MATCH REPORT - SAT 25 APRIL

Barcelona 4 - 3 Real Madrid

An 'El Classico' friendly amongst the lads showed how far we have come in terms of finding space, positions and some passing. Lots of what we are practising at training in now evident in the matches.
 Barca went two up early on through Josh before Real Madrid got going and drew level. Some 'Xavi' like passes were finding Josh in lots of space but Real Madrid got much tighter and more organised in the second part of the game. William put Barca back in the lead with an instinctive Suarez type effort before Real Madrid equalised again through Finlay (2).
 In the final five minutes Barca scored again, Josh's hat-trick, and held on with some good saves from Hugo. Lewis, Wills, Rory and Charlie all piled on the pressure for Madrid in the final moments. Bailey, Rory and Alex worked very hard in the Barca midfield and defence.

TRAINING & MATCH - FRI 24 and SAT 25 APRIL

Hi all

Training is on at Waverton pitches on Friday at 17:30. Can all the boys please have drinks and shin-pads please. Shin-pads are needed (under our insurance rules) even at training.

We don't have a league match this Saturday and Blacon just cancelled our friendly (!!!) so as everyone is fit and available we will run a practise game 6v6, 4 x 10m quarters amongst our 12 lads. This will be at 09:00 KO at Waverton pitches (so arrival around 08:40).

The idea will be to run some technical training on Friday (so passing, moving, positions, drills from goal kicks and small sided games) and then see if it transpires through to the practise game on Saturday morning!!

See you all tomorrow. Any help with set-up and putting away always gratefully received.

Thanks
Rob & Paul

MATCH REPORT - SAT 18 APRIL

Vicars Cross 6 - 4 Rockets

A great performance from our lads against a strong team which previously beat Waverton 9 - 0 in October.

We showed great spirit in getting back into the game when several times it looked to be drifting away, and even at the very end we nearly got another with a great breakaway by Finlay who was still recovering from a sore foot after another bruising tackle!

Joshua and George continue to develop as forwards and are appreciating the need to be patient, find the space and wait for the ball to come to them. The ball didn't bounce right for George in this game but Josh managed to get three - our first and no doubt not our last hat-trick hero. Unfortunately the opposing coach did not let him keep the match ball! Lewis scored the other with a cracking strike.

Hugo once again drew the applause several times from both our and the opposition parents with some great saves and also demonstrated his kicking practice is clearly paying dividends.

Alex, Finlay and Charlie matched a physical opposition tackle for tackle and continue to show improved positional play and decision making at the back. Lewis, Wills and Rory worked hard in midfield and are clearly starting to understand the demands of playing in midfield mean you have to attack and defend, with Rory in particular showing a fearlessness in the tackle which was great to see.

Training is once again on Friday at 5.30. We are trying to get the boys to start passing more, look for space and not all go to the ball at the same time when the opposition have the ball. It will take time to get there but this result shows how well they are developing against teams that as a group have been together far longer than us.

There is no league match at the weekend but we are trying to arrange a friendly.

MATCH - SAT 18 APRIL

Hi all

Sorry for delay, coach from Vicars Cross not the best at getting back to me.

We do have a match tomorrow. Players either away or sitting out this weekend are Bailey, William and Lewis. 

It's a 10:15 (so 09:45 arrival) and Paul will be taking the team.

Venue is Thackeray Drive, CH3 5LR and the pitch is just by the scout hut.

Team:

Hugo (g)
Will B
Finlay
Joshua
Alex
Rory
George
Charlie
Harry

Training is on tonight at 5:30 at Waverton pitches.

Thanks
Rob

MATCH REPORTS

Rockets 2 - 2 Elton Youth       Friday 10 April

A good comeback from the boys against a strong and organised Elton side to whom we had recently lost. We went two down early on after we struggled to get going with Elton pushing us off the ball and winning too much possession in the first quarter. 

In the second and third quarters we improved and looked much more of a threat going forward. In midfield and in defence our tackles become stronger. A great passing move starting from Bailey at the back forced a corner which Harry put straight into the box and Finlay finished. With Joshua and George rotating up front we kept a decent shape going forward and the game went end to end. At the back Alex, William and Bailey did well with tough tackles, lots of enthusiasm and good decisions to clear danger. 

When Elton did get shots on target Hugo was there with his usual reliability. He pulled off some outstanding saves with one brilliant stop from a shot which was heading into the top corner.

We drew level in the final quarter level after another attack saw a scramble in the box before George cleverly dragged the ball back and finished. With Lewis breaking the play and running powerfully forward, and with a succession of good corners from Harry we came close on a number of occasions. 

A good result against strong opposition.


Elton Youth 4 - 1 Rockets      Saturday 4 April

After two successive wins we came undone against a solid and robust Elton team. We started slowly and only after after going two down (there is a theme developing here!!) we improved to get back to 2-1 after a good move forced an own goal from Elton.

In the middle quarters we were unluckily not to get more out of the game. Lewis hit the post with a powerful effort.

We were unlucky to concede a deflected own goal to put us 3-1 down and in the final quarter we went to one at the back to try and rescue the game.

Overall a good enjoyable game from which we will learn. We should mention the Elton no.8, a Man U academy player, had an outstanding match. 

MATCH - FRI 10 APRIL

Hi all

The match this Friday evening V Elton Youth is confirmed as 6:30pm KO (6:00pm arrival) at Waverton pitches. Some help on set up and clearing up after would be appreciated...

Team

Hugo (g)
Joshua
William
Lewis
Bailey
George
Finlay
Harry

Everyone has already confirmed so thanks for that.

Thanks
Rob