Holmes Chapel v Macclesfield Saints
Saints travelled the short journey today with renewed confidence after last weeks fantastic win. Saints gk Joe was missing today so Jamie Dook stood in. Could saints make it a back to back win!?
Saints first chance came very early in the game with a long ball from Sam to Jack who won a corner the ball was sent in the box Jack shot but keeper held.
HC fought back and kept Saints defenders busy a scramble in the box led to James clearing a very dangerous shot on goal, giving HC a corner the ball was sent in but luckily for Saints a foul was awarded to Jamie in goal. Saints needed to calm down and take stock they were panicking in the box and not clearing dangerous balls well.
Jack B made some excellent tackles but HC were becoming the better side, they missed the target when a shot went over the crossbar.
Liam used his body and strength chasing every ball and made some excellent challenges, he made an excellent run through the field found Jack who was unlucky to be caught offside.
HC were still causing trouble for Saints and they were finding it hard to play their own game .
James cleared a very important ball for HC giving them a corner, HC hit the crossbar and the ball was cleared away by Edward. Against the run of play Jack took the ball all the way down the wing went to cross the ball in and was caught in the box, a penalty was awarded, Jack took the penalty calmly and put the ball away.
HC responded with a shot which Edward cleared then came back again and Jamie pushed away helped on by Mike. defending difficulties soon led to HC equalising. HC were applying pressure and Saints were not coping well despite Josh blocking a strong shot a skilled back header from HC hit the back of the net again.
Saints were struggling they weren't passing and working like a team. However a goal from mike who's first shot was blocked hit the net with a second strike lifted team spirit.
Although HC looked more organised Saints were starting to fight back, James passed an excellent ball to Liam who's shot was held by the keeper. Mike was organising the back line as defensively we were improving.
HC took a goal kick and Josh calmly sent the ball ball thundering back in Jack took the keeper on to claim his second goal of the game.
HC kept coming back and Jamie continued to work for his team holding the ball well and sending long goal kicks up the pitch. Edward continued to clear dangerous balls time after time. Harry, Jack B and Louis continued to work hard for their team and cementing their place on the team.
H/T 3-2 up.
Second half
Saint started where they left off and a well timed ball from Louis found Jack who was lucky to be just offside. Minutes later Sam hit the crossbar and had a goal disallowed for offside. Saints were playing good football. passing the ball and teamwork was winning this game. Edward, Louis, Gerald passed the ball up the pitch to Sam who was fouled a free kick was awarded and Sam shot just wide. With not long left Saints were controlling the game Sam, Jack and Liam all had shots. Saints battled hard and won a corner Sam sent the ball in the box it was sent back out where a left footed Louis shot with his right foot to give Saints a bigger lead and score his debut goal for Saints, not content with his goal Louis helped jack get his hat-trick when some excellent well timed play involved them both and led to Jack hitting the net again.
Back to back wins for SAINTS well done boys.
MAN OF THE MATCH JACK B.
Thanks to Louise Wilson for the
above report.