A much improved team performance saw the U10s get back to winning ways, although there was yet again another tense last quarter.
The teams looked evenly matched by the end of the first quarter with no goals scored but chances at both ends. Matthew Giloney in goal pulled off some great saves to prevent Bedlington from scoring, while at the other end our best chance fell to Lewis Best who fired a screamer just wide.
The second quarter saw Besty score to make it 1-0 with him having more chances and Matthew once again pulling off some great saves. Kieron Garrett had come on as sub on the right wing towards the end of the first quarter to replace Brooklyn Holcz who had picked up a knock and he had what I thought was one of his best games in a Spartans shirt. He was taking the defenders on, getting past them and getting some good balls in and was unlucky not to score himself.
Bedlington equalized in the third quarter, but Lewis Parker in the centre of midfield came back and put Spartans back in front, as well as having a couple of other chances from free kicks. Things were no easier for Bedlington on the left, with Rhys Common getting past the defence and putting balls into the box as well as making a couple of chances for himself. However, this doesn’t mean that Spartans had it all their own way. Bedlington kept coming at the U10s and some strong defending from both Reece McMahon and Lewis Wilkinson made it hard for Bedlington to find space. When Bedlington did get space to shoot, it was Daniel Brown, now in goal for the last two quarters, who stood up and denied them.
Going into the last quarter, Brooklyn came back on as well as Adam Stobbart with a fresh pair of legs to run at the Bedlington defence, as Besty dropped back into midfield. There were several cries of “how long ref?” as this quarter went on and Bedlington pushed forward and Spartans tied to catch them on the break and keep the ball in their half.
This was a solid team performance from the U10s which brought a much needed win. All we need now is a game with a bigger lead in the last quarter when the coaches can relax a little bit.