(Back to Index ) Ludlow Thompson 1 - MISA FC 3 A good battling win on our first match as an 'official' team against a team that where strong, robust and probably a bit fitter than ourselves. However, things couldn't have got of to a worser start than they did. After a very cagey opening three minutes a long punt up field from the strong Ludlow defender saw left back Alan slice the ball over the head of stranded keep Marshmellow. 1-0 Ludlow. At a time when heads could easily have dropped so early into our first match, it was pleasing to see we got our heads up and started to play the ball around with a bit of confidence. After some steady pressure on the Ludlow defence a decent cross in from five bells on the left wing saw the Ludlow defender stick his arm out and stop the ball in the penalty area. "Penalty" we all cried out and the referee duly obliged in pointing to the spot. In no time at all Five Bells got hold of the ball and placed it on the spot. Then calmly converted the penaltysending the goalie the wrong way and placing the ball in the bottom right hand corner, 1-1. For the remainder of the first half it was a steady stream of MISA pressure, chances started to fall. Some excellent fast flowing football involving five or six MISA players drew some gasp's from the crowd. Shortly after the ball was sprayed wide to 'Scoot' after some excellent link play in the middle. He took one touch and whipped in a dangerous ball. Nick.B lept up and made contact with a great header only to see an even better save from the Ludlow keeper. As the half time whistle blew MISA where looking very comfortable and enjoyed some good spells of possesion. A few subs at half time and some words of Motivation from the manager and we where back out for the second half. Ludlow had made a couple of subs also with a pacy looking central midfielder who got on the ball early and had a few half decent touches. It didnt take long though for MISA to up the tempo and start attacking a now tired looking Ludlow defence. After a bit of a scramble in the box the ball fell kindly for Nez who slotted the ball home from inside the 5yrd box. As they game opened towards the end both sides started to create some chances, Nick.B again went colse with two efforts cleared the line, and Ludlow themselves could count them self unlucky as the ref played the advantage after a blatent foul in the box only for the striker to shoot straight at the MISA keeper. After a routine backpass the Ludlow GK decided he should really have been on pitch and attempted to take on the on rushing Nez. It was not to be as Nez took the ball of him and rounded him and as he pulled his foot back to shoot was dived upon by the scrambling GK. Penalty number two. It was 'Scoot's' turn as he pleaded with Captain Nick to take it. A very poor penalty was placed pass the right hand post. Back MISA came and some good play put George clean through, he rounded the keeper and finished the game, 3-1 in the last few minutes. A very good first performance, some excellent displays noticable Joe at right back, and the two central defenders who stood in and seem to win everything. Well done lads.