Highfield 2 v 3 Lordshill - 19/03/2011 - Solent League 1
Lordshill travelled to a sunny Fleming Park for a match V Highfield. Matches against Highfield are always a feisty affair and Lordshill expected nothing but a tough match from them, as they are the defending league 1 champions.

Jose set the team up: Riki, Ross(C), Golding, Mark, Biggsy, Doc, Chancey, Mezza, Danny, John, Jamie b, with Dale and Ian T starting on the bench.

The team started well as each team tried to push forward early and create chances. As always. there were some strong tackles going in from both teams. It was good to see both teams putting good, solid, fair tackles with no complaints from either side.

AS expected both teams enjoyed their share of possession and thee was not much between the teams in the early stages.

Lordshill were starting to push Highfield back further into their half and were looking very dangerous from set plays down the right hand side, with everyone now remembering where their starting positions should be without thought. Well done gents.

Sure enough it was a set play down the right that created the first goal. A corner struck in from Chancey, with Ross rising like a phoenix from the flames to provide a bullet header into the onion bag. 1 - 0 Lordshill.

Highfield as always would not lie down and kept in the faces of Lordshill all over the park.

The new midfield with Danny, Mezza, Chancey and Doc was looking good and Lordshill were trying to play te ball through the midfield which was good to see.

John and Jamie were moving well up front and creating space for the midfield to play in. Danny took full advantage of this. Playing a quick one two, holding off a challenge and then letting one fly from 25 yards. The ball flew past the Highfield keeper, who caught a cold from the wind as it past him. SCORCHIO - Great goal, 2-0 Lordshill. Half time came soon after. Quick change with John coming off and Ian coming on.

As the second half started the message from Jose was lets get the next goal to help finish the match. Lordshill has for once listened and went after ighfield, pressing them all over the pitch. It wsn't long before Jmaie B picked the ball up at the edge of the Highfield box. He went one way, then the other, a twist here a twist there. It was like watching Messi. He worked his way into the Highfield 6 yard box with defenders grounded in his wake, before being taken out. Clear penalty, great run, deserved a goal. Ross stepped up to calmly slot the ball home from the spot. 3-0 Lordshill.

Quick change with Dale coming on for Doc

Fair play to Highfield, they didnt lie down and were trying to get back in the game. The ball broke down the right for them, their player provided an absolute bullet, drilled cross which hit a highfield player and went in. 3-1. The game was now getting very tasty and exciting - you gotta love football. Highfield were awarded a contraversial free kick on the edge of the Lordshll box (for which Ross was booked for his protest). Highfield got a corner from the free kick. The ball played into the Lordshill box, Chancey clearly pushed out of the way, the ball looped up and a highfield player producd a Ronney style overhead kick into the goal, fair play, great finish. 3 - 2.

Danny was outstanding throughout the second half. Continuing with some great shots at goal and a tremendous work ethic to get forward and back.

Lordshill managed to settle themselfs and play the game out sensibly to secure the 3-2 win and a crucial 3 points gained in the race for the title.

A very good, competitive game.

Man of te match - Danny, great performance

Special mention to Riki who was back to his best with a very solid goalkeeping performance. Good handling, good kicking, good decision

3 games to go.

Above Bar 1 v 2 Lordshill - 05/03/2011 - Solent League 1
Lordshill travelled to Fleming Park to take on Above Bar. Above Bar have beat Lordshill twice already this season, the most recent result being a drubbing in the cup 1/4 final. So Lordshill knew they were in for a very tough test and needed nothing short of a win to keep alive the tilte dream.

Jose set the team up as: RIKI, ROSS(C), ASH, BIGGSY, GOLDING, DALE, DANNY, MEZZA, CHANCEY, IAN T, JOHN T with DOC starting on the bench. With injuries, work and family, the squad is being stretched to its absilute limits.

The game kicked off with the game unfolding how everyone expected. Lordshill trying to play the ball around and Above Bar working their socks off and really getting in the faces of Lordshill.

The game shaped this way, with no side really showing any clear dominance. It was clear both teams really wanted to win - but the game was played in a very good competitive spirit.

The first break through came on 30 minutes when Chancey fexed his biceps and launched a long throw into the box. Ross rose like a dolphin from the sea to head the ball home. 1 - 0 Lordshill.

Above Bar continued to work extremely hard and certainly had their fair share of the game and were starting to create chances, but the back 5 for Lordshill were keeping them at bay.

Dale was making himself busy down the right hand side and had a couple of 50p shots.

Lordshill looked dangerous at every corner, and after one great delivery by Ian, Danny timed his run perfectly and produced a bullet header, low and in the corner - only for the Above bar keeper to produce a great save.

Half time ( 1 - 0 Lordshill )

The second half started much the same as the first, with Above Bar starting to put a bit more pressure on Lordshill. Rike stayed alert and dealt with a couple of long range shots and crosses with great composure.

Lordshill were still looking dangerous on attack though and forced a corner. Ian T struck a sweet drive into the box - which went through a group of players into the net (2- 0 Lordshill).

Above bar did not give up and kept working and pressing all over the pitch. They finally got their rewards with a goal making it 2-1 with 25 minutes to play.

Both teams wanted another goal and the effort and determination was a testiment to both teams.

Lordshill created a couple more chances, with DOC firing in an excellent volley - again for the Above bar keeper to make a great save.

The game was played at 100 miles an hour by both teams right up until the final whistle. With Lorshill running out 2-1 winners, in what was an extremely hard fought 3 points.

Man of the match this week goes to EVERYONE - for what was an amazing team effort of grit and determination. Well done lads