L4 Football Academy 4 vs 5 Botanic

What a game of football that was!!

This was the first time we'd faced Botanic since we locked horns with them in the 2015-16 Edge Hill JFL, that season we finished runners up in both the league and cup so we knew a tough test was coming our way. Botanic started on the front foot and capitalized on our slow and sluggish approach, defensive errors were punished and after just 16 minutes we were 3-0 down. A change in system and personal injected a bit more energy and purpose and Paddy hit one back smashing home Johnny's headed knock down on the half hour mark. Less than 2 minutes later the score was 4-2 Botanic striking first before Ethan done brilliantly to narrow the lead as half time approached.

The second half performance was outstanding and massive credit has to be given to the lads for the effort and character they displayed. A double from Gift, the second as cool as anything drew us level and at 4-4 we looked on course to go and win it. Both Ross and Mikey should have wrapped the game up but failed to convert their chances. The hammer blow came with just 12 minutes remaining when Kalu dwelled on the ball too long and Botanic caught us out on the counter attack.

Despite the defeat we should take a lot from the performance with both positive and negative lessons learned.