Wednesday 18 March 2020

U14s Semi Final V Mellor

Its been some time (and might be some time until the next one) since I last put my thoughts down on a lacrosse match, and whilst I wish I was reporting on a great victory it wasn't to be.
Being around this team for as long as I have, we know during the season the games to look forward to are those close affairs against Mellor, and as often been the case in recent years a semi final game against Mellor is a common occurrence, and usually we end up on the wrong side of the result.  Today wasn't any different, and in close games you really need to get off to a good start, and show how we can play on the front foot, as opposed to chasing the game right from the off.  That's exactly what we were doing today, with Mellor scoring straight from the Face, 20 seconds gone 1 down. By the end of the first, we were 4-2 down with a couple of good strikes from Hugo and George keeping us in it.  Q2 was an even quarter, with a goal a-piece (Jacob finding the net), and I found myself constantly saying we need the next goal, and a little bit of momentum, but it just didn't happen.
Q3 felt like everything was slipping away, with good pressure in the Mellor half, only benefiting Mellor as a missed opportunity resulted in a fast break and an opportunity for them to score, and this was a 4-1 (Hugo) quarter to Mellor, and as we enter the 4th quarter we were trailing by 4, 8-4 and even any optimists amongst us thought that it was all over.
To the credit of the players, they kept on in there, scored quickly and precisely on a couple of occasions and belief crept back in, and we might get something.  3 strikes brought us to within 1, and then Mellor extended it back to 2, and another couple brought us to within 1.  We still had opportunities but its all about precision in front of goal, and with another day of missed opportunities (27 shots in total), we got pipped by 1.  5 -1 final quarter to Stockport (2 x Jacob, 1 George and 2 x Luca)
Analysis after the game, makes we wonder why?  Was it the astro? The early start?  Miss of key players?  Unfortunately on the day, we just got beat by a better team who for 3 quarters of the game wanted it a little more than us.  When we did get into the game, we just didn't have long enough to bring it back.
This all being said, it might be some time until we play again, and I want to make sure all our players, players families and lacrosse friends stay safe and well.  Lets get through these difficult times, and be stronger next year.

All photos taken on Flickr Click Here

Worked all game at both ends of the pitch

A Couple of good goals today

Always a threat with the ball

Got into the game late on today






Q2, Q3 and Q4 was trying to drive his team forward

Explaining the Rules to the Ref






A defeat always hurts this man

Being consoled by friends

Consoled by the opposition

Consoled by the Manager
And Family

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