The Leopards returned home to Borstal as they welcomed Hempstead Valley.

The hosts were once again without Zach Williams, while Will was away on holiday.

The visitors started on the front foot and were ahead after 4 minutes, as the ball was played down the outside of Brick and their wingers low cross found their striker between Joseph and Teddy, as he tucked the ball past Ryan from close range.

The Leopards slowly grew into the game as Ted, Zach & Ollie started to get on the ball.

The hosts nearly created a goal out of nothing as Michael latched on a loose ball in the box, burst past a defender, and his effort towards the near post was tipped wide by the keeper.

The visitors were controlling the majority of possession which meant the Leopards couldn’t get their passing game going.

Michael had another sight of goal as he burst through in the right hand channel and his powerful effort was blocked by the keeper.

Both Benni and Vincent had some success down the right hand side, but the forwards were unable to get on the end of their crosses.

Into the Second Half and the visitors soon doubled their lead, as a good through ball found their forward in behind Teddy and he managed to hold him off and slit past Ryan.

The Leopards kept trying to pass the ball but with Zach and Ollie struggling with knocks, they couldn’t maintain possession, while the visitors looked dangerous on the break but Joseph, Josh, Teddy & Brick were defending solidly.

Following an excellent move by Hempstead, Ryan had to dive low to his left to turn away a good effort.

On the flanks, both Connor and Callum were working hard to win possession.

With 5 minutes left, the Leopards gave themselves a lifeline as Vincent picked up a loose ball inside the Hempstead half, beat eleventeen players before winning a big 50/50 in the box. The ball fell to Luke 8 yards out and he slotted home.

The goal gave the hosts belief and they look dangerous every time they went forward. With seconds left on the clock, they were presented with one more chance. As a mahoosive kick forward from Ryan caused havoc in the Hempstead back line as Michael competed for the ball. The bouncing ball fell to Max on the edge of the box and his attempted lob went agonisingly over the bar.

Parents Player: Vincent;
Coaches Player: Ryan.

Coaches Thoughts
Not our best performance of the season, but we hung in there and nearly came away with a point against a good team.
The last 5-10 minutes we started to show belief and looked a different team. We just need to show that same belief from the start.

Real 60 Football Club

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