Two in two

Not the greatest of prep for this game, Josh and Steven suffering from colds, Ollie still out and Kylan falling foul of a missing rugby post and hurting his ankle in the hole. Add to that Sy who was complaining of a sore tummy, thankfully it was just empty!
That being said we still had 3 subs on the bench and the squad is strong and big enough to cope with most things.
Kibworth were in the same boat, 4 first team defenders out and a keeper that had packed his bags the week before, so here we are, both teams with players missing but none the less able to to play.

The starting 11 - Sy in Goal, Harry RB, Melad LB, Joe CB and our skipper back in from the start this week to complete the backline.
The shuffled pack saw a few changes, Mozz RM, JB LM, JacobE DM, Alfie and JacobE CAMs with Phil up front.
On the bench was Shecaniah, Lewis, Reuben and Kylan.

The lads had a bit of a telling off before kick off as they were not at the races - missing kit, head in the clouds and mucking about, all the things that me and Steve love to see just before kickoff. The concern being that we always start slow and having 14 lads not at the races from kick off at this level, well you know we can come unstuck, so a short sharp shock from Steve hopefully did the trick.

It was a frenetic start, no composure, all action with the ball spending most of the time in the air. They caught us, we caught them and the game settled into a pattern for 10 odd minutes until we started to tick. Alfie and Jacob got JB into the game and Mozza was shaking off the rust out wide right and they were linking up well. Phil went through 1-on-1 and was close, we had a few more chances but the break came from a pen. It was JacobE that created the opening goal for JacobK with a looping ball into the box. JacobK got onto it, it looped up again and the keeper misjudged the flight as it dropped into the net.

Foxes 1 - 0
Goal - JacobK
Assist - JacobE

We started to turn the screw, Kibworth hit us on the break but we were all action with Joe "The Rash" enjoying his tussle with their forward. The next goal came not long after, this time JacobK was dancing through people and fell victim to a clumsy tackle, I can't recall the challenge, their bench seemed to think he made a meal of it, meh, he got up, dusted himself off and tucked it away.

Foxes 2 - 0
Pen - JacobK

We made a few changes before half time, Kylan coming on to test that ankle, Reuben having a run and Lewis looking to enter the fray on the right mid spot. Corners came thick and fast in the first half, the skipper being the man that ca,me closest on a few occassions with a header or two. It'll come Skip and when it does I think you'll bag a few.

HT
Foxes 2 - 0

I went looking for a missing match ball so Steve talked to the lads, made a few tweaks. The concern being that Kibworth would come flying out the blocks, it was 2 nil and they were dangerous and we needed to get that third goal to kill this, Shecaniah came on for JacobE and we set out to get this game done and dusted. They switched to two strikers, this pulled us about a bit, but good communication from Ethan with his backline and the midfield sorted that. Things were a little tense, Kibworth went close a few more times as we went looking for that third goal which duly came from a lovely JB through ball to JacobK which sprang the offside trap. The Kibworth keeper came rushing to the edge of the box but JacobK lifted the ball beautifully over the top, it floated into the top of the net to make it 3 nil, great pass and a great goal.

Foxes 3 - 0
Goal - JacobK
Assist - JB

We were soon to find out that you can't take anything for granted at this level, 3 nil down or not, Kibworth were still dangerous and with two up front they posed a threat as we got a bit ragged with the changes we were making. They broke, it ended up on the edge of our box with all hands trying to fight off the attack. Unfortunately a challenge went in and the ref blew for a pen.

Foxes 3 - 1
Pen - Kibworth

The next goal would decide this match. Yes we had a two goal lead, but if Kibworth got one back then the pressure would be on us, thankfully it was not to be. We had balls flying into the box, Mozza hd a great chance to make it 4 goals and bag his first goal in a while, but he hit the keeper from 6 yards out, never mind. We had switched Phil for JacobK up top and moved others around, that kept the pressure on which finally told with a cross into the box for JB to get his head on. Ner not quite as it was the keeper who got a decent fist to JBs head, he went down, the ref blew and we had another pen! He seemed out cold until Steve asked him if he was ok to take it, funny how quickly he sprang to his feet.

Foxes 4 - 1
Pen - JB

What we need to get better at is slowing the game down when we are winning. JacobK did it well, Sy is getting it, but the wingers need to leave the the throws to the fullbacks and the team needs to manage games. At this level its the little things that can make a big difference, the lads are getting that. It ended 4 - 1 and was a very good game against a spirited Kibworth side that were always in the fight, it won't be that easy in the away game. Well done boys, two wins in two, only two goals conceded and 7 scored with some very solid displays and good battling performances from the team as a whole. Next week its the cup and hopefully a few headaches with most being available.

Man of the match today was JacobK for a decent hat trick, the third was a thing of beauty, well done!

Thanks to;
Rakesh for ref'ing
Paul for running the line
Parents and my Samuel for finding balls and putting the goals away
Ollie and Craig for coming down to watch