Mansfield Athletic (under 14) v Pegasus Blue ( under 14 )

FA Shield Match

Pegasus started the match well, on 3 minutes a cross by James Cerutti was headed over by Aaron Price. On 6 minutes Pegasus were ahead, a right wing corner by Cellan Brady, flicked on by Sean Gordon and smashed into the top right hand corner by Cerutti from 12 yards. 2 minutes later Fraser Dunn’s well timed tackle stopped the Mansfield striker as he was about to pull the trigger. On 13 minutes a Brady right wing corner was headed narrowly wide by Hopcroft, 3 minutes later the same 2 players combined, but this time Brady’s header was well saved by the keeper. Pegasus were playing great football. On 22 minutes a fantastic 9 man passing move ended with Billy Warburton firing just wide. A minute later, against the run of play and with their first chance of the match, Athletic equalised. Pegasus responded magnificently on 27 minutes - Pegasus were back in front, good work down the left by Brady crossing to Aaron Price, with his back to goal on the edge of the 18 yard box, he swivelled 180 degrees and smashed the ball into the corner of the goal. On the stroke of half time, it was 2 – 2, a low shot finding its way under the keeper. A fantastic first half performance by Pegasus, but very unfortunate to be going in level at half time, when they really should have been 3 or 4 goals ahead.

Half time: Mansfield Athletic 2 – Pegasus Blue 2

The home team started the 2nd half strongly, in the very first minute an Olympic striker raced clear but Jack Bales superbly tipped the shot over the bar. On 40 minutes the home side took the lead after their massive striker was brought down in the box, the resulting penalty was thumped in, off the underside of the bar. The home team were shading the second half, but Pegasus had several chances to equalise, on 50 minutes Pegasus surged forward but with 4 in the box all in space, none could be found. Then on 53 minutes Danny Gillard put in a beautiful cross, but the outstretched leg of Price failed to make contact. As the final whistle blew, it was not the result we wanted but a much better performance.

Final whistle: Mansfield Athletic 3 – Pegasus Blue 2

MOM – Lewis Lloyd-Jones A strong Performance