Tesco Under 13 Cup
Elm Utd 1 – 3 Plymouth Kolts
On paper, this could quite easily have been billed the clash of the titans. Free scoring Elm were clearly the favourites leading into the game, with a perfect 11 game record within the DJM league, boasting 76 goals in all competitions. Kolts on the other hand, are the only team to have beaten them this season, with a 3-0 victory in the first round of the Under 13 Astor Cup, also boasting the best defensive record with just 14 conceded in 16 games, including having yet to concede in Cup football.
So with the stage impressively set, the two teams came together for the third time this season. On the morning of the game, it was a grey overcast day with a bitterly cold wind. The teams arrived at Wrigley’s at around 10:15, to a lush green pitch, which although small, was clearly up to the standard of the game about to be played.
Although we have a great set of players, the record that Elm hold is of great note when teams are preparing to play them. It is almost like they are already 1-0 up. I for one, was not ready to roll over and move aside for them, but getting the players in the same mindset was going to be difficult. In the car park, the boys were a little restless, and began telling jokes and talking about the night before. Where we normally encourage the lads to be social, on this occasion, I could not help but remember how poor we were the last time we played at Wrigley’s which was as a direct result of our poor focus at the beginning. Needless to say, the boys were reminded of this, and our focus was promptly resumed. I watched carefully for the boys reaction to my words, and I felt for the first time that we were in for a good day of football.
The warm up was a slow affair, with the cold wind causing us many problems in loosening off. As it was, we simply had to get going, and get through the mental barrier that the cold brings with it. The boys were a little sloppy, though focus and discipline was good, so we had no great concerns. In fact, the warm up seemed to be going far better than our opponents who seemed to spent very little time on doing so. The balance of the day seemed to be swinging our way. However, we were in danger of losing our hard work when the Elm coach came over and informed us that the referee had not arrived, leaving it up to a parent. This seemed a set back until it was announced which parent would be doing the honours. I was in no doubt that he was an honest person, who would referee the game fairly. Persuading the players to take this line proved far more difficult, until we told them to go and play as if we would not win one decision all day, that way if we did get one, it would be a bonus.
The first 10 minutes was a fairly even affair, with neither side producing any attacks of note. However, gradually, the away side began to control the middle of the park through some great high tempo defending and inventive link play from Parker, Bond and Dennan. Esmer then carved out an opening for Edwards, whose effort was superbly saved by the outstretched Jacobs in the Elm goal. The pressure continued, with Queen and Benney clearing up comfortably any breaks that the home side produced. In fact, such was the possession of the visitors, Kolts looked commanding and created a few good chances, before ever being tested themselves. However, not taking chances could have been a big problem for them, as Ellacott managed to break through the centre of the park chasing a long ball from Jacobs. In the end his one on one effort was weak and easily collected by Rickard, who gained his first touch of the ball.
This seemed to spur the young greens into life and when Aaron Johns won a massive header on the halfway line, striker Edwards chased down what looked to be a lost ball. His pressure though was enough to force Dunstone into a clearance, who lobbed the ‘keeper, putting his team 1-0 down. To be fair to the big centre back, he could do little else, as Edwards would surely have tucked the ball away nicely had he not intervened.
With Kolts already in the driving seat, the game was now glaringly one sided. In key areas all of the pitch, the visitors dominated proceedings. There was time in the first half for three excellent saves from Jacobs to prevent a bigger scoreline, touching one onto the post after being rounded by the energetic Edwards. However, the whistle did come, and not a moment too soon for the Elm side in desperate need of regrouping. At half time, the Kolts side were reminded not to take their foot off the pedal, after leading 1-0 at half time in 2 of the previous 3 games, and come away with a 1-1 draw in both. This though, was not an ordinary day. The team seemed invigorated at the thought of proving their worth as the best footballing team in the league. Their second half response could not have been better measured. In fact, it was probably their best performance wearing a Plymouth Kolts shirt.
We continued to dominate proceedings in all areas of the pitch, and were rewarded when Dennan doubled the sides lead within 5 minutes of the restart. Bond drove his side forward with a purposeful and direct run, before laying the ball off to Esmer, who’s effort was wonderfully saved by the stunning Jacobs. The ball dropped nicely to Dennan who drove his shot into the back of the net from just outside the area. 2-0 and the onslaught had started.
For the next 25 minutes, Elm had Jacobs to thank for pulling off wave after wave of heroics in the home sides goal. It is fair to say that he kept the game from being a double figures whitewash. Esmer could easily have had a hat trick, whilst Edwards and Parker were desperately unlucky not to have beaten him with one on ones. Neeves broke away from left back and sent his long range effort inch perfect towards the top corner, with Jacobs finding an extra inch in his gloves and tipping the effort over the bar. Bond and Benney also went close with headers from corners, but no one seemed able to beat the one man saviour in goal. And so it could have proved costly for the greens, when with just 3 minutes to go, Kolts pulled off captain Edwards who has worked tirelessly all game. Almost immediately Ellacott broke through from another long ball by the ‘keeper, and nestled a sweet scorcher into the back of the net to drag his side into the game. At 2-1, even with less than 3 remaining, it was sure to be a tense finish to what should have been a comfortable Kolts victory.
However, Moore had other ideas. From the kick off, Bond, who had torn strips off Carne at left back for most of the second half, sent in a stunning ball to the far post where Esmer struck the ball square at the ‘keeper. From the drop-down, Moore didn’t wait for the invitation or indeed the bounce, and struck his volley home right over the ‘keepers head and gifted his side a thoroughly deserved 3-1 win.
Whilst I have great respect for what Elm have achieved in the league this season, I am convinced that the better side won. Our football today was second to none, and we did everything but beat their ‘keeper more convincingly. I was pleased that the central midfield lads had a good understanding of each other today, and that our front play was so energetic. It must be said that I am certain Elm will go on to win the league, and deservedly so by the looks of it. No team can go 11 games with a perfect record and end up with nothing at the end of the season. I am firm believer in football that in the end you get what you deserve, and today was no different. We showed real character against a very good side, and it is pleasing to hear opposition coaches admit that their ‘keeper was the reason why with 3 minutes to go they were still in the game. To be fair, on the strength of what we saw, we did not need anyone to tell us how good we were, but it is always a great compliment nonetheless.
From a personal note, it was a great send off for me, having been offered a job in Kenya where I will be teaching for 6 months. This was to be my last game in charge, and what a perfect performance for it. I deliberately chose not to tell the players prior to the game, so to avoid them playing on emotion. Indeed this was a gamble well taken, and the players performed with great focus and discipline throughout. I wish the team luck in the rest of the Devon Cup games, and though there is still a long way to go, they surely have a great chance to go all the way, provided they produce performances like this one.