The under 17's returned to league action today with an away trip to Upton.
Confidence was high after winning the league last season but the lads also knew this was going to be a step up in both skill level and physicality.
With the added disadvantage of having a bare minimum 11 players against the opposition's 5 subs, this game was always going to be a challenge.
However, the team, for the majority of the game rose to the occasion and for 70 minutes this was a thoroughly entertaining game of football.
OWLS began the first 20 minutes dominating possession and with a midfield 5, Upton failed to get out of their own half.
When they did eventually brake, a misjudged challenge in the OWLS penalty area was enough to give the home team the advantage as stand in goalkeeper Will came agonisingly close to pushing the ball away from danger.
1-0 Upton.
OWLS continued to enjoy long spells of possession in the opposition's half, but it was Upton who again found the back of the net after a good clearance from a corner dropped favourably for the home team and took a fortunate deflection in to the top corner.
2-0 Upton.
OWLS responded quickly, and after ratcheting up the intensity, were rewarded with a penalty after a blatant foul inside the Upton area.
2-1.
After the home team scored a third from a well worked attack down the middle, OWLS lost their heads somewhat and a coupe of players chose to let their emotions rather than what had been some quality football, do the talking. After the referee flashed a yellow, OWLS managed to regain some composure for the last 5 minutes, adding a consolation goal to the score.
3-2.
This was a game OWLS could have easily won had it been for some fresh legs and some better attitudes. All of the lads played very well today and for the majority of the game, with no one really putting a foot out of place.
Hopefully lessons will be learned for next weeks trip to Wrenthorpe - This is after all, a team game where sometimes, graciousness, composure and dignity when things don't go entirely to plan can make the difference between win, lose and draw.
Today's Player of the Match was awarded to Lennie who was very solid in defence, making some strong clearances, well timed challenges and provided great cover thanks to some intelligent positioning off the ball.
Thanks also to Will, who played the whole game as stand in keeper and managed some impossible saves and superb and determined clearances.