Broomfield 4s vs Winchmore Hill 7s
SAL Junior Div 4 North
05 October
Away vs Broomfield 4’s won 2-1
First of all it was our centenary year making today a special occasion for the club and players. This was one of those days you wanted to win and nothing else will do. Receiving our new kits also we wanted to bless them with a win.
This being our 3rd league game of the season and we’ve probably played the 3 teams already that are expected to challenge for the title this season.
Going into this game full of confidence after an emphatic team performance last week, the pre-game team talk was simple “do the easy things first and the rest will build during the game and not to be complacent after the week before.”
So with the game underway it wasn’t the prettiest to watch, rhythm for both teams always breaking down neither side could string together 5 or more passes. The game required just pure grit and determination.
We had the better chances in the first half restricting Broomfield to just a few shots and then it took an own goal to put us in front. A long throw from Sean Leahy into the penalty box and Tom Conlon trying to make contact but just missing his head and going over the defender and past the goalkeeper into the bottom corner.
With 15 minutes left in the first half after us taking the lead we still couldn’t get our rhythm but we didn’t forget the basics, work hard for each other and making it difficult for the opposition.
You could tell that this game will be decided by substitutes and our bench was strong with Jack Gaughan, Granit Tahirbegoli and Aren Hassan who are all able to get us back into the game.
But then with literally the last kick of the half Broomfield got through and it said 1-1 all over it but Iain Marshall made himself big and turned the shot over the crossbar keeping us in front for the 2nd half. Amazing save from himself.
So the 2nd half began and all 3 subs were on the pitch for us, but the same thing happened again we were just unable to get hold of the ball and they equalised. With all 3 players running their socks off for the team but just unable to get into the game, so giving Jack Gaughan (mini dembele) a breather and then bringing him back on, he had found his rhythm holding onto the ball making it difficult for the opposition to get it and waiting for his teammates to receive the ball off him. He was absolute class in the middle of the park.
Then Granit Tahirbegoli plays with his heart on his sleeve and battled for everything trying to turn the game over into our hands, and didn’t give up. And the unfortunate Aren Hassan (Youngblood) he really struggled trying to keep up so after been took off, a few choice of words on how to help the team get forward and get us going again he came back on with a point to prove.
For someone at such a young age who showed a maturity to being substituted and listened to the advice given him and he really did turn this game on its head when he came back on.
With 15 minutes left in the game we started to move the ball better and Aren was the catalyst doing things simple making sacrificing runs to make space for his teammates but then when he did get the ball playing the simple pass and dragging Broomfield out of position.
Then it came.. out 2nd goal of the game. Great passes being put together down the left hand side from our defenders and midfielders. And then a beautiful through ball for Aren down the left channel in which he then lofted a ball to the edge of the box on the right hand side completely surprising Broomfield.
Then up step’s Dave Vann shaping his body up like he was going to volley it but then fooling the defenders and taking an amazing touch to get the ball into the box then with an absolute gem of a shot into the bottom corner, leaving no chance for the keeper in the 85th minute.
With 5 minutes left in the game it really started to open up then all of a sudden Aren had did a beautiful peace of skill on the left cutting back in and shaping his body up to take the shot for the top corner and only being denied by the crossbar. And Younas Muluwerk with another great opportunity at the end also.
It was amazing to see from the sidelines this team playing on the front foot even with a few minutes to go. The character of this squad is always impressing me and I’m sure they are impressing each other also, bringing the best out of each other and wanting to be competitive in every game.
Great performance from everyone in the team especially in defence but the M.O.T.M
Was definitely Dave Vann for his constant work in the midfield and then showing hard work pays with our winner in the 85th minute and what a way to win a game.
Congratulations to the team for a tough performance and also to the club celebrating a 100 years #weareWinchmorehill