The Clarets lose points at home.

Deeping Clarets Vs Northern Star, 11th January 2015, KO 12:00 at Outgang Rd

Team Sheet: Nat Manders Jones, Callum Cawthorn, Ewan McCracken, Isaac Flemming, Sam Bell, Dan Malcolmson, James Russell, George Cushen, Owen Jacobs. Subs: Matt Holland and Joe Goldsmith, Archie Parkinson

Result: Deeping Claret 1 – 5 Northern Star

This was a long awaited game, two of the leagues heavyweights going head to head, until this point neither team had dropped any points, The Clarets defending not only a 100% record so far but also protecting their home record of no losses at Outgang Road.

The Clarets started the proceedings and both teams clearly nervous. The early part of the game saw the Clarets getting the better of exchanges between the two teams as the passing in the middle of the park played to the advantage of the Clarets.

The intricate passing between Sam Bell and Dan Malcolmson sliced open the Northern Star midfield on more than one occasion.
It was in those early exchanges that on 2 minutes Dan Malcolmson released James Russell who cut in from the right and fired an unstoppable shot towards goal. The Northern Star goalkeeper outstretched could not stop the ball hitting the back of the net, 1-0 Clarets.

Northern Star were in unfamiliar territory, now knowing they would have to come from behind to win the game. This did not stop their appetite to make a go of it. The football being played between these two teams were well beyond their own age group of U13s.

As the game progressed the Clarets found their resilience tested, as Northern Star peppered the Clarets goal mouth. Nat Manders-Jones forced to make some fantastic saves, and the woodwork also doing its bit to keep Clarets on top.
It wasn’t until the 21st minute that Northern Start got their break through, some indecision from the Clarets let in Northern Start to equalise, 1-1.

10 minutes left of the first half and both the Clarets and Northern Star had by this time had plenty of attempts on target, unfortunately neither team able to beat the other.

Within the final 10 minutes of the game in what was a fairly balanced half the game changed. Northern Star were in a position that was causing no real threat to the Clarets when out of the blue, after a sublime shot the ball was hurtling towards the Clarets goal. The shot found itself nestled in the Clarets goal, 1-2 Northern Star.

After the restart, on 32mins and in a moment of madness and indecision within the Clarets defence, the Clarets let in an easy goal, 1-3 Northern Star. The half time whistle blew.

During the first half the Clarets took some heavy hits and players came off injured. Owen Jacobs with an ankle injury, replaced by Matt Holland, and George Cushen, shoulder, replaced by Joe Goldsmith.

This meant a formation change for the Clarets into a 3-1-3-1 with Matt Holland acting in a Central Defensive Midfield role.
The Clarets adapted to the change well and it bolstered up their defence, knowing if the Clarets were to win the game chances would have to be taken.

The Clarets fought hard to create chances and when they came just couldn’t slot them away, three clear cut chances if taken would have seen the Clarets move ahead of Northern Star.

Two good footballing sides going head to head entertained the crowd at Outgang Road as both team let further chances go begging.

Mid-way through the second half the Clarets knowing time was not on their side pushed forward only to lose possession with the potential to caught on the counter-attack.

The initial phase of the attack was stopped, but Northern Star during the second phase of the attack used their size well. The ball floated high in the air and headed goal-wards, the ball looped over the Clarets keeper to settle at the back of the net. 1-4 Northern Star.

The Clarets made one final change, bringing on new signing Archie Parkinson for Isaac Fleming. With 1 minute left on the clock Northern Star made one more attack, they got a lucky deflection which beat the Clarets keeper and found its way between the Clarets posts. 1-5 Northern Star.

With the final whistle imminent the Clarets restarted only their advance to be halted by the final whistle. The game ended, Northern Star the visitors in what was a well fought out game between two very competent teams.

Man of the Match: Callum Cawthorn