After two wins in a row and two clean sheets we had to come up against stronger opposition at some point and what a test we had, Deernees were the winter champions so the boys had to be up for it.

Straight from the off the opposition won the ball and tested Ethan who in our last two games had not much to do, it was nice to see that he was focused and sharp from the off. The game never really settled as it was stop start ( thank you mr referee) the Leam first goal came from a corner which was tapped in from Harvey hendry.

After that the opposition pressed higher and higher and tested our keeper more, George and Shay were once again showing reciliance, tackling passing and making it hard for them to get through. The equaliser came from a free kick that horribly deflected off of our player and past Ethan.

At half time the boys really wanted it and the second half was more of the same, all end to end stuff both teams giving everything as the ref let the game flow a bit more.

A loose ball fell to the opposition striker who smashed it last Ethan, not much he could do, still keeping them st bay with some great reflex saves.

Leam had more chances first of all Joe kelly found himself one on one with the keeper who brilliantly kept his effort out, then Jack and Leo tested the keeper some more. Then from a resulting corner (twice in a match) josh latched onto Leo cross and his volley flew in.

Then heartache with less than a minute left a corner came in and it wasn't dealt with well, the ball fell to the striker who 4 yards out tapped the ball home.

A game we didn't deserve to lose however we didn't do enough to deserve a win. A draw would be fair result for these two titans.

I am still proud of all the lads and the efforts they showed today especially with it being a stop start game.

Now a break in the spring cup but bring on the gateshead fell and Leam Rangers tournament over Easter.

Well done boys

Man of match Ethan Holmes

UTL