Match Report
21 September 201412:00:00
Under 12's Division 2 League Cup
Starting Line-up
Subs Used
![]()
It's in on time kickoff at 12 PM with Blaze playing right-to-left down the steep incline. Tiptree look up for this game but I don't think they've figured they literally have a mountain to climb - at least for the first half. The crowd is a little subdued so far - not as much of the chanting as Lee would like to create an "intimidating cauldron", but Ahmed is looking very threatening armed with his flag. And Ahmed is straight into action with an offside as Tiptree are clearly through on goal – a borderline decision - well played Ahmed!
Five minutes in and Glaze are struggling to get out of their own half – then BAM the ball flashes over the bar - that was close! Two minutes later and it's a very rare mistake from Jack, leading to another shot – wide again. Blaze are really riding their luck here.
Luke gets his first touch of the ball but in an instant Tiptree are back on the attack and it takes a diving save from Tom to clear the trouble. Now there's a second ball on the pitch - maybe Blaze can score with that one, but no ... it's been cleared!
Tom gets a nice through ball but Tiptree are quick to snuff that out. They obviously make more than just great jam in Tiptree and it's Blaze who are finding the going sticky (Ed - better word-play please!)
Suddenly it's all Blaze! Good pressing from Aaron, and a lovely through ball from Jack sees Tom through on goal - and unbelievably he kicks it with his left foot! Even more amazing – he makes contact! It draws a save from the keeper which Luke nearly scrambles into the net - come on Blaze!
Now after some handy defensive work by Scott, Olly is making a trademark charge down the left. The crowd are on their feet (there are no chairs) and to cries of "On yer sel big man!" (luckily I have turned my dictation device off) he shoulder-charges his way to the byline.
Minutes later and a lovely cross from Ollie puts the ball on a plate for Luke - on this occasion it doesn't look appetising enough and he decides to wait for dessert!
The Tiptree keeper with his mane of blonde hair looks just like the Great Dane himself - unfortunately he takes his clearances like a poodle so it's red pressure again!
I swear that boy Jack has a teleport, by the way – wherever Tiptree pass the ball he's there again, popping up like Kato in the Pink Panther!
And the referee blows for half time – more of a piffle than a blow but we get the idea!
45 mins : Now Lee is ringing the changes at half-time, bringing on young Jack J and Jamie M (good genes that boy!) Aaron's genes take a bit of a hammering as he clocks one in the cobblers - but he's alright! And right away Jamie threads through a lovely ball to Luke ... but it's tidied up by Tiptree number two this time. And Luke has another chance, which he thrashes with a strong left foot – just wide - Blaze are getting close now ...
Tiptree put through a couple of long balls but Tom is out and returns them with interest. Meat and drink to the young jujitsu maestro. But this is more threatening: Tiptree are through on goal again – still, they haven't beaten Ahmed who spots the offside and it's a free kick to Blaze. This could've been a different story if we'd had Ian over there rolling one up at the crucial moments! Now Tom makes another run up the left and it's through to Luke - this time no mistake GOAAAAAAAAAAAAAL BLAZE! 1-0 Well-deserved.
Now there's a lucky break - just as Tiptree are about to break the ref signals for handball. Blaze continue the pressure with Tom seemingly everywhere and Jack and Luke both having shots on goal. They're making it look easy going uphill and gravity is just not playing the part Newton predicted in this game. But he got one of his laws right - and here's the equal and opposite reaction to the Broomfield goal as Tiptree press for a corner - an ambitious overhead kick, not quite worthy of Rooney or Berbatov, goes over the bar to safety.
But now they come again and the blues number 22 makes a neat turn past Jack J, who makes a cynical tackle to end the move – right out of his father's top drawer! But it's not enough and the free kick ends up with the ball scrambled into the net GOAL TIPTREE 1-1.
Now Lee is barking instructions like Alan Pardew – better hope none of the Tiptree players head over his way soon! And soon Luke is back on goal streaking through - but the number 2 (Mad) Max makes a crucial tackle -corner to Blaze.
It's back down the other half now - real end-to-end stuff this - and the blues seem to be away with it - but Ahmed and Omar combine for an offside to make it safe!
Here they come again and this time they're through on a completely open goal – Tom is off the pitch, checking his lunch box! But just in time Omar intersects, Tom puts his sandwich down and it's clear.
Then back up the other end (what did I say) and Jamie plays a lovely through ball, which the keeper spills and Luke nearly tucks away - OOOOOOH say the crowd (well the press section anyway).
Now Jack makes a fabulous, mazy run - some interplay with Tom - and the ball comes to Aaron only 2 feet from the goalmouth .. but it's agonizingly trapped and the keeper is there to save!
There is barely any time left and Broomfield are pressing hard - that Tiptree defence is looking shredded (any better on the marmalade gags Ed?) And that's it - the game is over and it's hard-fought 1-1 draw. Maybe Broomfield could have edged it but they will be pleased anyway - this is another game where they'd have been rolled over last year - but looking much, much stronger now. Plenty of meat in the sandwich for these boys, even against Tiptree's finest jam-boys!