U13 Clarets Vs Stanground

U13 DRFC Clarets Vs U13 Stanground, Kick off 12:00, Outgang Road

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

Result: Clarets 6 – 0 Stanground

The last time the two teams met was in November of 2014 when the Clarets went away with an emphatic 2-12 victory. The Clarets going into this game with two men down and only two subs available.

Stanground visiting Outgang Road on the back of some pretty impressive results and their season improving. The Clarets now with their single defeat behind them starting to pick up momentum. The objective for the Clarets was a clean sheet and 3 points at the end of the game.

The Clarets began proceedings and immediately put pressure on the Stanground formation, playing the ball back to tease out gaps and then using quick one, two passing which allowed gaps to appear early on.

It was the 4th minute when the Clarets really got their first sniff at goal when Ewan McCracken launched the ball towards the net to see it palmed out by Stangrounds keeper. Sam Bell followed the shot but could not control the ball as his shot went wide.
The game progressed and with the score still 0-0 Stanground started to grow in confidence, it was important that the Clarets did not lose patience as their shots at goal were met with equally superb saves, and the woodwork.

It was on the 19th minute when the Clarets should have had a hat full they finally got the break- through they deserved. The ball fell at the feet of Ewan McCracken who was at the centre of the box, he shot, and it took a deflection off a Stanground defender, hit the post and fell into the back of the net, goal 1-0 Clarets.

There were lots of battles all across the park, Dan Malcolmson winning his to control the centre of the park, enabling to utilise the Clarets wingers, Sam Bell and James Russell. Clarets Keeper, Nat Manders Jones and his defenders, Callum Cawthorn, Matt Holland & Harry Crunkhorn. The Clarets strikers Ewan McCracken and George Cushen always troubling Stangrounds defenders, but could not seem to beat their keeper or the woodwork.

The 26th minute approached when one of those battles Sam Bell won and laid a pass into Ewan McCracken, who saw James Russell hurtling towards goal, a sublime pass in front of James allowed him to let off a powerful shot without breaking a stride. This time the woodwork nor the Stanground Keeper could keep the ball from bursting the net. Goal, 2-0 Clarets.
That was how the first half ended, plenty of strikes on goal and 2-0 up.

Half time changes for the Clarets, Isaac Fleming on for Matt Holland.

Stanground got the second half underway, and 10mins in the Clarets made a second change, Joe Goldsmith coming on for Dan Malcolmson, a formation change as George Cushen moved into the centre and Joe up front.

55mins into the game the 3rd goal appeared, Sam Bell floated in a corner with his left foot, the keeper fumbled the ball, and Joe in the right place at the right time poked the ball into the net. Goal 3-0 Clarets.

Clarets dominating now won a throw-in. Harry took the throw the ball was headed on by George Cushen and it found Sam Bell who controlled the ball well and took an opportune shot at goal, the ball took a slight deflection and then found itself in the back of the net. Goal 4-0 Clarets.

With two minutes left on the referee’s watch the Clarets again awarded a throw-in, taken by Matt Holland, George Cushen controlled the ball well and moved it on to Dan Malcolmson, Dan found George making a run in the Stanground half passed the ball back. George fed the ball into Ewan McCracken who lined himself up for a shot, the ball flew from his boot, the Stanground Keeper made a brave attempt but the power of the shot eluded him. Goal 5-0 Clarets.

Just when the game was about to end the Clarets won possession from a Stanground corner, with seconds remaining, James Russell led the counter attack running down the Clarets right flank and shot at goal, the Stanground keeper blocked the shot, George Cushen controlled the rebound and played in Ewan MacCracken who was unmarked. With a blistering shot, Ewan added to the goal tally. Goal, 6-0 Clarets.

Stanground literally took the centre as the referee blew the full time whistle, Clarets securing another clean sheet and 3 points.

Man of the Match: Harry Crunkhorn