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The force team welcomed Warwickshire Fire FC to Tally Ho for their first ESFL knock our round of the season on the 2nd February.
Both teams were undefeated in the competition and both seemed really up for the game.
The game started at an extremely fast pace and after the first 5 minutes it was clear that the Police had a skill and fitness advantage. However, the Police were unable to capitalise and were trying to force the ball through gaps that simply weren’t there. This led to scrappy play all over the park which invited the Warwickshire team into a battle which they didn’t shy away from. It seemed like if they couldn’t beat us they would try and hurt us and the late tackles began to pile up.
After an initial scrappy first 10 minutes Dan Jarratt found space for a shot in midfield. He was some distance out and struck the ball with power aiming for just underneath the bar. The Fire keeper quickly back-pedalled and managed to tip the ball over for a corner. This was fortunate for the fire team and for the ear drums of the West Mids Police side as they would have never heard the end of it from Jarratt if that effort had have gone in.
Further chances fell to the Police who were now mounting some serious pressure on the Warwickshire goal. Around 20 minutes were on the clock before Team Captain, Stu Lewis broke the deadlock. He was fed the ball from Winger Harry McCarron into the box and Lewis opened up his body and stroked the ball under the keeper for 1-0. A well-deserved goal for West Mids who were well on top at this point.
1-0
20″ Lewis
Around 5 minutes later Winger Jordan Brookes burst off the wing towards the box. Skinning the defender inside out the defender lunged at Brookes and brutally took him out 5 yards outside the box. It was a clear yellow card offence that went unpunished by the referee. Forward Kyle King stepped up to take the free-kick and perfectly slotted it over the wall into the net. The Warwickshire keeper could only watch as the ball flew past him. A just deserved punishment for the relentless fouling from the Warwickshire side.
2-0
20″ Lewis
25″ King
King then found himself inside the box again as he latched onto a well delivered through ball. The Warwickshire keeper came rushing off his line and King looked for the angle to dink the ball past him. Unfortunately, King’s angles were out by centimetres as the ball rolled and hit the upright. The ref then called for halftime a short time later.
HT
2-0
The second half kicked off and almost immediately the Police broke towards the Fire end. The ball was played across the box and finished up in the air. Stu Lewis nudged his header over the stranded keeper and defender towards the gaping goal. King, hanging about like a fox in the box stuck out a leg and got the final touch for his second.
3-0
20″ Lewis
25″ 47″ King
Brookes playing on the wing cut inside and played a great through ball cutting the Fire defence in half. Speedster, McCarron outpaced the defence and was clear through on the keeper. Rounding the keeper not once, but twice before side footing the ball into the net and finishing a great move.
4-0
20″ Lewis
25″ 47″ King
55″ McCarron
Following some defensive play from the Police the Referee’s assistant flagged and called the referee over for a chat. It was heard during discussion that the Warwickshire centre forward had gone nose to which West Mids defender Dan Mroczkowski and pushed his head towards the Police player. The referee then sent off the forward who had been pushing his luck all afternoon with several dirty tackles.
Several changes were then made to bring on fresh legs for the Police and take full advantage of the now extra player.
King on a hattrick found himself with his back to goal. Turning the defender he unleashed a powerful effort into the roof of the net. The strike was unstoppable for the Fire keeper and a superb individual goal to complete his hattrick.
5-0
20″ Lewis
25″ 47″ 65″ King
55″ McCarron
Space was plentiful and the Police took full advantage with nice build up play. Danny Hitchmough at right back had a cross blocked which went out for a throw in. Quickly gathering the ball, he launched the ball over three defenders for James Bostock to run onto. Gathering the ball Bostock steadied himself before passing the ball firmly into the net from a tight angle.
6-0
20″ Lewis
25″ 47″ 65″ King
55″ McCarron
80″ Bostock
Further chances were created by the Police who were now at a strolling pace. The referee then called for full time ending a resounding victory for the Police side.
FT
6-0
The match was also played Infront of our Sponsors, Jigsaw Infrared Heating Solutions with CEO Glenn Billington and his team in attendance. Glenn took the time to meet with several players and coaching staff afterwards which was really apricated by all. Glenn awarded striker Kyle King man of the match for his superb hattrick.
After the game Skipper Stu Lewis stated “It was a big game today as we entered the ESFL knock out stages. We have a really strong squad and to be honest, it helps, especially as the cup continues. During the game today I thought we started slow and it wasn’t to our usual standards. However, we battled through to half time and managed to get a couple of goals. We really needed them and it felt like it killed the game although we knew we could have done better. They were a really physical team and I got a knock in the first half as like most of us. When we scored the third goal, I knew that was going to be enough. I must say though I thought it was very greedy of Kyle to nick the goal off me. We now move onto Tuesday’s match against Thames Valley Police in another massive game and hopefully another win. I would also like to say thanks to Glenn and his team at JIGSAW who are our sponsors and joint ESFL sponsors for coming down today. They are a great team of people and we are really pleased of their support”.
West Mids Police FC are next in action on: Friday 18th February
@Ilkeston Town FC, Derbyshire
KO: 19:30
Derbyshire Police are the opponents in the newly formed Combined Midland Police League sponsored by Jigsaw Infrared Heating Solutions.
“It starts from here”