Under 10 (Reds)

 For Map to game on 04/09/10 away at Vicars Cross (Oldfield Primary School), click here

Saturday 27th February

Vauxhall Zafiras 1  Malpas & District Reds 3

Harry Potter and his 8 wizarding pals get Malpas right back on track!!

I do not mind admitting that I had a good feeling about today's fixture following Friday night's training. The lads were right at it then, and it was what would be required to get a victory against a side who had not lost at home for nearly 6 months.

Malpas started brightly, for a change, and got some decent possession of the ball, sending forward marauders Tom Fenney, Iwan Nevitt & George Smith to put the Vauxhall back line under pressure. Moments later Callum "Harry Potter" (You'll understand the nickname later), Southall picked up the ball in a central area and began to come forward. He was not closed down quickly and sent in a low shot that crept into the bottom corner for a dream start. 1-0 and our tails were up.

Vauxhall's have been unbeaten at home for such a long time, and they forced the issue at the other end, with a physical presence up front. The Malpas backline of Alex Earl and Jack Wright stood firm and limited their opposition to half chances. When they did come on target, the Malpas 'keeper Thomas Jacks handled the ball brilliantly in very tricky goalmouth conditions.

The one noticeable thing about the Malpas team today was their work rate. Smith was tasked to chase down defenders, to see if he could pick their pockets and create himself a chance, and towards the end of the first half he did just that. He caught the Vauxhall defender dwelling on the ball slightly too long, and stole the ball away to slot a right foot finish across the 'keeper for a 2-0 lead. The considerable away support dared to dream that this could be our day.

Again, Vauxhall came looking for a goal that would turn the momentum their way, but Malpas were in no mood to surrender their position, and came in at half time 2-0 to the good.

Coaches Earl & Scott calmed the boys down at half time, and then demanded an increased workrate for the second half. Fenney, Nevitt and Smith had to wait for their chances on the counter attack when Vauxhall, as expected of any team at home, pushed for that elusive opener. Earl & Wright again were colossuses in defence, dealing with everything thrown at them.

It was from a Vauxhall corner that Malpas got their third. The ball dropped in the Malpas penalty area, and the crowd screamed for the ball to be cleared, nearly all losing their heads. But they hadn't banked on the coolness under pressure of Wright who dropped a shoulder twice to ghost past two opponents and played a defence splitting pass to Fenney who drove through the Vauxhall backline and thumped a shot into the bottom corner. 3-0, and we stopped dreaming and started believing!!

Now, back to Harry Potter. Southall had been involved in a great aerial tussle with his central midfield opponent, but this bit of sheer bravery gave the edge to the Malpas man. He put his head in, shall we say, where it hurts, and got a kick in the forehead for his trouble. The scar left on his forehead was reminiscent of- you've guessed it- the young wizard himself. Think this nickname might stick around, unlike the scar!!

Malpas introduced David Tute for a somewhat dazed Potter, sorry, Southall, and they continued to dig in for a clean sheet. Fenney also got a knock and was replaced in the latter stages by Luca Scott, who was to toenail away from putting in a juicy cross in for Nevitt to make it 4-0. Smith also broke away down the Malpas left and was very unlucky when he slid a great left footed cross in for it to be just turned behind by a Vauxhall defender.

You have to hand it to Vauxhall, as they never gave up and did get a goal with about 6 minutes to go to get the away support on the edge of their metaphorical seats again. Again, however, Malpas's counter attacking threat saw them force three late corners that nearly saw a fourth goal scored.

A parent mentioned to me that the Malpas team came of age today. I would absolutely agree as I am not sure many (or any), other teams will come away from Vauxhall's with three points this season. The work rate was superb, and they all stuck together like brothers.

We are back in the hunt for the top two, that is for sure.

MALPAS SCORERS: Harry Potter, George Smith and Tom Fenney

MALPAS MAN OF THE MATCH: Could have picked all 9 players, but for one piece of brilliance, it went to Jack Wright.