Burbage & Huncote v Ellistown FC

A performance the 11 who pulled on the shirt today should be proud of.

Late withdrawals day before and 90 mins before kick-off and players not turning up after confirming they would meant town went into the game with 11 players with majority playing out of position.

Therefore, to come out of a game with a draw and knowing they had been the better team is a credit to the players and management team.

On a windy day and playing up hill in the 1st half, it was town who settled first and were happy pinging the ball around, with new signings Mason Williams and Edgars Nikolajevs settling in well and Captain, Leader, Legend George Houghton-Clark driving the team forward.

Up front, Adam Ward starting his 1st 90 mins for town played out of his skin and showed with his intelligent one touch play mixed with a battering ram attitude he can play. Well done mate for stepping up.

As usual Ben and James Warren battling qualities shone through as they buzzed around midfield and the right side of defence.

Talking about the defence, Ethan Fox was 1st class as Left Full-Back and Torin Harkin deserves a big pat on the back for playing as a central defender when that’s not his natural position.

Ben Little and Ollie Evans were a constant threat up-front, and their link-up play was impressive.

Credit goes to our management team of Nick, Phil, Ash supported by Dennis who managed to drill into the team the importance of positional play and ensured they never fell into the trap of previous games of sitting too deep in the 2nd half, therefore giving the opposing team the upper hand.

You could see the players responding to the sideline instructions and we were clicking.

It was no surprise when town took the lead on 13 mins when Ben Little volleyed home from 25 yards to put town in the lead.

BH 0-1 EFC 13 mins

The lead lasted 12 minutes as Burbage took advantage of playing down the hill to capitalize on space in the box to score through Cameron Atkinson.

BH 1-1 EFC 25 mins

Previous town sides at this point would have had a mad 10 mins, but not today as the lads went toe to toe with Burbage.

This led to an open game, and we were indebted to Max Alford for keeping us in the game through some world class saves.

Half-Time whistle went with the game delicately balanced.

BH 1-1 EFC HT

With town playing down the hill in the 2nd half, it was key we kept the ball on the floor and pushed Burbage back. This we struggled to do, and it was Burbage who had the better of the opening exchanges and took the lead on 65 mins through a James Graham Penalty.

BH 2-1 EFC 65 mins

Now the lads got it, as they went on the front foot, played some great football, and camped Burbage in their own half.

We got our award on 75 mins when a superb attacking move allowed Mason Williams to slip in Ethan Fox who made no mistake from 10 yards.

BH 2-2 EFC 75 mins

Only one team was going to win this based on possession, but games are not won on possession they are won by scoring goals and great goal line defending and superb saves from Max Alford ensured we kept Burbage out and only a freak set of events stopped Adam Ward scoring from close range and Mason tapping home.

Town were playing the football and Burbage were happy to play on the break. With the advantage of 4 subs on the pitch, Burbage should have won the fitness game but no, our lads worked even harder to find the winner, but the clock beat us, and the game finished all square at 2-2.

BH 2 EFC 2 FT

Summary

What an impressive performance from the lads. We are proud of you. Special callouts go to joint Man Of Match, Goalie Max Alford and centre forward Adam Ward who only knew he was playing 20 mins before the game.

We need to take this determination into next week's training sessions and Saturday's local derby v Desford.

Have a good weekend lads, you deserve it.