Afternoon everyone that was a cold wet morning.

Today’s squad Frankie, Bucks, Morgan, Edonis, Louis, Saul, Arlind, Connor, Joel, Theo, Reynolds, Tom, Gabe, Joey and Jack.

To be honest it was a training session for you, but i was pleased in the way you all approached the game and some of the football played. I was also pleased we kept a clean sheet and that Frankie, Morgan and Edonis kept switch on for a game they had little defending to. (Frankie must of been Frozen) !!

So the match starts we are on the attack straight away. In the first couple of minutes the ball must of rolled across the six yard box twice and no one was there to apply the finish. With five minutes gone Louis chips the ball into box and Connor turns on the volley to score 1.0

Next fifteen minutes was one way traffic, we hit the bar twice and the keeper made a few blocks and the defense two or three last ditch tackles. Connor could of completed a hat trick and we spurned  a whole host of opportunities.

Twenty minutes gone and Nick rings the changes and pay instantly  Gabe feeds Reynolds and he finish well 2.0

Now to be honest it all a bit blurry from here but i will give it a go.

Joey takes a corner swings it in and Tom rifles home 3.0

Frankie drop kick maybe a flick on through to Reynold who runs it in 4.0

Gabe picks the ball up on the right feeds Reynolds 5.0 (Hat trick)

Gabe pounces on a mistake by the keeper 6.0

Joey individual mazey run 7.0 HT

Nick stressed at the start of the second we  needed to keep our shape and i was pleased you all took it on board.

Connor followed up a Gabe shot to score 8.0

Penalty someone was pulled back by the shirt Connor scored the Penalty 9.0 (Hat trick)

Reynolds popped up on the right wing to drive the ball across goal to the opposite corner 10.0

Next 10 minutes all got a bit sloppy Saul got a little Saulie !!!! as he must of set up 4 chances that no one seemed to want to convert.

Eventually the pressure paid off and Connor delivered a corner that Saul met with a thumping header. all was OK again in the Saul world !!! 11.0

Last ten and Nick made a host of changes and gave people a chance  in various positions.

Louis crossed and Edonis stabbed home from 2 yards as soon as he came on 12.0

Jack ran the ball in the middle played it forward for Joey to get his second 13.0

Morgan should of scored but a out stretch leg stopped him. anyway too close for Morgan he saves it for 60 Yard specials.

Our back four at one point was Gabe, Edonis, Reynolds and Theo …….

Gabe came off saying he knew he should of scored a lot more, don’t worry Gabe there will be more important games when we will need those goals. Anyway full time 13.0

MoTM

Today i was pleased to see the hard work that was put in. Arlind had a really good first half, won the ball in midfield and played some nice balls forward. Joel had a good game at both left back and midfield probably should of scored at least one of his chances. Frankie for not freezing to death and keeping a clean sheet. But Today MoTM went to Reynolds he came back form a poor performance last week to really put a shift in. Scored 3 goals when he played up top and another from right midfield and even played right back and centre half for the last five minutes to give an all-round performance for the Team !

Lastly to you all well done, You played where you were asked to play and no one moaned. There was a lot of talking on the pitch and encouraging one another. Lets keep that up. The parents thanks for all braving today !

Training tomorrow, Please let Nick or myself know if you cannot make it. I did here that there are some School matches on tomorrow.

Any old kit or Hoodies please give back to Nick or myself.

Today’s squad Frankie, Saul, Morgan, Edonis, Bucks, Tom, Connor, Louis, Joey, Jed, Gabe, Reynolds, Joel, Chris and Arlind.

A Game at Last (Saul was happy) !!!!!!!

A good morning to play football as the weather had broke a bit. The pitch not to bad considering the rain and snow in the last six weeks, a bit of surface water in the middle and the wings very slippery.

The game actually started very slowly with both teams making a few mistakes in the opening minutes. Suddenly we broke down the left and Saul drove into the box and had his heels clipped and then he did the splits!!! Penalty……… so two minutes gone and Tom calmly put the ball to the keepers left. 1.0

Very soon after we get out second corner of the match, Jed whips the ball into the box it bounces around the keeper parries but only straight to Connor who passes it into the net 2.0 But to be honest we hadn’t got going yet.

Next ten minutes we had a few more chances their keeper made two or three fantastic saves. Jed was unlucky with a shot across the goal and Gabe had one cleared off the line. The next ten minutes it was pressure from Brady and they got a penalty, Tom turned back into trouble and the striker robbed him of the ball as he drove into the box we still had a couple chances to clear but instead we caught the striker Penalty……. The forward also put the penalty to Frankies left and he nearly got a hand to it 2.1

Next ten minutes was more pressure from Brady yes we looked dangerous on the attack with Chris causing problems but we kept creating our own problems trying to be too clever in our half. Again we had two or three chances to clear yet we didnt, the ball came out to the forward who shot hit the underside of the crossbar and bounced in. 2.2 it was a great shot. (Saul was not happy).

Last five minutes a bit scrappy, Frankie made a excellent one on one save, the ball got cleared and we broke upfield. the ball was played in on the right Tom flicked the ball on and Saul volleyed in the near post. A really good goal. (Saul was now content to pleased) Half Time 3.2

That was a really important goal just before the break, 1) get our confidence back and 2) knock them a bit.

Second half started again a very cagey affair but we were on the attack straight away. Chris and Gabe both unlucky with a couple chances. Frankie swept really well behind the defence and the defence lets say stepped up their game after a indifferent first half. With about 15 minutes of they had a corner Frankie claimed the ball and kicked it out to Gabe on the wing who controlled the ball and drove into the box and calmly finished. A assist from Frankie but good strength and trickery from Gabe. 4.2

Very soon after this the game was effectively killed off again the ball played up to Gabe who collected on the edge of the box, he drove into the area and finished well. 5.2

Next goal again from a Brady corner, Connor won the ball in defense and did a reverse pass up the wing to Chris who picked it up and ran 60 yards to goal. Jed sped after him looking for the cross ball back, Instead Chris went for the shot which deflected off a defender with a last ditch tackle, however Jed was rewarded for his run as he passed into a empty net. 6.2 (Saul was Happy again).

Last five minutes and Nick made a host of changes but we probably should of scored two or three more. Chris and Edonis both put over the bar when it seemed they would score. We switched off and Brady scored I think people were just getting onto their positions 6.3 ( Saul not happy at all !!!)

Last minute and Gabe picks the ball up goes round two players and scores a great goal to complete his hat-trick Well done, Best complement i heared was from a Brady parent who compared Gabe to Ibrahimovic ….

Final Score 7.3 (Saul very Happy)

Phew……..What a game to come back on. Yes you all looked a bit rusty but thats six weeks out. The defence ( Morgan,Edonis, Tom, Saul) had a fantastic second half and looked much more in control in that period. Attacking wise Joey, Connor, Gabe, Jed, Chris played great one-twos / triangles pulled the defence all over the place. The Two Louis both helped shore up defence from full back. Joel, Arlind and Reynolds had much better second halfs tracking back and getting forward from the wide areas.

MoTM: Some contenders Frankie, in command today, made a couple of great saves and got assist. Saul worked tirelessly in defence or midfield and scored a cracking goal, But today it went to Gabe his first two goals were really well taken and killed off Brady. He held the ball up well and linked up with all his team mates. Really good match.

Well done all. I  expect this to be the stepping stone that gets the second half of the season off.

Training tomorrow at 6.30 Ashmole.