ProLife Kelburne Mens 5s Loose Out to Anchor Mens 2s - 29.10.16

Kelburne 5s home game against Anchor 2s was played at Linwood on Saturday with Kelburne losing 1-2 to Anchor. A couple of late alterations to the team with our midfield general Lucas Farndale being called up to the thirds and team captain Ian McIntyre making the trip to St Albans to support the U18`s Cougars squad meant that the youngsters had to step up to the plate with just 4 adult players included in the squad. The four adults consisting of Peter Robertson, Ewan Crawford, Willie Hunt and Aaron Primrose who has returned to the team after several weeks absence during which he has got married, been on honeymoon to Bali and acquired a hair band. Aarons presence up front along with his enthusiasm, fierce shot and great attitude with the youngsters have added a much needed cutting edge to the team. With most of the youngsters involved in the U15s game the night before, a few tired legs could have been expected but the 5`s got off to a good start against an older and more physical anchor side. Anchor took a 1-0 lead early in the first half but Kelburne did not let their heads go down and came back strongly to create several chances one of which led to a penalty corner award to Kelburne. A well worked corner caused confusion in the Anchor defense with the ball passed across the face of the goal and a touch from a Kelburne player deflecting the ball towards the goal causing an Anchor player to deliberately stop the ball with his foot. Up stepped recently married, Aaron Primrose to take the penalty but the penalty was well saved by the Anchor keeper. Within 5 minutes Kelburne won another penalty award with great play from Aaron Ohear who consistently throughout the game chased every 50-50 ball and never gave the Anchor defenders any opportunity to get any time on the ball. Up stepped Willie Hunt who put the penalty too central to the goal and allowed the Anchor keeper to make another save. Two opportunities missed seemed to ignite the Kelburne squad to greater efforts and soon after the second penalty a run from the right across the back line and pass across the face of the Anchor goal was met by Sam Hunt who scored his first goal for the 5s with an instinctive first time sweep giving the Anchor Keeper no chance. At this point it was all one way traffic with Kelburnes defence of Ewan Crawford who`s timing in the tackle was exemplary, the ageless Peter Robertson who`s reading of the game allowed him to soak up the Anchor attacks and Scott Peters who week after week shows great skill and tenacity in the tackle for a player of his age.

The half finished at 1-1 with Anchor shell shocked from the barrage of attacks they had suffered and feeling fortunate that the game was still level. In the second half Anchor took the lead against the run of play when a great tackle was put in by Ewan on an Anchor forward who subsequently kicked the ball with his foot which was missed by both umpires and allowed the ball to run through to the Kelburne D for Anchor to score their second and winning goal. Again Kelburne responded magnificently with the last 15 minutes of the second half spent almost entirely in the Anchor half with chance after chance being created but with no outcome. Anchor walked off the pitch knowing that they had been fortunate to take the 3 points and the Kelburne squad desperately disappointed but with their heads held high after one of their best performances of the season, there is no doubt that the goals and results will start to go Kelburnes way in the games to come. Forwards Great shift from Calum Stewart, Calum Brown, Aaron Ohear, Aaron Primrose and Jack Nelson Midfield Strong running and link up play from Rory Semple, Rory McNeil, Fergus Noble and Ryan McCormack Defense Committed and strong defense from Ewan Crawford, Peter Robertson, Scott Peters Goal Keeper Matthew Retson who is maturing and proving to be a reliable shot stopper.

Thanks to all the parents and friends who came to watch the match – great to have your support each week.

Next game is away to Clydesdale 4s at Titwood, pushback time to be confirmed