Moormead FC hosted Epsom and Ewell Hoops this week in a entertaining and often nail biting encounter, winning 5 -2 with goals from Sam, Miles (2) & Dilly (2).
The parakeets were signing in the park, perhaps excited with the matching colour of our new kit when we arrived for an early 9.30 start. Moormead began with some pulsating play pushing Epsom back towards their goal line, a good pass from Kiran across the box to James almost resulted in an early goal, and the pressure paid off when Sam marauded towards the goal from left midfield. HIs direct run lead to a shot which he put as wide as possible of Epsom’s impressive keeper which hit the post, and with Kiran frantically trying to get a touch for his first goal of the season (he swears he brushed it), it bounced along and finally over the line past the despairing keeper.
1 – 0 Moormead.
Epsom weren’t at the races, but they were thoroughbreds and started attacking. Moormead had to clear their lines again and again. “Epsom, you inspire me with your passing” shouted their coach. Their captain, Lorenzo, maybe inspired himself, got the ball on the right, cut inside halfway into the penalty area and calmly slotted the ball into the far corner. Great goal, even the Moormead dads couldn’t help clapping.
1 -1
Game on, the Hoops circled around, but when they broke through Teig and Ben were there to cover. Ben made some crucial interceptions, Teig was calm on the ball, playing it serenely out to William or Sam who were always available. The game was deadlocked, time for first round of subs. Miles came on and immediately grabbed the game by the scruff of the neck. He tried an audacious shot way outside the area and it dropped into the net perfectly, just underside the bar giving the keeper no chance.
2 -1 Moormead.
Still a long way to go, Moormead attacked, and their coach was concerned with the marking,. He raised a laugh, crying “come on Epsom, you can’t miss them in those colour shirts”. Epsom broke though a few times, but Alec covered his angles well. James helped out in defence crucially taking the ball away, but Moormead were at times just hoofing the ball clear. After the longest first half in u9 football ever, the ref finally found his whistle and blew for half time.
If Epsom and Ewell were behind in the football, they definitely won at half time hospitality. With Nick Leon lamenting the loss of half time oranges (more later) and seemingly vying to be the new hospitality manager, we only felt obliged to accept the offer of hot coffee, celebration sweets and biscuits from our visiting support. Very nice too, but we may need some advice on protocol.
The game restarted, and it returned to the to-ing and fro-ing of before, Mani was everywhere trying with all his skill and pace to get the ball forward, but it was James who slotted in Dilly down the left, he latched on to it, took one touch, then slotted it past the keeper.
3 -1 Moormead
The holes were starting to appear in the Hoops, and James and Dilly linked up again with a lovely dinked pass from James past the last defender, which gave Dilly time to turn and smash the ball past the diving keeper.
4 – 1 Moormead
The parakeets were flying and so were Moormead, a couple of looping shots from 20 yards tested the keeper again, but this time he managed to palm them on the bar or away. Epsom were sitting deep, Miles got the ball on the half way line, dribbled the ball all the way past what seemed the entire team, got into the penalty area, and shot on the move straight past the keeper to crown a fantastic run and an captains performance.
5 – 1 Moormead
All over? Not yet, but Moormead were unable to rub salt in Epsom’s wounds. They had some great individual players themselves, and their number 9 Ollie got put through with 30 yards to go. Despite having a good game with some great positional play, there was nothing Alec could do when Ollie dribbled round him to score.
5 – 2 Moormead
The ref blew, the team celebrated, and Dan remembered his oranges. Still, 4 wins out of 4 for the coach, best not let Brentford FC know.