Featured Game - Coundon Court U10’s 3-3 Dunlop U10’s

Rhys scored twice as Coundon Court twice came from behind to snatch a deserved point at home to Dunlop this afternoon.

The hosts did not make it easy for themselves though, as they fell behind to two early strikes in a frantic opening, but first-half goals by Rhys and Jack restored parity at 2-2. Dunlop again forced a lead just three minutes later, but a dominant second-half saw Rhys net his second to give Coundon a share of the spoils.

With only one loss in their first eight league games, it was no surprise that table-topping Dunlop started the match in the ascendancy, and they found the back of the net after just a minute. A long ball sprayed out towards the right-wing found the #8 in acres of space; he sprinted clear and brilliantly lofted a delicate chip over George and into the far left corner.

Matters were made worse just two minutes on, as Rhys lost possession deep in the Dunlop half, and the visitors duly broke at speed. The influential #4 prodded the ball beyond the Coundon defence, which allowed the #10 to sprint clear, round George and tap into an empty net from close range. Just three minutes on the clock and Coundon were two goals behind.

In a truly remarkable response, Coundon found themselves back in the game just a minute later via the boot of Rhys. Spencer’s huge clearance from defence caused havoc in the Dunlop box, and the Coundon striker seized upon the opportunity to rifle beyond the goalkeeper and into the bottom left-hand corner.

With every attack looking likely to result in a goal, Spencer and Ryan briefly put pay to that with a couple of stunning challenges to deny the Dunlop #10 a further strike just seconds later. With attacking seemingly prioritising over defending, it was no surprise when Coundon equalised on 6 minutes. Ben’s instinctive left-footed drive from the right was controlled by Jack, who then brilliantly fired an unstoppable shot into the top left-hand corner, to drag the host’s level at 2-2. It was the sixth consecutive game the captain had scored in, and was a fitting reward for a spirited and battling first-half performance.

Coundon were on level terms for merely three minutes though, as a mistake by Spencer let in the dangerous #10, who wasted no time before lashing an unstoppable effort beyond George from the edge of the box for his second goal.

Despite the plethora of goals inside the opening nine minutes, both teams finally began to settle after Dunlop took the lead, and Coundon had to wait until the 18^th minute to threaten the visitor’s goal again. Ben’s left-footed cross wasn’t dealt with by the defence, as Rhys nicked the ball ahead of the goalkeeper, but he couldn’t find the net from an acute angle on the right.

This appeared to be the catalyst for the gung-ho approach which occurred in the early stages of the game, as the Dunlop #5 went on a marauding run just a minute later but blazed over the bar from a tricky angle on the right. A minute later and Rhys was the focal point again, winning the ball in attack and feeding Ben on the wing, his well struck drive was spilt by the ‘keeper, before the Dunlop defence hurriedly cleared away for a corner.

The second-half started in much the same vein as the first, with both teams consistently looking threatening in attacking areas. The Dunlop #10 received the ball from the #11 on the right side of attack, his touch was too heavy though, and George did brilliantly to block at the strikers feet. The Coundon stopper was again at his best to deny the #10 just a minute later, as he got across to save a low drive from the left flank.

On 28 minutes, Jack showed superb composure to jink past three challenges on the left-wing, before cutting in and smashing a shot which was beaten away by the Dunlop goalkeeper at his near post. At this point, the home side were looking far more threatening, with Rhys and Ben causing the visitors plenty of problems in the wide areas. Connor was the next to try his luck on 35 minutes, as he cut in from the left-wing and thumped a low effort into the arms of the goalkeeper. 

Dunlop were now being pegged back deep into their own half, and were very nearly undone by a magnificent move on 37 minutes. Connor and Rhys played a superb one-two in the middle of the pitch which set the latter free on the left-wing, he cut back onto his right foot and crossed into the box, the ball struck Connor before agonisingly clipping the top of the bar and bouncing over.

With pressure mounting, Coundon finally breached the opponents net with just five minutes remaining to draw level at 3-3. Connor received the ball from Ben with his back to goal; he immediately pulled the ball back for Rhys on the edge of the box, and he brilliantly dragged a left-footed shot beyond the goalkeeper and into the net, via the right post. 

This gave Coundon the confidence to find a winner in the dying moments - and they very nearly did - as Rhys was denied a hat-trick in a breathless encounter, by a terrific low save by the Dunlop goalkeeper at his right post.

Coundon Court U10’s 3-3 Dunlop U10’s

Goals:

Coundon Court:

Rhys (4')
Jack (6')
Rhys (45')

Dunlop:

#8 (1')
#10 (3')
#10 (9')