Pre-Season Friendly:
Thurs 02nd Sept - vs Irlam Rangers - KO 6:30pm @ Princess Park, Irlam

Match Report:
2 x 40 mins
Ref: ??

Starting Subs: Joe C, Alex, Olly, Sean

Our first and second friendlies went very well and with more players available tonight (15) we have plenty of options to bring fresh legs on.

1st 40 mins:
Irlam Rangers (IR) kick off, and within minutes Meds gain possession and attack. Joe B crosses the ball in but it's too high and over, IR GK. Meds attack, ball crossed in again, Jordan attempts to back heel the ball into the net but it's saved. IR attack, awarded a free kick, Rob saves comfortably. Meds attack, awarded free kick (hand ball) Lincoln takes, great shot, IR defender tries to clear only to see the ball loop into the net! OG, nah, Lincoln can have that one! 0-1. IR attack that breaks down due to good defending. Meds free kick, Jordan caught offside! IR attack, results in a corner. IR attack, another corner, Meds break away, Andy B shoots, it's saved! IR free kick ends up as a Meds GK. meds attack, Joe B shoots, it's saved. IR attack, corner that is well defended. Meds attack, Meds corner, 5 x headers ball pinged about like ping pongy thing, Jordan finally heads the ball home to make it 0-2. IR kick off, Meds win the ball and attack, ends up as an IR GK. Meds attack, caught offside. ANother Meds attack, caught offside again! IR attack, they shoot, Rob saves! Another IR attack, good strike on goal, it's headed for the top corner and Rob gets his hand to it for an IR corner. Not long after the corner is taken, the half time whistle is blown.
Half Time: 0-2

Team talk given, the lads look 'sad faced' yet they are winning! Maybe because IR are giving us a good game and are not willing to roll over and give up which means we have to work harder! Let's see what a few fresh legs will do.

Subs for the start of the 2nd half: Dom (injury), Jordan, Joe T, Ryan

2nd 40 Mins:
Meds attack straight away, some lovely pass and move football, Joe B shoots, it's saved! Meds attack, caught offside. IR attack, Rob gathers the loose ball up. Meds attack, this time with some pace down the wing, Eddie sends a good crossed ball in, and Olly is there to tap it home! 0-3. IR attack, Meds goal kick. Meds attack, Joe C crosses the ball in, IR keeper gathers the ball. Meds attack, Olly crosses the ball in, IR keeper gathers the ball. IR attack, they shoot, it's cleared high for an IR corner which is saved by Rob. IR corner again, breaks down. IR attack, Meds defend well. IR attack, Rob gathers the ball up. IR attack, shot misses, Meds GK. Meds attack, Joe T shoots, IR keeper palms it out, Andy B is there for the rebound tap in! 0-4. End to end football, Meds break, Alex shoots, IR keeper saves. Meds attack, again with pace, Ryan crosses the ball in, Jo C with a great header but it's saved! Meds attack, Jo C cross is mishit, IR goal kick. Meds attack, Eddie shoots, it's saved. Meds attack, Olly shoots, the ball is saved, defender tries to clear (with hand!) but the ball ends up in the net (should have been a hand ball/penalty but we will take the goal!) 0-5. Meds attack, Nico shoots a bullet! IR keeper saves! Meds attack, Lincoln shoots wide, Jordan is there to trap the ball, Jordan shoots, IR block, corner. Corner taken, Jordan header but too high. IR attack, 3 x corners, from the last corner a shot comes in, Rob saves for another corner! Last corner of the game, IR take, a few headers and IR win a consolation goal right in the last minute! Rob gutted another clean sheet gone! Rob in that fading light, I was surprised you could see the ball! Final whistle blown.
Full Time: 1-5

Another great team performance, everyone deserves a pat on the back. Good team work, team communication is certainly improving, everyone worked very hard against a good Irlam Rangers team. IR close down the opposition very quickly so you are not allowed much time on the ball. Once again, our defenders were solid and Rob made some great saves. A much harder test this Sunday, against Meds U16s so get some rest, look after any injuries, and look forward to a tough friendly that neither team will want to lose!