Hasland CFC U18s - Barlborough FC

Under 15s

Everybody loves a good cup weekend and we are no different.  It was very much a David v Golliath task for our Hasland lads today as we went up against a very good Barlborough side currently 3rd in the top division.  

This didn't stop us going into this game with confidence following a recent run of good results however we knew we had to adapt our approach.  The opening exchanges were quite equal but we could sense the danger men that Barlborough had at their disposal. 

Nine minutes in saw the opening goal from a Barlorough corner scored by one of tallest teams we have played all season.  Now despite Hasland sticking to their game plan and matching Barborough for effort and energy levels we went on to concede three more before half time again all from set pieces. 

The half time team talk was very positive as we had done lots of good things apart from defending set pieces so that was our big ask for the second half.  Raise the energy levels and be committed when challenging corners etc.  The lads played even better in the second half and spent large parts of the game in the opposition half however conceded two more (one being from another corner) by the 64 minute.   

We did get the reward for some decent play with a free kick just outside the box on 71 minutes which captain Evan converted nicely.  It was a deserved goal.

Final score Hasland 1 - 6 Barlborough

There's no doubt the better team won however we are very proud of the shift the lads put in this morning and this gives us confidence that we can give teams from a higher division a good game of football.  Today's man of the match went to Ellis at centre back as he barely put a foot wrong today and his reading of the game was exceptional.  If we had defended the corners better today this match would have been a lot tighter than the result suggests. 

Well done lads, back to league duty again next week.