March SS 1-4 Clarets

U13 March Soccer School Vs U13 DRFC Clarets, Kick off 10:30, Westwood School March

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

Result: March SS 1–4 Clarets

March Soccer School began the proceedings shortly after the formalities of the fair play handshake. The Clarets going into this game was expecting and prepared for a closer and more physical encounter as March have had some impressive results, only losing one game from their previous five, putting them just three points behind the Clarets in this top of the table clash.
The referee after briefing both teams started the game.

During the early exchanges neither team could put their stamp on the game, therefore the game for a considerable time remained unsettled.

During those exchanges battles started to appear across the pitch, particularly in defence where it had to be said March were beginning to take hold, the Clarets defence of Callum Cawthorn, George Cushen and Isaac Fleming definitely were able to handle anything the March SS attack had in their arsenal.

Dan Malcolmson in central midfield, now began to insert some dominance over the midfield being able to bring team mates James Russell and Sam bell into the game.

13 minutes in when the Clarets started to dominate possession, it was this that led to the first real attack on goal with Ewan McCracken shooting wide of the March SS upright.

It was the 15th minute when the first breakthrough happened and it fell to the Clarets, Owen Jacob through on goal after receiving a pass from Dan Malcolmson, only to be upended inside the March SS penalty area.

The referee immediately blew for a penalty.

Ewan McCracken stepped up to take the penalty. With precision and power, leaving the March keeper, no chance, the ball rested in the back of the net, 0-1 Clarets.

A few minutes later around the 18th minute mark the Clarets fpoind themselves on the next attack and awarded a corner for their efforts, the floated in by James Russell only for the March defence to clear and begin their attack.

On 20mins the referee blew for a foul committed by George Cushen on the left side of play. The Clarets organised themselves well and dealt with the corner well, the Clarets really dominating the play as the first half came to an end. Score 0-1 Clarets.

With no changes being made, the Clarets started the second half, and straight away attacking down the right wing towards the March goal, March dealt with the attack really well and cleared their lines.

8 minutes into the second half Ewan McCracken from the left side of the pitch seized on a loose ball, cutting in seeing the March keeper off his line hit the ball goal-bound, the ball flew over the top of the March keeper and entered the goal at the top left corner, by far the goal of the game, 0-2 Clarets.

It was on 10mins that the Clarets made some changes, Matt Holland for Isaac Fleming and Joe Goldsmith on for Owen Jacob.
There were strong tackles across all parts of the pitch as March SS tried to make in-roads into the Clarets half. The Clarets stood up well and on one occasion the cross bar coming to their help.

Unfortunately on the 20 minute mark, Dan Malcolmson was upended in the midfield, which led to a yellow card for the March SS player.

The Clarets not resting on their laurels pressing ahead for the win, they get their just rewards on 23 minutes as Dan Malcolmson fed a pass through to James Russell down the right, James shot rebound off the keeper and from the centre of the area Joe Goldsmith shot beat the keeper, goal. 0-3 Clarets.

With 9 minutes to go March SS got their consolation goal as an attack from the left side of midfield a pass slid over the grass and over the foot of Matt Holland who was mid challenge leaving the March striker one on one with the Nat Manders Jones, unlike past games Nat didn’t win this one as the ball was slotted past him and into the Clarets net, goal March SS 1–3 Clarets.

Within 60 seconds of the goal conceded by the Clarets they were again on the attack, Sam Bell turned the ball onto Dan Malcolmson who spread the play right to James Russell. James took the opportunity to shoot as the March SS defence opened up, the goalkeeper spilled the shot as Ewan McCracken was on hand to secure the three points and his hat-trick. Goal March SS 1-4 Clarets.

The wind now completely taken out of the sails of March SS, the Clarets conducted business well and secured their sixth win of the 14/15 season. The referee ended the game. Final score March SS 1-4 Clarets.

Man of the Match: Ewan McCracken