27/11/2023
π° Match report:
With no game last week, Redfearns U15s were back in action this Sunday as they looked to build on their first league win of the season last time out, with a home game against Worksop Boys & Girls Club.
The two sides had already faced each other once this season with Redfearns running out comfortable winners, but this was sure to be a much closer contest.
Redfearns made the perfect start and went ahead in spectacular fashion after just five minutes. After a mis-hit clearance fell in the direction of Dylan Johnson on the right side of box, he unleashed an unstoppable 'Marco van Basten-esque' volley that flew past the Worksop goalkeeper into the far corner.
Minutes later and the home side almost doubled their lead after Dylan Johnson flew down the right before centring for Reuben Jeffries. But as he tried to cushion the ball in on his thigh, the pace of the ball took it just over the crossbar.
Against the run of play, the visitors then snatched an equaliser with a well finished strike that gave goalkeeper, Lennon Tuttle, no chance.
As the half approached the midway point, Redfearns almost regained the lead after a mis-controlled ball let Thomas Gill in. He raced through but Worksop's goalkeeper got out well to make the save and keep the scores level.
Minutes later and it was Gill again who went close. After picking the ball up on the left, he showed a great first touch before beating his man but his low shot that followed was well saved by the Worksop keepers legs.
Five minutes later saw the hosts next attempt at goal, after some good work on the left from Thomas Gill won his side a corner. Dylan Johnson swung one in which was met on the back post by Lucas Brennan, but his header went just wide.
Worksop were getting better as the half went on and with the scores still level, started to grow in confidence.
Two minutes before half-time the visitors then took a deserved lead, leaving Redfearns with work to do in the second period.
Worksop had an air of confidence about them as the second half got underway, but that only lasted seven minutes as the home side drew parity with another superb goal from Dylan Johnson. After his first effort was well saved by Worksop's goalkeeper, Johnson then chased down the rebound before finishing with an audacious back-heel that looked almost impossible to score.
Redfearns now looked a different side. Worksop's swagger had gone as the home side put the pressure on as they looked for a third goal.
As the second period neared the midway point, Cohen Langley was introduced up front, and his impact was instant. After Oliver Polcyn's through-ball played him through just right of centre, he raced into the area before sliding the ball past the onrushing goalkeeper into the bottom left corner to make it 3-2.
Minutes later and Langley was again at the centre of the action as he pounced on a loose ball in the box, but as he took it away from the keeper, he appeared to be dragged back, but the referee waved play on.
With ten minutes remaining the home side almost extended their lead but were twice denied in a matter of seconds. First it was the crossbar that denied Dylan Johnson what would've been an outstanding hat-trick, after his shot from the left cannoned off the woodwork. The rebound then fell for Oliver Polcyn but Worksop's keeper got down brilliantly to keep the ball out and his teams hopes alive.
The game threatened to boil over in the closing stages as the game got a little heated with both sides desperate to get the result.
With three minutes to go, Redfearns were presented with a golden opportunity to make the points safe when they were awarded a penalty. After Cohen Langley's flicked header played Dylan Johnson through, he was dragged back in the box to give the referee an easy decision. Thomas Gill took the resulting spot-kick which he put straight down the middle before sprinting away to celebrate in front of his fans.
Full-time: Redfearns 4-2 Worksop Boys & Girls Club
Back-to-back wins for Redfearns for the first time this season in a game where they had to show real character to come from behind in the second period.
Coach, Ray Firth, was pleased with his sides reaction at half-time, and give his thoughts following the final whistle:
"We asked the lads to step the work rate up in the second half as Worksop finished first half on top. They did exactly that and the result came. The bare minimum any team must do is to out-work their opponents. Cohen and Oli offered great impact when introduced, and DJ was excellent also. The main thing though was the three points."
Manager, Dave Mackenzie, echoed Ray's comments, as he reflected on the performance:
"Oli made a big impact second half and was unlucky not to get his goal. Cohen's contribution turned the game but DJ was back to his old self and put a great performance in and well deserved man of the match. Again, I said to them after the match, 'play as a team and you'll have a chance of beating anyone'. First ten to fifteen minutes, and second half, they did that and got the result."
Nice to end 2023 on a high as this was Redfearns U15s final league game now until January. β½οΈ