MATCH REPORT - SAT 4 FEBRUARY

ELLESMERE PORT RANGERS 0 - 8 ROCKETS

The result doesn't tell the full story today...but it does all but ensure our place in the Shield semi-final.

Playing on a tiny pitch really threw the lads in the first two quarters but Xander and Bailey got us out of jail both hitting screamers into the top corners at the end of each quarter. During the 2nd quarter we were hanging on at times and the post came to our rescue three times!

Going into the 3rd and 4th quarters the boys began to settle but it took a brilliant save from Hugo, clawing one out the top corner, to wake the lads up! From there on we started to pass and move and played really well.

Xander scored a contender for goal of the season with some 'FIFA 17' tricks and footwork before chipping the keeper from the touch-line. Austin finished a brilliant bit of play created by Rory, who turned the defender inside out before crossing. Wills grabbed a deserved goal and George scored a final quarter hat-trick with the last kick of the game to cost his dad some extra pocket money!

Overall the result flattered us slightly but there is no doubt that our boys carry a great deal of fire-power across the midfield and up front. The defenders of William, Charlie and Alex plus Fin who can get up and down laid the platform for the win and got us through some difficult moments today.

Certainly if we can keep goals conceded down as we have done in this competition (53 goals scored and conceded just 2 !!) then we've a good chance to win games with our power up top.

MOTM was shared across all the boys today and Hugo will Captain us versus Malpas.

Well done lads.

THIS WEEKEND - SAT 21 JANUARY

Hi all

Training is on this Friday as usual.

This Saturday our Chester Shield Match as follows;

SAT 21 JAN  - AWAY V VICARS CROSS, 10:15AM KO (so 9:45AM arrival) at Thackeray Dr, Chester CH3 5LU

Rested players are:     Rory & Zac

Rory will hold onto the arm-band from last weekend and captain us against Malpas Blacks on 28 Jan.

If anyone is unavailable this weekend or 28 Jan please let me know ASAP so we can shift things about.

Best regards

Rob

MATCH REPORT - SAT 14 JANUARY

ROCKETS 6 - 0 MALPAS BLACKS

A perfect performance against a team which had beaten Vicars Cross a week earlier and who themselves were in good form.

Both teams started brightly and the opening 5 minutes was pretty hectic as Malpas looked to put in hard tackles, work hard and play down the left through their best player. We looked very solid though as William read the play very well and was able to out muscle the Malpas forwards and link with Xander and Rory ahead of him.

Our running ability through Xander and all round movement became too much for Malpas and Rory drove home to put us 1-0 up and in control. The boys did not let up and after 13 minutes we introduced Fin on the left, Bailey in the middle and Harry up top.

It was really pleasing that we were able to keep our shape and the second goal soon game with Bailey following in and tapping home to give us some breathing space. Xander soon put us 3-0 up with a trade mark early shot with no back-lift which gave the keeper no chance. Hugo also pulled off a good save late into the half to keep us well ahead.

At half-time we talked about how important the next goal would be. In the second half Malpas began to tire with all the shadows they were chasing as we moved the ball in angles all around them. This resulted in a 5 man move from the back involving William, Bailey, Harry, Rory and finally George through on goal to dink it past the keeper. A contender for goal of the season and up there with the one in the Frodsham festival.

George then grabbed another before Fin went up for a corner and smashed the clearance back on goal into the net with the cleanest of clean strikes!

At 6-0 up we could have made it 7-0 as Rory played George in again but unfortunately he did a Geoff Thomas! It would have been a great hat-trick as well.

Everyone really played at their peak today and we looked really motivated and concentrated on what we'd talked about in training and pre-match. The wasn't an easy match on paper but we made it look easy. Malpas will improve in the away fixture on a smaller pitch - they are a hard working team.  

MOTM was between two players. William for his calm and collected play which linked and set up lots of moves down the right...and Rory for his movement and passing. The award went to Rory who continued his unbelievable improvement following on from the end of last season.

BUT well done to everyone, a fab performance. The Malpas coach texted to say it was a pleasure to play such a good footballing side.  

MAJOR NEW SPONSOR !

Hi all

Our Rockets now have a major new sponsor for the next 2.5 years!

Martin’s (Austin’s dad) Company https://cabinmax.com/ are sponsoring the playing kit in full, so thanks from us all for that.

Needless to say, please make sure you buy all your luggage for your many holidays (especially Dave and Cat!) from Martin’s website.

Laura will be in contact regarding sizing of playing tops.  

That leaves Training Waterproofs still open if anyone want to sponsor these with their logos on the back. We are looking for either a contribution of £200 or if anyone wants to sponsor in full around £350?

If anyone needs replacement or new Nike training tops (the black and fluorescent ones) please also contact Laura so we can add these to the order. These are funded directly by parents.

See you tonight.

Thanks

Rob

MATCH REPORT - SAT 7 JANUARY

ROCKETS 6 - 1 ELLESMERE PORT RANGERS

Our fifth straight win in the Chester Shield means we continue to top the Group and puts us one step closer to a semi-final later in the season...

We talked last night and this morning about how Ellesmere Port had improved their squad with 3 new players (with no ID cards!) so that we would need to stand up and win our individual battles but then relax on the ball and play our football around them. Getting this balance is really hard as its tempting on a poor pitch to get into a battle - which was frankly the only way we could have lost the game.

All the boys in the first 25 minutes executed the plan to 100% perfection. We stood up to the first few minutes of hard tackles and then we got the ball down and created angles, diagonals and one on one situations that our opposition couldn't cope with. With Zac protecting the middle, Rory holding a high line up top and Xander giving their left back a nightmare we went into the lead after Rory belted home from 10 yards.

We introduced Harry who straight away was working on his balance of pass or dribble which is great to see. Coming on for Rory on the left wing Harry then scored from the right wing, with a pot shot which crept in off the near post for a 2-0 score-line.

Just before the break EP put together a decent move which we failed to clear and they hit a hard shot to the bottom corner which Hugo somehow managed to tip around the post. We knew this was going to be crucial moment, potentially match winning, going into half time.

We spoke about how EP would come at us like a train in the second half. A combination of EP bringing their best player out of goal and us not quite getting used to our new shape and line-up resulted in us getting bogged down for 10 minutes.

We then broke and Xander put us 3-0 up before we conceded following a mix up between defence and midfield when we just needed to put the ball out of play.

With Zac back on, Xander was able to break again and he shot hard and low and even managed to break the net to put us 4-1 up.

In the final 10 minutes we created lots of chances against a tiring opposition whose heads had gone down and we scored again from a brilliant leap and guided header from Austin, for a deserved goal. Rory grabbed his second from close range and we were also awarded a penalty as EP's goalie from the first half decided to pick up the ball! Unfortunately Harry did a 'John Terry' on the terrible surface and the keeper pulled off a good save...

Overall the score is perhaps a little flattering but on the other hand we created a lot of chances we didn't convert. Our defence was rock solid throughout.

MOTM went to Xander as in the first period he was unplayable with great decision making between individual or passing attacks - which is what Paul and I had asked for!

The same praise about decision making can also be given to Rory and Harry. Its really pleasing to see we are coming through this transition period ahead of bigger pitches in 18 months time. To have tacklers, natural passers, exciting runners and those who can do both will give us a great advantage when we move to 9-side.

Well done to everyone.

MESSAGE FROM CHAIRMAN - CLUB MEETING MINUTES

Dear All

Hope all well and had good Christmases.

Belatedly please find the minutes from our last Club meeting on 17th November.

Following the meeting and as part of the Standard Charter discussion I did then meet with Jim Green, Chief Exec at Chester FC Community Trust.  In short they are very supportive of working with us and a recent example is our under 11 squad was - very last minute - invited as squad of the week at a recent home match.

I need to clarify with Cheshire FA how we formalise the relationship - if the majority agree - but Jim and I discussed:

- They would provide Coaching sessions for our Coaches at the Stadium through the Manager Jon McCarthy

- Could assist Coaches with CPD (continuing professional development)requirements
- Offer specialist Goalkeeping coaching with Dan Evans who heads it up
- Become an ambassador Club where they provide us tickets to use as awards across the Club
- Have AFC Waverton day at the Club where we “takeover” - have a stand to ourselves for a match
- Potentially host a tournament at the Stadium in close season
- They will be starting a futsal league (likely to be at Blacon High) next year
- Provide additional coaching at squad levels

As we go into 2017 the Club is in good health and the children are enjoying their football - thanks to you all.

We will need new and more people to help in the New Year - we will have a change of guard with a number of the current committee and there are people holding positions who I suspect no longer wish to.

To move the Club forward we will need new assistance so please do share the minutes with your Parent supporters - especially at the mini level.

I will liaise with the other committee members and we will aim for a next meeting towards the end of January.

Thanks again for all that you do for AFC Waverton & Wishing you all the very best for 2017.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

MINUTES - Thursday 17th November, 2016

 

Attendees

Stuart Scheuber, Phil Lathean, Carl Broadhurst, Simon Smith, Steve Lloyd, Steve Roberts,

Dom Corley, Rob Stewart, Natalie Jackson, Mike Worden, Luis Da Cunha, Duncan Stewart,

Mike Stanley

Apologies

Mike Binns (treasurer), Shiralee Williams (Secretary), Nick Isles, Sean Lanni,

Julie Adams-Guppy, Simon Mageean

1. Chairman Update

 
MS provided context that there had been incidents involving parents/contact with children/
 

how coaches/parents communicate re training/matches etc

The upshot is as a Club we don't have proper permissions to hold or use certain information.

Therefore it was proposed for the new season the registration form would be updated so

that the Club has clear consent to:

(1) Can hold Player/Parent data

(2) Clearly state who point of contact is and how can communicate

(3) Process to go through if change of contact details

(4) How data may be used (never passed outside of Club) but Club may send emails 

supporting sponsors

(5) It was also suggested that further information may be asked for/collected to help support
 

the Club further at this stage - e.g. Parent occupation/willingness to help Club.

 

 
MS also explained that a number of Coaches felt that, as a Club, we should be formally
 

reinforcing Code of Conduct. It was recognised we have a very good standard of

 
behaviour but it was worth further formalising as it would assist our ambition to reach the

next stage of Standard Charter as would be seen favourably by FA.

Therefore, again at next registration also get Players, Parents and Coaches to all sign up to.

Documents to be produced for next full meeting

Squad Sizes were then discussed

Context

 

 

Overall objective of allowing as many children as possible play/represent AFC Waverton in a

secure/safe environment - again in keeping with FA requirement

 
 
Virtually all year groups have waiting lists (unresolved question was within waiting lists
 

should we give priority to siblings?

 

 

The Club have had year groups asking for further subsidy on training facilities - this has
 

been where Coaches have kept smaller squads

 
 
We have turned away boys in spite of Parents offering to sponsor kits - is this right for the 

Club?

 
 
 
Agreed that the Club setting guidelines can assist Coaches in decision making where where
 

Club the has put squad limits in place;

Mini - Squad for 5 a side - 9/10 players! Squad for 7 a side 11/12 players

Junior - Squad for 9 a side - 14 Players Squad for 11 a side 16 players

 
 
 
If individual Coaches can manage larger squads that is their decision but as a Club

we would like to be able to offer football to as many children as is possible within

 

these guidelines.

 

Thanks - ClubPerson of the month

Dom Corley - arranged for purchase and set up of the new Goals at Waverton playing

fields.

 
 
He raised the following contributions - £250 Waverton village hall, £250 Waverton Fete,
 

£100 Waverton FC - £600 of £912 total cost!

He, with Jason Roberts, then installed the new goals. Thanks to Dom and Jason.

Treasurer Update

MS in MB’s absence

Balance on account is circa £20k - subscriptions banked

However, No expense including pitch hires gone out yet

Next Monday - need to have to Brio Coaches details who use facilities/their qualifications!

Mike B needs from Alison/Geoff - Phil may be able to assist?

Action - Phil agreed to speak with Brio to clarify

2. Team Updates

Those Coaches present gave some insight on current squads - apologies if any highlights

missed.

 

 

Under 7s - RS explained good start for under 7s with 2 squads performing well. Plan is to

split to 3 squads in new year due to 28 boys now signed up. Discussions with league about

3 divisions to reflect mixed abilities as currently not aligned which not helping development

of players.

 
 

Under 9s - CB has been running a development squad outside of his team which is resulting

in another new team - again for the New Year. 4 teams now within our under 9 section

 
 
Under 12s have had good wins in the Cup & Shield both triumphing 9-0 against Groves &

Upton.

 
Our under 18s continue to perform well with a squad of 17 - a great effort to have so many in 

the squad at this age

 
 

Our Girls football is a real success story - we now have teams at u18, u15, u13, u11 and u9.

 

The girls are competing well across Cheshire and supply a number of representative sides.

3. Standard Charter

 
 

Geoff Elvey wasn’t present but had shared documents on requirements for next level of

Standard Charter. Some clarity required around benefits but all present agreed it was

something we should prepare ourselves to deliver on.

 
 
Amongst other things a Club business plan will be required and also links with a professional club.  However the majority of requirements are in place - we just need to stay on top of all

Action - to be represented at next meeting. MS said he would speak with Chester FC which
 

has happened and they are supportive.

4. New Club website

Phil Lathean has tidied up the existing website, made sure content relevant and has been
 

updating new articles.

 
 

However he has also been trialling “Pitchero” and proposed that the more professional look,

ease of use, and added features means it would be preferable to move all over to this.

There are costs which need to be finalised but likely to be between £500-£1000.

All present agreed with move to Pitchero and Phil agreed to pick up with Mike Binns re
 

costs.

Further update at next meeting which will include administration of site.

5. Any other business

(i) Phil raised opportunity for Coaches 5-a-side at 3G Wednesdays 8.30-9.30 as slot not

being used.!

Email to be sent to all

(ii) Simon Smith will present on fund-raising event at next meeting

 

 
 
Next meeting to be held in January 17 
 
 

Mike

Mike Stanley
Chairman
AFC Waverton
07980 723865
 
 
 
 
 
 

THIS WEEKEND - SAT 7 JANUARY

Hi all

Training is on this Friday as usual.

Our 5^th Chester Shield Match as follows:

SAT 7 JAN  - HOME V ELLESMERE PORT RANGERS, 10:30 KO (so 10AM arrival) at Waverton Primary School, Common Lane, Waverton.  

Rested players are Bailey, Alex and Fin.

If anyone is unavailable please let me know ASAP so we can shift things about.

Best regards

Rob