Bird strikes!

On a weekend when many clubs made changes in the the FA Cup, the Leopards were no different when they played Maccabi Lions, away on Sunday afternoon.
Samuel O'Hare, Michael Bird and Milo Hegarty, all started the game in new positions. Unlike last week, the Leopards started the match with some exhilarating one and two touch football, and it didn't take long for their first goal. Dan Austin played the ball out from the back to Michael Bird on the right wing, Michael ran down the wing, before playing a 1-2 with Harris Young, who back heeled the ball into the path of Michael, who had continued his run into the box, before placing a low shot past the keeper. A really well worked goal that deserved the applause.
Although there were no more goals in the 1st half, there were more positives, with players getting back behind the ball and use of Daniel McKinstry to keep possession and move the ball around. Again during the second half, there were some wonderful periods of passing play, where the Leopards went from their own penalty area to the other with minimal touches. The second Leopards goal was as good as the 1st. Samuel O'Hare won the ball at LB, a neat pass out to George Small, who passed to Jack Horne, who picked out the run of Daniel Austin from RW. We all thought Dan would be like Michael and get a rare goal, but unfortunately his shot was saved by the GK, before Harris followed up and scored from the rebound.
Well done to the boys for listening and take on board the importance of playing the way we do, and more importantly, testing and pushing themselves by playing in positions that may make them feel uncomfortable.