Riverside Rovers Vs U13 Clarets

Team Sheet: Nat Manders Jones, Callum Cawthorn, Ewan McCracken, Isaac Flemming, Sam Bell, Dan Malcolmson, James Russell, George Cushen, Owen Jacobs. Matt Holland, Joe Goldmith Subs: None Goldsmith.

Result: Riverside Rovers 3 – 2 Deeping ClaretsThe Clarets started a game that from the off we knew was going to be a difficult fixture, the very nature and experience with the opposition, Riverside a well organised team defensively and a team that can break on the counter attack, plus this was the first foray into 11v11 for the Clarets and with a team of only 11 players, it meant every player playing with no subs to support.

Saying all of that, it didn’t stop the Clarets dominating the entire game, the Clarets from the beginning did not let the situation worry them, while paying respect to the opposition, the Clarets wanted to prove a point, be it 11v11 or 9v9 they could hold their own.

It was an attack in the 4th minute that started the excitement, Ewan McCracken from the left crossed the ball into Riverside Rovers 6 yard box which was met by George Cushen who’s strike had beaten the Goal Keeper only for the cross bar to save Riverside from going 0-1 down.

This was definitely a game for spectators. During the opening exchanges the Clarets started to dominate possession with some intricate passing between Dan Malcolmson and James Russell, which opened up the Riverside defence, only to see another attack thwarted by the Riverside Rovers goal keeper.

It was in the 14th minute when the tables suddenly turn, Riverside Rover counter attack, and with their first time in the Clarets half strike at the Clarets goal. The Clarets against the run of play find themselves 1-0 down.

The Clarets again for all the possession and attacks on goal could not find the equaliser, it was on the 20th minute when the Clarets broke down the left and Ewan McCracken crossed the ball which was met by George Cushen who chipped the Riverside goal keeper, and the ball stroked the net. It was equal, 1-1, the Clarets back on a level footing.

As the game progressed it was apparent it had the opportunity to go either way, the gates would open up and there would be goals galore or it was going to be a tight affair. With the first half nearing an end, the Clarets came under attack and due to some poor defending, on 31 minutes found themselves 2-1 down as the half time whistle blew.

Riverside Rover started the second half, unfortunately the Clarets started with 10 men due to an ankle injury to Dan Malcolmson who was receiving treatment at the side. The Clarets still holding their own with 10 men were quick to win a free kick, which was taken by James Russell and which narrowly missed the goal.

It was on the 50th minute that Riverside Rovers broke through on a rare move into the Clarets half, it was a 1:1 situation between the Riverside striker and the Clarets goal keeper, Nat Manders-Jones. Luckily it was Nat who was the victor on that occasion pulling off a fine save to stop the Clarets going down 3-1.

It wasn’t until half way through the second half that the Clarets were able to field all 11 players, but it did make a difference, Sam Bell found George Cushen who with a fine pass put in James Russsell to rifle the ball towards the Riverside goal, this time beating the goa keeper, the Clarets on 63 minutes were level again, 2-2.

It was becoming tense with a place in the second round at stake for both teams, the Clarets now rarely out of the Riverside half was peppering the goal and it was the Riverside goal keeper winning almost all of the exchanges.
The game was heading for extra time when on the 70th minute Riverside broke down the Clarets right, the winger cut the ball in and the ball was struck and found the back of the net, Riverside 3-2 Clarets.

Wasting no time the Clarets started the game again and found themselves in the Riverside box, the ball was crossed by Sam Bell on the left and met by James Russell who hit a fantastic shot at the Riverside goal, again the Riverside goal keeper equal to that shot blocked it with a trailing foot.
The referee blew the final whistle, the game ended, Riverside Rovers 3-2 Deeping Rangers Clarets

Man of the Match: Callum Cawthorn