“We was NOT robbed” Could this rag tag bunch of young men upset the footballing world …. Oh yes they could.

The drama to the cup final started on the Saturday night, Keith was at home checking his game plans and drinking hot Chocolate when suddenly the phone rang. It was Josh’s dad, Josh had come down with flu we had no keeper for Sunday. Keith phoned Nick and tried to convince him that he could play in goal and be Josh as he looked so young or was it the same height……. Anyway it was never going to happen and Frankie Fox volunteered to go in goal.

We all arrived in good time how ever we did have a bit of nightmare with the whole kit situation what with the Club presentation day to follow that afternoon so we played in our “Third Kit” Blue tops, Yellow Shorts and Black socks, not our most professional look. I got say the opposition  thought they were going to walk it……

Team started with Frankie     Morgan, Tom,Connor, Dubaye    Charne,Kevin, Sam,Carl,    Archie & Mario Sub Saul

We started well and played the better football, however we kept giving then chances with miss placed passes. On our first corner Charney flashed one in and the opposition smuggled it away. Very Soon we got another and this time Sam put it well into the box. The balled pinged around in the area and suddenly it fell to Morgan who buried it in the roof of the net 15 mins gone 1.0.

Now that was the easy was bit done, we knew they would come back . Frankie came out well a few times but one occasion he missed the ball at least it made the man push it too long who ran it out. Dubaye battled all day with their number 10 and used his pace to get us out of trouble a few times.

Tom swept well in the middle all day allowing Connor to be the ball playing centre half who attacked the first ball and kept pushing us forward with his passing. With 15 minutes to go and us under a bit of pressure down the right. Keith too Mario off for a rest, pushed Carl right up top and sent Saul on to sure things up. It worked a treat. You held out well and finished the half well at 1.0.

Second half. Charney came off for a rest and Saul moved to the right with Mario down the left wing the rest stayed the same. They came much more at us and i think they were playing three upfront trying to get the early goal. You weathered the storm but not without some scares. First they thought they scored from a corner but the ball went out first, Second a great cross found their striker unmarked who instead of control and shoot decided to over head volley aka “FIFA” and it went wide, Finally  Frankie decided to bounce the ball off the post and catch ……

But that’ not to say we were outplayed Kevin and Sam had a great second half and it was a break away that Kevin got too that created the penalty. Kevin’s first shot was blocked when he should of scored but followed it up for the defender to use his are PENALTY !!

Tom stepped forward right foot bottom left corner goal……. 2.0

I think they had one more real chance where they got past Frankie but slid the ball wide, Not long after Sam went on a great run that end with the ball in the side netting, Archie chased a lost cause and ended up with a good shot on the turn that went just over and Charney nearly robbed  their keeper but it went just wide, Charney also produced one of the best defensive headers to clear a dangerous corner.

You actually saw the game out well. Carl took the ball into the channels and the rest of you never stopped working or chasing, you were all fantastic.

Final score 2.0

One word of warning – Now we know you can play like that we want to see it more often

So off we went to Wingate for presentation day. It was great too see Louie who couldn’t make the game. Keith gave you all a little speech each of you a medal. Keith then announced the main awards:

Players Player of the Year : Sam

Managers Player of the Year: Morgan

Well done both of you

Tomorrow is training at the Rugby ground see you all there 🙂

The score didn’t really reflect the play they broke on the counter attack four times to score.

Keith started with the following:

Josh

Frankie, Tom, Patrick, Dabaye,

Charne, Sam, Connor , Kalid

Archie,Kevin

Carl arrived just after K.O. ….

So the game started and we pressured well Connor’s shot deflected back to him , he passed to Charney who smashed it home, good goal. we continued to play the better football but too often our passes went astray. It was from one of these we conceded the equalizer. Still we had the pressure Sam was unlucky , Connor had a shot just wide, but i felt we were acceptable to the long ball and so it proved  as a long ball over the top caught us out and it was 2.1 half time.

Second half we had the pressure and after the third corner in a row  the pressure told Tom from the left hand side in a “Van Basten” moment screamed it home,( Yeah you wish)

Anyway back in the game but suddenly we gave two goals away in 5 mins Tom & Josh and really it was beyond us. From then we had all the pressure but to be honest the goalie didn’t have a save to make.

You must put the ball in early ! Do not give the defense time to get back !!! we attacked so often but didn’t get the ball in the penalty box.

Wingers you need to put the ball in early don’t worry if the forwards are not there (but they will be) a defensive error can lead to goals or will break to midfielders coming in.

Keith’s MotM was Sam – Worked hard all match and was a constent threat. some really good footwork and passing outwide.

OK so thing to learn for next week

Wingers early, early balls work the back four . Forwards the same close them down and give the no time.

Centre mids keep to your side trust your partners, but most of all go with the runners.

Defenders look to the wingers pass the ball out (you all can), Alternate between early throws on down the line or to feet/back.

But most of all do your best, encourage each other and be proud in how you played.

Next Week team is :

Josh
Mario Connor Tom Morgan

Louie Sam Carl Charne
Archie Kevin

Subs
Saul Kalid Frankie Patrick Dabaye

Watford Friendly League 2014 Cup Finals @ Harvesters FC

U13 SPRING TROPHY FINAL

HADLEY WOOD HERONS v BURNT OAK RANGERS

Sunday 11th May 2014 kick off 3.15pm check in time 2.30pm

Address :OAKLANDS LANE
SMALLFORD
NEAR ST ALBANS
HERTS
Postcode :AL4 0HR
Telephone :
Directions :From Watford / M25 :

See you all there  and then for end of season presentation !!!!!