Saturday 28th February saw GSB U12 Boys play host to Arnold Town Blue at Sherwood Academy. The game was played on a very wet pitch which made standing up very difficult, never mind trying to play football.
The game started well for GSB as they pushed forwards and created a few chances but unfortunately they found themselves 1-0 down mid way through the first half when the ball was given away on the left hand side of our own box and the Arnold striker hit a shot with the outside of his right boot into the far corner.
GSB pushed forwards on numerous occasions and when James Abbott hit the inside of the near post only to see the ball shoot out to the opposite side of the pitch you felt it was going to be one of those days. However Asher Huffen picked up the loose ball and put in a great cross. Carter Pateman, one of the smallest players on the pitch, got himself some space in the box and rose to head the ball into the back of the net.
Half Time : GSB 1 Arnold Town 1
The second half was another even affair with the Arnold Town goalkeeper making some excellent saves. Firstly he denied Jacob Burley on two occasions, firstly a one on one and secondly an excellent push round the post when it looked like GSB had taken the lead.
With ten minutes to go GSB were awarded a free kick on the left hand side which Ahser Huffen hit with some great curl. It looked like it had beaten the keeper before he lifted his right arm behind his head and punched the ball over the cross bar. It summed up the day – so near yet so far away.
GSB continued to try and find the winner but Arnold pushed forward with 5 minutes to go when Ashton Graham passed the ball back to McKensie Withers in goal. Unfortunately McKensie was sliding on the floor and pushed the ball away with his hand and an indirect free kick was awarded. From this came a goal mouth scramble and Arnold put the ball in the back of the net to gain the advantage.
With just a minute left a long ball was played forward by Arnold and McKensie tried to clear the ball but sliced his effort which fell to an Arnold player who shot from outside the box high into the goal to make it 3-1 to Arnold.
Final Score: GSB 1 Arnold Town Blue 1
At the moment lady luck does not appear to be smiling on the team but I am sure the boys will come back stronger in two weeks time when the two teams face each other again in the quarter finals of the cup.
Man of the Match: James Abbott. James played on the left of midfield today and was up against a strong right back and right midfield player. He kept on going all the time and could easily have had a goal or two with a little more luck when he shot.
