably the best chance came from another free kick. After a scramble in the box, the goalkeeper made a good save. The away team still looked dangerous on the break, and had several half chances themselves.

With 10 minutes to go, one of these counter attacks by Basildon Boys, found the ball bouncing around in front of the home team’s defence. It was not dealt with quickly enough. One of the away team’s strikers pounced and shot firmly into the left hand corner. It was 3-2 and a nervous last 10 minutes for the home team. After another difficult ball bounced awkwardly for the home team’s defence, the away team had another ferocious shot on goal. This was met with an equally good reaction save from Oli, which stooped a certain goal. There were few further chances at either end but Forest Glade appeared to look threatening down both flanks every time they got the ball in midfield or at the striker’s feet.

This was a hard fought game and in the end, the home team were happy just to have won.

MOM: Charlie Perry