EMFC 2 v 1 Easton Cowboys

September 4th, 2022 Clifton College Sports Ground

TEAM: Josh, Craig, Terry, Jason, Ken, Jamie, Jon, Manny, Arron, Morgs, Nik SUBS: Ellis (Arron's mate), Simon (Arron's mate) ,Tim (Jason's mate)

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The Derby! A little apprehension from the off as it seemed like a never-ending off-season and it's never easy to start the season against a team who the Mondays always struggle to play well against and haven't beaten for a good few years! The Blues also very much struggled to get a team together!

A stand in ref as Lee was poorly. It was clear that Gary wasn't quite up to the same standard as Lee and he let A LOT go but it was still appreciated him coming along all the same as it was very last minute

The game could not have got off to a better start. Arron took the kick off back to Jamie who passed it straight to Jon who then ran forward and found Arron in the middle who clipped it straight into Nik. Their defenders had not switched on and Nik, on debut, had all the time on the world to slot home past their keeper.

After that moment, Cowboys had the better of the half.

Not many chances created, but they had all of the possession and passed the ball around better than Mondays. The back four were very solid and had an excellent game.

Mondays struggled to get the passes together like they normally do and struggled to turn excellent defence into any form of attack but 'held on' to go into half time 1-0 up.

The second half was largely the same with regards to possession but Mondays played a bit better. The game became a little niggly but nothing more than is usual with a game against Cowboys.

Mondays got their second goal with neat play down the right from Arron and Nik resulting in Arron putting in the perfect cross to land on Morgs' head who excellently slotted home with a header back across the keeper. Jason said after the game... "was that you Arron?" in a way that was definitely not a compliment! 2-0.

The second half was then a little overshadowed by nasty looking injuries to Jamie and then Arron. Ellis, Simon and Tim came on all came on and made excellent showings of themselves.

Tim is clearly a great footballer, Simon showed great pressure and energy and Ellis showed a real powerhouse presence in the midfield that is perfect against a team like Cowboys.

Cowboys eventually got their goal with a neat bit of skill that fooled at least three Mondays players. 2-1

Mondays held on for a deserved victory. A long overdue victory over Cowboys. Mondays didn't play the best game, but it showed real grit and determination to still grind out the victory despite not having much possession.

Special mentions go to Craig and Jason who had excellent outings.