A slight break in the wintery weather allowed the boys to stretch their legs away to Hove Rivervale. Illness and injury saw two seriously depleted sides, but it would be a good day for both 'A's & 'B's.
The 'A's
Joe W. [GK], Sunny, Rhys, Nathan, Alfie, Bill and Joe G. took to a bobbly pitch that was bound to test their normal passing game. Strikers looked to attack down the left wing with Rhys breaking from defence and linking up with Joe G. to get an early corner; the resulting ball allowing Nathan to skim the shot just to the right hand side of the post. Rivervale responded but Sunny was equal to the semi-onslaught with magnificently cool defending; a real feature of his game these days. The Near Legendary Bill was soon off on one of his blasts down the wing, cutting inside to force a death defying save from the Rivervale keeper.
The hosts were soon pressing again and Rhys put in an early bid for Man of the Match with brave and intelligent defending. Calm midfield play by Nathan allowed ASC to re-group. Alfie set off on a run from well inside his own half, only to be stifled by the Rivervale defence; it took two of 'em to stop him though. Joe W. displayed a very safe pair of hands from a Rivervale corner and saw an opportunity for the break. His drop-kick to Nathan allowed the latter to skim a ball across to Bill who took it on his left foot; just wide. A great end to a compelling first half.
Half time: Rivervale 0 Strikers 0
It carried on being a case of 'first to blink' in the second half. NLB saw a chance for another mazy run after some great interplay with Joe. G.; his resultant shot going just wide. Alfie was always looking to cause the Rivervale defence problems but they were always equal to it. Things started to get a touch 'niggly' in midfield but it was mainly ASC all the way in the early exchanges; a stunning shot by Alfie only just wide on the left. Rivervale seemed switched on to Alfie's threat and conspired to pole-axe him [nothing malicious, just poorly timed].
Rivervale then began to exert pressure of their own and managed to get a free kick just on the edge of the ASC box. Joe W. was more than equal to the powerful shot. Confidence was now up as Strikers put in some lovely passing moves and looked really promising for the first goal.
Of course, the best laid plans etc.; Rivervale found themselves in the ASC box and against the run of play scrambled a soft ball into the back of the ASC net. Rivervale 1 ASC 0
Things were soon on an even keel, however. Nathan's run and resultant shot forcing the Riverval keeper into another save. Rhys then saw the opportunity to go on an earth shattering sprint along the left wing. Wisely ignoring the screams of 'PASS!' from the Mums and Dads on the touchline he hammered the ball into the roof of the Rivervale net. It looked a bit like this:
Interviewed afterward the fiery winger said "The game was pretty good and my goal was cracking; I smashed it into the top corner."
Couldn't have put it better myself, Rhys.
Emboldened, the boys didn't look back and although they were unable to capitalise on their superiority they left the pitch that day in the knowledge that great things are just around the corner
Full time: Hove Rivervale 1 ASC Strikers 1
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The 'B's
Once again the 'B's took heart from the performance of the 'A's. Joe G. [GK], Matt S., Sunny, Joe W., Fraser, NLB, Alfie & Jordan were well up for it. So much so that for the first few minutes they forgot to pass to each other :-) - once this minor oversight had been addressed, we were rewarded with a marvellous display. Fraser and Alfie linking up well and causing all sorts of problems for the Rivervale defence. Joe W. forced the opponent's keeper to make a stunning save as he 'zinged' a shot in from the edge of the box. The pressure stayed on and early in the first half Strikers were rewarded for their efforts as Fraser slotted home a corker. Rivervale 0 ASC 1
The Rivervale keeper was putting in a shout for their MotM as he kept out shot after shot. Alfie's low drive forcing a super human effort. Joe W. was on fire with a break from midfield and a left foot shot that only just missed it's target; really good to see the boys trying new things.
Fraser joined in the fun with a fine shot which inspired Joe W. to emulate his effort - both just wide. Even Sunny joined in from the back of midfield - here he is with a blinding effort that went just wide:
The Rivervale No.14 reciprocated with a fantastic touch on the ball but Sunny showed great awareness in defence to stifle the developing attack. Joe W. finished off the first half with a great shot across the face of the goal. The boys were buzzing.
Half time: Rivervale 0 Strikers 1
As you were for the start of the second half; with his confidence full to the brim, Joe W. turned the Rivervale defence inside out with Cruyff-like arrogance [see Fin's 'Cruyff Turn Vid']. Jordan, always harrying the opposition, saw a blistering shot saved by the Rivervale keeper [again!]. Fraser and Rhys scared the heck out of the Rivervale rightbacks as they raced down the left touchline. It was only a matter of time before the renewed pressure would produce dividends and with great vision, Nathan spotted the keeper off his line and sailed the ball into the back of the empty net. Perfect. Rivervale 0 ASC 2
It didn't stop there. Jordan went just wide after coming out best in a 50:50 with the keeper. Sunny sent in a perfectly weighted cross that saw Nathan hit the underside of the bar and Alfie knock the ball just wide from the rebound. Joe W. earned his MotM award after another couple of splendid runs and shots.
And as the whistle blew, Rivervale congratulated their keeper who'd saved them from a rout. A fine display showing the true benefits of training and teamwork; ASC left the pitch to the contented murmurings of all around - 'Shoulda been six . . .'
Full time: Hove Rivervale 0 ASC Strikers 2
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