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Posted on February 6th 2023
HBAED 2 - 0 Walworth Academy
Match report by Muhammed S, Year 9.
On a bright Friday afternoon, the pitch was in perfect condition and the boys were primed for this Year 9 fixture against Walworth Academy.
After being knocked out early last year, we had unfinished business in this cup and wanted to advance. After a quick warm up and a main tactic of aggression, the boys started the match.
From the start of the match, the boys pushed, winning the first and second balls allowing Walworth no space to breathe and no time to move the ball. The domination had begun with our captain Joseph M putting on an exemplary display sending many deft balls over the defence splitting the heart of the Walworth defence.
It was this exact move that led to our first big chance as Joseph split the defence and Charlie latched onto the ball, taking it past his man and forcing the goalkeeper into a world class save. Another chance again fell to Charlie after Joseph split the defence time and time again with Charlie curling his effort just shy of the post. Harris should have been up but there was time for persistence. The remainder of the first half continued in similar fashion until Shai picked up the ball and played it to Olu who beat two players and smashed his effort into the back of the net. 1-0. Harris had reaped the rewards of the hard work.
First two changes then occurred: Alassane on for Shakih and Keshaun our new debutant on for Charlie.
Excellent defending
Harris kept on pressing with Walworth having one shot on target due to the excellence in defending from Harrison and Theo K. Shai kept on driving at the Walworth defence and his constant switching positions with Olu was baffling the Walworth defence. Osbert hadn't been put to work much and had kept his clean sheet now it was Joel's turn. The second half started with two changes Muhammed S on for Osbert with Joel reclaiming his position in goal and Sean off for Henry.
The second half started in a different fashion as Walworth started building momentum. A ball over the top put the Walworth striker through on goal and it seemed like they were going to pull one back until Theo K put in a great slide tackle to stop him dead in his tracks, What a tackle!
A few minutes later, Shakih was brought back on with Charlie also returning with both Alassane and Keshaun making way for them. Another chance fell to the hands of Harris. Muhammed won the ball from the Walworth winger high up the field and squared it to Shai whose shot sailed into the hands of the keeper. Unlucky. After another defence splitting ball from Joseph, one of the Walworth players handballed, giving Harris a chance to extend the lead.
Rock in midfield
Shai stood over the penalty and nursing an ankle injury took three tentative steps shot and was denied by the Walworth keeper. The game then ensued with Theo K and Harrison clearing the ball many times and with Joseph and Henry being the rock of the midfield. After a lovely challenge from Muhammed S, he then played the ball to Charlie. Charlie looked up, beat his man and pinged the ball into the darting run of Shakih who latched onto the ball. Shakih superbly rounded the keeper and rustled it into the top corner. 2-0!
There was a sense of calmness amongst the team and after some heroic defending from Muhammed S, Joshua, Theo K and Harrison the game ended 2-0. Lovely performance from the boys who will look to go deep into the cup run. Special mention for MOTM Harrison and Theo K.
By Muhammed S, Year 9.
