Langold Dyscarr CS 3 – 1 Kingston Academy                                   15th November 2016

It was on a rapidly darkening Tuesday night that the boys of LDCS set off to their nearest rival’s ground. In the absence of floodlights, the game was hastily started at 3:20 with the boys donning luminescent orange bibs (just so Mr Hays could see them in the gloom!)

As per usual, Langold got off to a shaky start, mainly due to many of our players becoming confused with the different white lines on the pitch. Kingston played the ball right out on the wings of their adult sized pitch, working their way down the orange men’s flanks time and again. However, as the season has progressed, one thing has become clear more than any other: the quality of Warren Fagan has improved no end! He met every single challenge with great gusto, making sure he got the ball and that there was no danger to be seen behind him. This confidence in his actions led to Jayden matching his ability, also having his best match in Langold colours. Nevertheless, it was the boys in orange that struck first just after the 12-minute mark. The Langoldians attacked relentlessly with efforts from Ziggi, Alec and (most surprisingly) Curtis! However, Captain Fantastic stepped up (yet again) to net his 5^th goal of this year’s campaign with a scrappy ping-pong effort that beat the KIngston keeper. The goal seemed to relax Langold significantly, as they allowed Kingston back onto the attack time and again. The pressure put on the back was personified in Warren and Jayden chasing the speedy Kingston winger back towards their own net. After several tackles the danger was yet again dealt with. However, from the resulting corner, disaster struck. Langold suffered from their ‘set-piece-itus’, allowing the ball to travel into their box easily to leave a bewildered Will stranded. 3 seconds later, the half time whistle blew at 1 - 1.

Half way through the match and the boys were looking down, every one of them feeling that they should have gone into the final half leading. Mr Hays made 2 substitutions, bringing Logan on for Will and Kurt on for Curtis. The now famous Langold fire was stoked, as the ginger teacher told the boys to ‘remember Tuxford’ and their famous comeback victory.

The whistle blew and was met with Kieron leading the charge into the opposition half. He galvanised the rest of the team and set the example exactly how a good captain should. Both Kurt and Ronnie followed their captain’s lead by instantly rushing the Kingston defence. Langold had shot after shot but none found their mark; Ziggi played incredibly well on the right wing, causing a constant headache for his defender time and time again. Harrison was very streetwise with his play down the opposite wing, jinking in and out of tackles and working his way further into the attacking territory. At last though, the 2^nd Langold goal came from an unfortunate mistake in their opposition’s defence. A goal kick found its way to the feet of Kurt, who played in Ziggi who’s shot riffled through the air and into the corner of the net. 2 – 1 Langold.

The Kingstonians were rattled, and their play became more and more rushed as Langold smelt blood. Kieron to Ronnie, to Harrison, to Kurt, to Ziggi as flowing passing moves lit up the dusky night. More shots rained on the Kingston net as the screw was turned. Kieron then picked up the ball on the right wing, he looked up to find both Ziggi and Harrison unmarked in the box. His early cross in found its mark, travelling down the corridor of uncertainty straight onto Harrison’s waiting boot to volley home. 3 - 1.

With 7-minutes left, the game looked done and dusted. But the home side had other ideas, they proceeded to play an attacking formation to try and force some pressure on Langold themselves. The result ended in a one on one with Logan; the striker looked to place the ball inside the far post, but Logano stretched and cleared the danger with a well-judged arm.  This save immediately set Ziggi away, he out-sprinted the defence to leave himself one on one with the Kingston keeper. His first shot was saved with the leg; the rebound was saved with her arm! The game could have ended 7 or 8 -1 if it was not for this outstanding keeping! The final play of the match summed up the Langold style perfectly, a quick throw-in from Kieron to Harrison built into a quick 1:2 which ended in a first-time cross in to Ziggi who’s effort was saved!

It was a marvellous effort from the boys, who yet again showed that they can take their game to the next level when needed. However, the next match is against St Anne’s who are in the league above, so they need to be on their ‘A-game’ straight away!

Match Ratings:

Will – 6/10 – Didn’t have much to do today, he made sure that his defence was positioned correctly from all the set pieces faced. Was sadly left stranded with their goal. (Loses a mark for practising his catching of a football at 8pm inside his living room leaving a broken vase and an angry mum behind!)

Logan – 8/10 – Had two shots against him, one was tipped around the post and the other was the one on one which he showed his class in stopping. He looked very calm in goal as he always does; a very impressive performance.

Jayden – 7/10 – Showed excellent composure under pressure when he was being pressed, making the  correct decision to either pass down the line or put the ball out of play. Solid performance.

Warren – 10/10 – Man of the Match – An outstanding performance from Warren, he won tackles all over the field and looked so calm even when the attackers were running at him, or when he had the ball at his feet. This was easily the most impressive match that Warren has had.

Alec – 7/10 – A quiet game by his usual standards, he looked impressive going forwards and seemed to enjoy his new freedom in the  midfield as well. He always seemed to find his way to the edge of their box just at the right time.

Curtis – 7/10 – Showed excellent technical ability on the edge of the opponent’s box, taking the ball down on his chest but just shooting wide. Seems to have found a new position up front causing mischief with their defence.

Kurt – 8/10 – Great effort and enthusiasm from Kurt today, he hounded the Kingston defence and didn’t give them a moment’s rest. His hard work created the 2^nd goal for the team. Very impressive.

Kieron – 9/10 – What has become a customary standard of performance from the captain. The stand out moment was the fight and encouragement he put into his teammates at the start of the 2^nd half. His actions made the others wake up and follow him, a true leader!

Ronnie – 8/10 – A quiet game for Ronnie who drifted between striker and right midfielder, he provided plenty of opportunities for his team with his ingenious flicks and tricks. He always looked a threat when attacking and found Ziggi with some excellent passing.

Harrison – 8/10 – A smart game from Harrison, his defensive side came out today more than anything else. He looked relaxed and assured with his movements and decisions, but he still managed to bag his 4^th goal of the season with a well-placed volley!

Ziggi – 10/10 – Would have been the Man of the Match but was just pipped by Warren. He looked a class above the rest today, creating chances out of nothing and causing headaches for every one of the Kingston defenders. Deserved his goal and should have scored at least 2 more!