Cup success for U16 team

LEICESTER MENS U16 2 LOUGHBOROUGH CARILLON MENS U16 3

SUNDAY saw the first U16 match for the boys of Loughborough Carillon in the new Tier 2 EH cup competition.

Following tough Saturday matches, the selected 16 from the Carillon Men’s section took to the field and quickly asserted themselves on to the opposition.

After an early couple of attacks that Carillon should have capitalised from, the Home side regrouped and they themselves threatened to open the scoring. This open approach to the game continued throughout the match.

Alex Carter opened the scoring for Carillon but that advantage lasted only a few minutes as a well worked Leicester goal levelled the game. Half time arrived, and with a sternly delivered team talk plus a reshuffle in formation, appeared to work well for Carillon who again created several classy attacking plays. But the lack of a finish allowed the 1-1 score line to remain.

That was until Leicester scored through an excellent individual goal; Carillon players will be disappointed to have conceded such a goal, especially as defensive positioning and individual tackling was a key topic of the team talk at half time.

However, class always shows and with time running out, Rhuaidhri Maguire, provided yet another moment of inspiration to turn over possession for Carillon who then again found Alex Carter to equalise the score. Now it seemed as though the pieces all fit together perfectly as Carillon moved into another gear. Once again through Maguire’s tenacity, they won themselves a penalty corner. James Whyte, who was repositioned from forward to half back, capped a fine performance by smashing home a rebounded shot to seal the victory.

Well done to all players but special mentions to Ruaidhri Maguire, James Whyte, Rahul Acharya, Kellan Patel, Alex Carter and Captain Sam Beavon for consistent, energetic, courageous and thoughtful performances throughout the entirety of the match.