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Virtuoso · 12th May 2008, 23:53

Well done to the young lads tonight for a hard-fought victory in the final. First half belonged to Bolton on the whole, they're forwards out-muscled our defenders which meant that their long ball tactics worked a charm. However, a fantastic 25 yard free kick by Eagles and one or two other well crafted moments were the only times that we put their defence under pressure. Have to say, without Richard Eckersley we would have been 1 or 2 down at half time...that's how good he was. Making tackles all over the place, winning headers against players twice the size of him and giving more than anyone else for the shirt.

Second half began a bit scrappy from both sides, but the key man was Rodrigo whose steadying influence in the centre of midfield gave our more attacking players a much needed boost in confidence as we kept better possession and our attacks had a fluency which was lacking in the first half. Rodrigo was playing passes long and short to feet as well as holding onto and shielding the ball in a manner which is incredible for one so young. Eckersley was still the main man at the back but now Welbeck was beginning to get into his stride. Welbeck was immense at times; winning possession, defending from the front, taking on players, bringing others into the game and his shooting accuracy was superb.

Our first goal came through good play down the right had side by Michael Barnes who was non-existent for large parts of the match but came to life at the end. Welbeck finished clinically first time on the slide into the far corner to give us the lead with 10 mins left. As the game progressed, we got lucky at times as Bolton really could and should have scored at least one goal were it not for some heroic defending and goalkeeping. Rodrigo's goal came after good work by him and then a bit of a scrap in the box but he finished brilliantly with a left-foot volley across the keeper.

Overall, could have went either way but well done to our players for really fighting when need be and then showing the necessary quality to come through victorious in the end. The 3 outstanding players made up the spine of the side which was crucial; Eckersley, Rodrigo and Welbeck.

12th May 2008, 23:53	#24 (permalink)
Virtuoso Reserve Team Player Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: London, England Posts: 605	Well done to the young lads tonight for a hard-fought victory in the final. First half belonged to Bolton on the whole, they're forwards out-muscled our defenders which meant that their long ball tactics worked a charm. However, a fantastic 25 yard free kick by Eagles and one or two other well crafted moments were the only times that we put their defence under pressure. Have to say, without Richard Eckersley we would have been 1 or 2 down at half time...that's how good he was. Making tackles all over the place, winning headers against players twice the size of him and giving more than anyone else for the shirt. Second half began a bit scrappy from both sides, but the key man was Rodrigo whose steadying influence in the centre of midfield gave our more attacking players a much needed boost in confidence as we kept better possession and our attacks had a fluency which was lacking in the first half. Rodrigo was playing passes long and short to feet as well as holding onto and shielding the ball in a manner which is incredible for one so young. Eckersley was still the main man at the back but now Welbeck was beginning to get into his stride. Welbeck was immense at times; winning possession, defending from the front, taking on players, bringing others into the game and his shooting accuracy was superb. Our first goal came through good play down the right had side by Michael Barnes who was non-existent for large parts of the match but came to life at the end. Welbeck finished clinically first time on the slide into the far corner to give us the lead with 10 mins left. As the game progressed, we got lucky at times as Bolton really could and should have scored at least one goal were it not for some heroic defending and goalkeeping. Rodrigo's goal came after good work by him and then a bit of a scrap in the box but he finished brilliantly with a left-foot volley across the keeper. Overall, could have went either way but well done to our players for really fighting when need be and then showing the necessary quality to come through victorious in the end. The 3 outstanding players made up the spine of the side which was crucial; Eckersley, Rodrigo and Welbeck.