Today the players and some parents travelled to Leicester to play a friendly against Enderby Town (our first ever game as a club / team). Enderby Town was a top Sunday morning team andthey had won the double the previous season, they also had 4 players who played in the MJPFL at the time.

We met at Harvey Haddon Stadium at 10am, some players turned up late so therefore we left late. We arrived at the Community Centre at 11.25am and parked our cars in the car park. We walked across the road about 100 yards to the pitch through a small alleyway.

The home team was already there and warming-up, the pitch / playing surface was in very good condition and the weather was dry and bright. As this was our first game, the manager had to decide on which players to play in which positions, We spent 20 minutes warming-up and 5 minutes talking to the players before kick-off.

The game was played over 3x25 minute quarters with a qualified referee, the Captain for today was Jarhed Russell. The manager began with a 4-4-2 formation and we started the game brightly and played confidently, the players passed the ball well and were dominant in most areas of the pitch. The players worked hard for each other and bossed most of the game and won most personal battles.

We scored in all three quarters, the first goal was scored in the 15th minute after excellent work by Ben, Jevin and Jarhed which saw a well taken left foot strike by Daniel Jackson, who played brilliantly all game in the three different position he was asked to play.

Jevin Seaton scored the second goal with another well-taken strike from the right side of the box with a low shot that went in off the foot of the post in the 12th minute of the 2nd quarter (37). After making changes to the midfield and the defence half way through the 2nd quarter, it left us a little unbalanced at the back.

Their goal came after good work down the right and a low cross into the box, the ball travelled across the box and was collected by one of their players who shot low to our goalkeepers left hand. Enderby had a few half chances throughout the game, including three free kicks on the edge of the 18-yard box.

Ashleigh Reid scored our 3rd goal in the 3rd quarter after Jordan Smikle took on 2 players in the box, he carved out a shooting opportunity for himself, which the goalkeeper saved, but Ashleigh was there to tap the ball home in the 15th minute of 3rd quarter (65).

I am especially pleased in the way the defence played, it was the first time these four players had played together and they equipped themselves brilliantly, Marco Ricci played as a sweeper and played very well, Anthony Griffith played at centre back only for the 2nd time and also played very well, Jerrelle Hatherley played at right back - not his usual position and did well. Sobban Allen played at his preferred left back position; he started well but struggled in the 2nd quarter. However, in the 3rd he was more consistent and played with more confidence & composure.

Our midfield of Ben Lake, Jarhed Russell (centre), Jevin Seaton (right) and Daniel Jackson (left) was very strong and dominant and played well together.

Every single player played well, they did themselves and the Club proud in our first ever game and I want to thank them for their efforts, I also want to congratulate them on their overall attitude before, during and after the game.

Our opponents today won the treble in the Leicester Sunday League last season, some of their players who played today play in the Midland Junior Premier League - so they are a strong and organised team and they showed that in some of their play throughout the game.

Final Score 3-1

Scorers: Daniel Jackson - 15min / Jevin Seaton - 37min / Ashleigh Reid - 65min

Man of the Match = The Team

Team:
Grant Vann (GK), Jerelle Hatherley, Anthony Griffith, Marco Ricci, Sobban Allen, Jevin Seaton, Ben Lake, Jahred Russell, Daniel Jackson, Jordan Smikle, Ashleigh Reid, Raheem Jermaine, Ben Wallace and Jordan Bancroft.