24/12/2007 - 28/12/2007

Under 10s And Under 11s

Match report by David Wilde.
The last game of 2007 saw the Under 10's take on the Under 11s in a friendly as the 10s still prepare for 11-a-side next year. The 10s are looking to be a very good side next season as the preparation is going very well. The first-half saw the 10s pinned back in their own half with the 11s pressing from the start hitting the bar in the first few minutes. With all the pressing from the 11s they couldn't break through the solid 10s defence with Dan Melville having a storming first-half, superb as always our Mr reliable. 10s only chance of the half fell to Shaw after some nice link up play between J Melville and Southern saw the ball fall to Shaw who couldn't adjust his feet quick enough to shoot. Half-time 0-0.
We got the 10s in had a chat about how we were doing, what myself and Rob wanted to change. What was pleasing was the way the lads listened to our instructions and applied them in the second-half. Against the run of play, Hind, J Melville and Southern linked up in the middle of the park allowing Hind to play a perfect through ball on for Shaw to show his pace and bury the shot into the bottom corner. Minutes later the 10s were 2-0 up with J Melville again linking up with Skiba to set up Hind who placed a shot into the corner. The 11s seemed to really up their game after this and with minutes remaining they were level, then the ball fell to the young Lofthouse who planted a shot curling into the corner to make it 3-2. With the 10s still learning the 11-a-side game and playing so well against a team with more experience myself and Rob are very happy with how we are progressing and we have a few teams approaching us for 11-a-side friendlies. Bring it on!

Match report by Kevin Lofthouse.
With no fixtures over the festive period, and Xmas pud and the odd beverage still lying on parents stomachs, what better reason to organise a game of footie? Although many Under 11s parents must think the manager is crackers! 13 of the kids obviously thought what a good idea! the Under 10s probably thought the same, and only 9 youngsters attended for them, nevertheless Shaw 'senior' was draughted into nets and 11s midfield general, Alex G borrowed till half-time, the game got underway. Within minutes George had rattled the bar and several chances were created by the 11s, but poor finishing and excellent defending from the 10s. No score at half-time.
With Sean exchanging teams with Alex, and constant changes, the 11s didn't have any pattern to their game and as a corner was cleared by the 10s poor defending, saw Shaw 'junior' pounce on an opportunity against the run of play 1-0, Sean seemed to have offered a spark. Soon the 11s started to wake up but not before star striker Hind put the 10s 2-0 up again after more hesitant defending, oh dear were the 11s going to suffer defeat against this talented but makeshift under 10s? The strength of Joe and Jamie plus Dan B concentrating on defending brought more balance and with 20 minutes left Milo sniffed a chance bobbling in the 6-yard box 2-1. Within five minutes he made it two after a goal line scramble Milo managed to get the ball over the line 2-2 with more pressure he thought he had his hat-trick only for the official to wave away the appeals that the ball had crossed the line! A hard one to see and probably the right decision! As the game was drawing to the end another under 11s attack was thwarted, only to be cleared to the edge of the box, were Mike hit a powerful shot into the corner of the net for his first 11-a-side goal, and the winner 3-2. Although just a friendly this was another good game of football, played with good spirit a well refereed by Tom Motley, surely when the under 10s go to 11-a-side next season they will be well prepared, keep up the good work everyone.