A beautiful day for football and our first game at Shipley since the cup match back in Early October.

We have only just played Peacehaven at their ground 3 weeks back and a 10 minute period in that game cost us. Today was a chance for the boys to put a stamp on the game and the season, show a bit of fight and see if they can finish the season strong.

We went out with a 4-4-2 due to some personnel changes needed due to injuries. Our back 5 consisted of Oliver in goal, Ethan came in at RB, Toby, Cam and Dean took up their usual spots. Midfield was a change up again with Harley out on the right, Lewis B on the left, Stan and Sam in the middle of the park. Up top Stephen and Kieron finished the line up with Freddie, Lewis G and Charlie completing the line up.

We needed to start strong and from Peacehaven's kick off, we won it back and pushed them back up the pitch however with just over a minute gone, their Left winger took down a long pass into his stride, cut inside and whipped a finish into the near post top corner. 0-1.

Not the start we wanted however we got ourselves back into the game a few minutes later. Peacehaven had a throw in down their right hand side and took it back towards their right back however Kieron nicked in front and beat him to the ball and drove towards the box. Peacehaven's keeper came out to close him down however Kieron played a great pass across into the middle for Stephen to tap into the back of the net from 16 yards out. 1-1.

The game was end to end at this point for the next 10 minutes before a quick 2 goals from a long ball and one from a corner put Peacehaven 1-3 up with 25 gone. At this point we lost Cam for the rest of the half with a knock and Stan with a bad sprain meaning Lewis G, Freddie and Charlie coming in and a shuffle needed. Charlie went into RB, Lewis B into the midfield and Lewis G out to the right hand side. while Freddie went up top for Stephen.
Peacehaven hit another 2 quickfire goals just on the 30 minute mark to go 1-5 ahead. Freddie popped a pass through to Kieron but a great last minute tackle stopped him getting his shot off.

We got another goal back just before the half with some great work down the right hand side. Charlie won the ball back and played it up the line to Harley who played some quick passes with Lewis B before beating his man and playing it inside to Lewis B. Lewis took the ball in his stride and cut inside onto his left foot before hitting a left footed curler into the top left hand corner past the keepers dive. 2-5.

HT - TD - 2 - PEACEHAVEN - 5

At the half the boys were frustrated and disappointed with how the half went, considering we were keeping Peacehaven to long balls over the top and letting them play the ball in their midfield with so much space, no one closing down. We made the one change with Stephen coming back in for Kieron to have a breather.

The second half become a real battle with both teams going for it. Peacehaven kept us pinned in for the first 10 minutes and were playing some great football while we were struggling to hold the ball up top and bring the midfield into the game.

It was level until 55 minutes when a long kick from the Peacehaven keeper stayed in on the right hand side and while our boys were convinced it went out for a throw, the peacehaven player played the whistle and drove with it all the way to the byline before cutting it back for a tap in. 2-6.

Cam came into the midfield with Lewis B as Sam had a knock and needed to come off. Kieron came back on for Freddie and went up top with Stephen. We started to get a bit of joy down the wings with Lewis G, Stephen and Dean linking up well down the left and Charlie & Harley working well down the right. Stephen flashed a few crosses into the middle but no luck in the box. Harley also popped one over but it was delt with well.

Peacehaven got another on the counter to make it 2-7 but the boys kept going and with 12 minutes left, we got one back with a penalty. Harley had won the ball and played a quick 1-2 with Cam before driving into the box. The peacehaven defender came across and cleared the ball however the chasing midfielder caught Harley late from behind and a penalty was given despite protests.

Stephen stepped up and put the ball into the top left corner for 3-7.

Both teams went for it in the final 10 but both defense's held strong with Cam pulling off a goal line clearance, Dean pulling off a fantastic block, Toby and Ethan both stopping goal bound shots. We had a few chances in the final minutes however that would be it for both teams.

FT- TD - 3 - PEACEHAVEN - 7

A tough day at the office for the boys, players in unusual positions, working hard but Peacehaven had that cutting edge. It shows why they are top of the league and likely to win the title.

The boys battled so well today, Toby, Ethan, Dean & Sam just to name a few. Everyone gave it their all for the full 80 minutes.

POTM - A joint POTM today with Both Dean R and Ethan P receiving the same amount of votes - Both players were playing their heart out in defence today, battling and getting in some important blocks and tackles.