Clarets Vs March SS

U13 DRFC Clarets Vs U13 March Soccer School, Kick off 12:00, Outgang Rd

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

Result: Clarets 3 – 0 March SS

This was the second time the two teams had met, this time Outgang Rd the location on what was a cold and windy day. The conditions certainly had the potential to disrupt the game.

The Clarets for the first time fielding their new player, Harry Crunkhorn, who recently signed from Crowland was positioned in the centre back role.

The Clarets got the game underway and it was clear from the early exchanges that the Clarets didn’t start their game in their normal manner. Not being able to string any more than three or four passes together.

It certainly presented an opportunity for March SS to take hold of the game, in fact that’s exactly what happened in the first 20 minutes, although the Clarets did make some in roads their ability to not be able to keep possession for long periods meant that those opportunities withered before they could get anything meaningful into the box.

Even though the offensive players found it tough going it was the Clarets defence, and Goalkeeper in Nat Manders Jones, Callum Cawthorn, Matt Holland and Harry Crunkhorn, who held their position and any March SS attack at bay.

It wasn’t until half time approached when the first goal was scored. The Clarets had won a throw-in, taken by Harry Crunkhorn, Dan Malcolmson headed the ball on, George Cushen leapt in the air to nod the ball into the path of James Russell, James wasted no time releasing the ball which was bound for the back of the net, and that’s where it landed. Goal 1-0 Clarets.

The referee blew for half time as March SS started the proceedings.

March SS get the second half underway and the Clarets now a much better team than what went out in the first half, some changes were made Isaac Fleming coming on for Matt Holland, Owen Jacobs for George Cushen.

It didn’t take long for the subs to make their presence known, on 44mins Owen Jacobs received the ball from Dan Malcolmson and did a quick pass to James Russell. James cut in from the right and got a shot away at goal, March SS keeper made the save only to spill the ball into the path of the advancing Owen Jacobs. Owen making no mistake chipping the keeper and the ball enters the back of the net. Goal, 2-10 Clarets.

It was at this time the Clarets made their final change of the game, Joe Goldsmith coming on for Callum Cawthorn. The Clarets now growing in strength dominated possession and the heads of the March SS players started to drop.

The Clarets looking to keep a clean sheet and see the game out to secure 3 points played a very mature game for their age, retaining good amounts of possession and using time well.

It was on the 64th minute that the Clarets secured the win, The Clarets keeper Nat Manders Jones, goal kick found Sam Bell on the left, Sam laid the ball off to Owen Jacobs who received a crunching tackle from a March SS defender, James Russell picked up the loose ball and ran goal wards, releasing a shot in stride. Goal, 3-0 Clarets.

The remaining minutes of the game saw the Clarets hot the woodwork and creating chances that could have put them into double figures.

The referee blew for full time, a clean sheet and 3 points for the Clarets.