Brooklands 5’s arrived at the FIRS to play the more mature Sale 2’s team with a couple of debutants from the 6’s, the Lakin Halls and Ali C having been promoted.

The game started with the young team controlling the game from the start, using the width of the pitch to attack the Sale team down the flanks, and with the younger Lakin Hall setting the tempo from his deep lying position in the midfield, and the first goal came through a nice finish from Jonny D. A couple more chances came and went and then against the run of play, Sale equalised from a powerfully struck short corner.

Shortly before HT, the ball was fired into the D and the elder Lakin Hall swung and almost missed the chance, but with the ball nestling in the back of the net, and MLH celebrating the goal was given.

The second half, then became what was later described as a ‘war’, with the Sale team using their greater physical presence to cause the younger Brooklands side a few issues. With the weather deciding to turn and the rain teaming down, and the coach huddling in the dugout, only to find that it had no roof, the game became stretched and the lead only held due to a couple of fine saves from Evan M and a superb goal line clearance from the evergreen Guy M.

Brooklands continued to hit Sale on the counter attack creating a number of chances that weren’t taken, with Dan J having a shot cleared off the line.
The young team showed they were up to the fight, with Ali C, Archie M and Faysal F all defending to the end.
A great win against a more physical team, which will hopefully give the young team more confidence going forward.

Thanks to Ollie P and Dennis for umpiring.