The Flames headed into the second round of the YEL cup and once again were paired with a team from the division above, in the shape of South Normanton Athletic.

In what has seemed a real stop-start season, the Flames have found it difficult to find the positive form from last season, but they were determined to go out and put on a performance today and progress to the QF stages of the Cup for a second successive season.

The game started in frantic fashion, with Kaeden and Kian leading the line in front of the energetic Laiton and Cole on the right and left side of midfield. Isaac captained the team from his usual central midfield position in front of the reliable defensive trio of Harry, Joe, and Keagan.

The opening twenty minutes saw wave after wave of Flames attack, but a combination of some solid and assured South Normanton defending and a couple of excellent saves from the goalkeeper, prevented the Flames from finding the opening goal. South Normanton looked very able with the ball at their feet, playing out from the back very comfortably and breaking at real pace, which Isaac, Keagan, and Joe all having to defend well against and use their physicality to stamp authority.

As in recent weeks, the Flames have found hitting the net a little frustrating, and the theme continued today as further chances came and went. The writing was pretty much on the wall for what would happen next as the Flames switched off for all of ten seconds, allowing their opposition to stroll through unchallenged against Blake one on one, and take a lead fully against the run of play.

The Flames had their heads still raised high during the interval and knew that the next goal could turn the game back in their favour. The introduction of Archie, Kayden and Riley all gave the reignition of energy and fresh legs in the middle of the park, but the frustrations for the previously lethal strike duo of Kaeden and Kian continued to grow.

Archie then went agonisingly close with a thunderbolt of a shot, which came crashing back off the underside of the crossbar and sum up the day we were having in front of goal.

With the clock rapidly running down, South Normanton pounced on a miscued back pass to race through on goal and roll the ball past Blake with ease and take their place in the QF of the Cup.

It was really disappointing to exit the Cup having been on top for most of the game, but we once again showed that we can hold our own against the better teams in the YEL. Once the goals start to reappear, the confidence of the Flames boys will come flooding back.

Credit must go to South Normanton for the way they defended and battled all over the pitch. We wish them every success in the Cup and for the remainder of the season.

Player of the Match – Isaac Barrow. Once again, Isaac was everywhere on the pitch, tackling, passing, dribbling superbly well. His performances in recent months have been reminiscent of a player much older than his years, and he once again controlled this game today whilst also demonstrating a very high degree of maturity. Well done, Isaac.

A massive thank you to our sponsor for the U11 Flames - Parallel Parents www.parallelparents.com

It is an honour to have this fantastic company sponsor us, and we wear the logo on our shirts with pride!

Heanor Town Football Club

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