Eagles u11 Gold - 07/08 Season
Contact:
Rob Bates - 0789 055 0095 - rob_bates102@tiscali.co.uk
Peter Butler - 0797 173 4545 - t.volland2@ntlworld.com
Match Reports:
Gold’s back on track
A brief re-cap of the last four games;
A disputed refereeing decision turned the county cup match on its’ head. At 2-1 up the ref gave a penalty against us that surprised even our opponents! This got Panshanger back into a game we were beginning to look like commanding. Full time score 3-3 would’ve meant a point in a league game, but the lottery which is extra-time saw the Welwyn side score first, which proved to be crucial. The final score hardly reflected the game, in which we lead three times.
Gold’s got straight back to winning ways after the unfortunate extra-time defeat, last week, in the County Cup.
Our opponents were Biggleswade, in a League cup fixture at our home venue.
But, although dominant, we made hard work of beating a Biggleswade team who never had a shot on target, and it is slightly worrying that the two players who won the players and parent’s votes for Man of the Match were both defenders.
There were some encouraging performances though, particularly from players played in new positions,
Harry put us ahead mid-way through the first period with a nicely taken goal. He showed a cool confidence in drawing the keeper before a sweet side-step left the keeper wrong-footed and the goal at his mercy. Harry just doesn’t miss such opportunities.
The remainder of the first half passed without too much memorable action, although there was some evidence of encouraging link-up play from players performing in new positions. Brad and Jack played in alternate positions and linked up well together on a few occasions. They also joined in some right-wing attacks with Georgie B, Harry and Perry, and the promise of forging a group understanding of one-two’s, triangles and following your pass was nice to observe.
On the opposite flank Charlie and Callum are beginning to show an improved awareness regarding supporting and covering, and all this was being overseen with a cool calmness from Big George and HVB.
Kieran and H are also showing a good understanding of the offside rule, (particularly for 10 year olds) and it’s great to see them bending and timing their runs.
On the 25th Nov we played Biggleswade again, this time at their venue in a league match.
A sliced clearance, which ran back to the goalkeeper, was penalised by the referee, when HVB, (playing in goal as a last-minute replacement for the unwell HP,) picked the ball up.
The resulting free-kick, given inside the 6-yard box, was blasted high into the net by the Biggleswade centre-half.
Although our lads toiled against the windy conditions, any headway they made was often halted by decision making from the official.
The score remained at 1-0, resulting in our first league defeat, and dropped points, of the season.
On the 2nd Dec we played Letchworth Whites in a game we knew would be tough, having played them earlier in the season.
It proved to be a tense affair, particularly early on, when the Whites had a couple of attacks which looked threatening.
In our first meaningful attack, almost half-way through the first period, Sam opened the scoring, sweeping in from close range after a good run and cut-back from Georgie B.
We doubled our lead almost immediately when a penalty was awarded for a mis-timed challenge on Sam. George B dispatched the spot kick.
This flurry of activity stirred our opponents into action, and our back four had to be committed in the tackle as our opponents too seemed to relish the physical battle. Despite commendable attempts at a last ditch tackle from Brad and Charlie, the opposing forward recovered his feet first to slot the ball past the despairing dive of HP.
Half time came at a good time for Gold’s, as Whites were showing signs of a recovery. The first goal in the second period could well prove important.
It turned out we were to score that all important goal, when Perry finished off a nice move to put us 3-1 up.
Some of our players started relishing the muddy conditions, and Georgie B turned in what proved to be a match winning contribution in the last 20 minutes. He grabbed the game by the scruff and totally dominated proceedings in the midfield, and this in turn inspired others around him. He had a hand in the next two goals, whilst almost scoring himself.
Jack and Sam were a constant menace and worked terrifically hard, and H was showing signs of adding to his seasons tally, a couple of half-chances falling to him on his weaker foot unfortunately.
Jack finished confidently to put us 4-1 up, and although the Whites forwards always looked dangerous on the break, (indeed scoring from one such break-away to make the score 4-2,) Gold’s were beginning to look dominant and spent long periods in the opposition half.
Harry had a good left-foot effort saved by Whites outstanding goalie, but Perry appeared, as he so often does, at the back post, to lift the ball over the out-stretched keeper for 5-2.
There was still time for Brad and HVB to make some timely interventions, and Charlie made an exceptional last minute covering challenge towards the end of the game.
There was still time for one last piece of action, as George’s mazy run was brought to an end as he was taken down in the area. The penalty was taken by Luke, who had battled and linked up well since his introduction, and who had unselfishly passed on a couple of occasions when he was entitled to shoot.
Unfortunately his spot-kick wasn’t far enough to the keepers left, and although the rebound fell to Luke again, Whites keeper made another decent save, pushing the ball round the post for a corner.
This was a good result against decent opposition, and hopefully signals our return to winning ways.
Well done lads, and well played, both Gold’s and Whites!
OH MY GOLD !!
Supporters and players alike were brought to earth with a bump after Sunday’s performance against Royston, after what was arguably our worst performance so far this season. But, We still managed to win, which means we are sole leaders at the top of the table, pulling 2 points clear of nearest rivals Baldock.
We ground out an important win, against a team we historically struggle to beat, despite the fact they produced what was by far THEIR best performance of the season. (So said their supporters.)
On the attacking front, Harry and Kieran were busy and looked likely to cause the opposition plenty of problems. Our wide-men, Jack and Sam were also involved on the flanks. George B tried to open the game up on several occasions with bursts down the wing, but was well marshalled by Royston’s best defender.
Perry was involved in most things we attempted to build, but worked particularly hard breaking down our opponents' attacks, and had an outstanding first half.
Although our defence looked steady early on, it was caught napping by Royston’s first attack of the game. We were caught too high up the pitch and too square. Two opposing attackers broke through and H.P was left with little chance, although he was unfortunate for the goal to go in through his legs.
All credit to our lads though, as, despite this set-back, they battled gamely even though our game lacked fluidity. We built a few encouraging attacks which broke down round the edge of their box, and were awarded numerous corners.
We were caught offside too on quite a few occasions, and had one goal disallowed because of this. Our equaliser came from one of the few cohesive moves we managed to construct in the first half. Perry and Harry were alongside each other, on the edge of the box, as a defender closed on Perry, who had possession. He played a sweet, shrewd pass round the back of the advancing defender, which Harry met round the other side before finishing emphatically.
Although the linesman flagged for offside he was over-ruled by the referee.
Half- time came without any more incident, and the players and supporters alike hoped Rob’s team talk would inspire them to an improved second-half performance.
Callum was brought into the fray, and what an inspired substitution it proved to be!
Mid way through the second period, (having had another goal disallowed due to an opponent suffering an asthma attack halfway through the move) we scored what ended up being the winning goal.
Royston only managed to clear a corner to the edge of their box, where Callum latched onto it, smashing a sweet half-volley into the roof of the net from fully 20 yards! What a peach! We continued to be the better team, although for some reason we seemed to lack confidence as a unit. Our defence caused us some heart-stopping moments on a couple of occasions, by making mistakes not normally associated with them. HVB appeared in the nick of time on a couple of occassions to make timely interventions, and HP also instilled confidence with his assured handling.
The last 12 minutes seemed like thirty, and the final whistle couldn’t come quick enough, but, eventually, a hard-earned three points were in the bag, regardless of the performance.
We had made lots of chances, we limited them to very few, and we won! The opposition played about as well as they are capable, and yet we still ground out a result. A couple of players had an ‘off’ day but a couple of others hit a bit of form, just when needed. And THAT is the sign of a good team.
Finally, I also think it deserves mentioning that our lad’s do not resort to: cheating, diving or disputing decisions with the referee, and long may that remain. One of the opposition players did all three, which reflects badly on him, but also on those who condone such behaviour, or do nothing to address it. We showed class and dignity by not resorting to their dirty tricks, but by grafting and EARNING the win.
Well done lad’s!
GOLD TOP
Letchworth Golds went top of the table by the end of play on Sunday, even though for the first 10 minutes of their game versus Buntingford the fixture looked anything but top versus bottom.
Although players were performing well individually we weren’t operating as a team. Things were disjointed, the final pass was missing and there was an air of over-confidence.
Buntingford kicked off to start the game, and straight away built an attack, catching us cold. As they advanced through the middle their forward was stopped in his tracks, quite literally, by a crunching tackle from HVB.
Slowly there were encouraging signs as Brad and George F began playing football from the back, whilst also seemingly conducting their own tackling competition.
George B did what he does so often, unleashing a couple of trademark thunderbolts from fully 20 yards, (one of which the opposing keeper couldn’t hold,) and scoring the opener, once again.
Kieran doubled our lead soon afterwards, outpacing the defenders before drawing and rounding the keeper expertly and slotting into an empty net.
Many of Buntingford’s attempted attacks were balls over the top, which, encouragingly, were cut out emphatically with some excellent headed clearances from Brad and Charlie.
Our third goal was a peach! George F made a marauding run down the right wing, using his strength and speed to good effect. He then sent over a superb ball to the back post, which Perry finished clinically.
HP made light of any work he had to do, smothering well at an attackers feet on one occasion. He showed a good command of his area, good awareness and talked well. His handling and distribution were very good, particularly his throwing.
Goal number four came with Kieran’s second of the game. Again he used his strength well, bursting through a couple of defenders, and doing as he did with his first goal, drawing the keeper before rounding him, and crashing the ball home.
Sam was introduced just before half-time and quickly made his presence felt, joining well in the attacks.
Half-time came with us 4-0 up, but Rob left the players in no doubt as to his disappointment with their first half display, or his expectations for the second half.
After a quiet first half by his standards, Harry began to impose himself on the game. He found his shooting boots early into the second period, and curled a superb goal into the top right corner of the goal from the left-hand side of the area.
Substitutions and positional changes were made with some frequency, with George F looking influential when moved into midfield and looking certain to open his goal-scoring account.
Jack was tried at right back where he battled and linked up commendably. Brad and Perry were paired up as centre-halves, and Callum had a run at left back.
Han-Ting made an encouraging appearance, showing confidence when handling and kicking well. On one occasion he narrowed the angle particularly well before making a decent save, and then distributed well with an excellent throw-out to the wing.
HP was given the opportunity to enjoy himself in midfield, where he showed an astute understanding of good positioning. On several occasions he cut out opposition goal kicks to set up attacks of our own, and was unfortunate to have a goal chalked off.
As the Gold’s built up a head of steam Luke and Lee were getting involved in attacks and looked candidates to score, both battling well and getting into some excellent positions.
Gold’s were attacking with some regularity now, and had several corners which resulted in goal-mouth action. One scramble in particular lasted what seemed an age, with Lee, Perry, Luke and HVB all somehow denied, before the opposition keeper, (who was having a blinder) punched the ball off Sam’s head as he leapt to score at the back post.
On the odd occasion Buntingford threatened it was a joy to see our defenders supporting each other. On one occasion Brad chased back, surrounded by attackers, and slid in to thwart them. As he did so HVB appeared at his side to tidy up the pieces. Later on George worked back to make a last- ditch tackle which Perry cleared up.
After another Gold corner was only cleared to the edge of the box, HVB finished confidently with a powerful drive into the bottom corner, a strike any forward would be proud of.
This goal was quickly followed by another as Sam pounced on a loose ball 12 yards out and smashed home for his first goal of the season. This was a deserved reward for his good effort down the wing, where he gave their full –back a torrid time and linked well with George and Harry.
Buntingford’s keeper produced another piece of goalkeeping heroics, making a superb double save. He dived to parry a goal-bound effort before somehow reaching back and clawing the ball from behind him whilst in mid-air! (A-la David Seaman for Arsenal v’s Sheff Utd in FA cup semi final.)
His reward?
Harry lashing the rebound high into the net!
A bad decision from the linesman and referee denied HP a goal. Sam chased a through ball to the by-line and supplied a sweet cross which HP tapped in, only for the linesman to flag the ball out of play and the ref blow for a goal kick.
A similar move in the last attack of the game resulted in Lee poaching a goal at the back-post, which he finished emphatically. This was followed by a frenetic chase to catch and congratulate him!
There were some good performances from our lads, and by the end of the game Gold’s were rampant. George B was delivering some exemplary passes, whilst Harry and Sam played some good one-two’s. Jack and Perry were also beginning to link up well. Brad is proving to be Mr Consistent, whilst HP proved he is no back-number when it comes to playing on pitch.
But I think the supporters got it right in awarding Man of the Match to George F, who had an outstanding game.
Players vote for MOM was a tie between George F and Sam, who also turned in a top class performance. Well done lads!!!!
GOLDS ON A ROLL
Continuing our excellent start to the season, we dispatched the previously unbeaten Letchworth Yellows 4-0, hitting the woodwork three times into the bargain.
Golds made a good start and could have been two goals up before we actually did score, Kieran and Harry both coming close.
Our first goal came from Kieran and was richly deserved both for the team and the individual. Kieran’s work ethic is second to none, and his link-up play was outstanding. He drew the keeper before coolly slotting the ball home.
Callum and Jack were working terrificly in the wide areas, offering us width whilst involving themselves in the midfield battle and linking well during our numerous attacks.
Perry and George B were proving to be a formidable barrier in front of the defence, where HVB and George F harness their physical presence with a steely determination to thwart any opposition attacks. Charlie proved to be having the busiest time of the defenders, but he coped well and battled admirably. But all-in-all the defence were quite comfortable and HP was rarely threatened.
Gold’s second goal came after a free-kick was awarded to us, 25yards out on the left wing. Batesy pinged in a beautiful cross which somehow evaded everybody, but due to its accuracy, sped through into the bottom corner.
Harry was later denied by a post which meant we went in at half-time 2-0 up, when three or four nil would’ve been a truer reflection of our dominance.
The second half saw the introduction of Sam L on the right wing and he immediately carried on where Jack had left off – battling well defensively whilst linking up well in the attacks and giving the opposition full back a torrid time.
The game continued much the same way as the first-half, with Bradley putting in a couple of timely tackles and the back four remaining almost impenetrable. George F and HVB along with Charlie were terrier like in their defensive duties.
Any shots on goal were comfortably dealt with by HP, whose handling and positioning instilled confidence in everybody, players and supporters alike.
Perry was proving to be a pain in the backside for most of the opposition midfield – breaking down attacks before they could be built, whilst also helping to orchestrate our own, and halfway through the 2nd period he scored the goal his performance deserved. Running through from 30 yards out, he drew the keeper before clipping the ball in off the left upright.
Luke and Lee were introduced to the fray and continue to show their improvement, getting involved immediately and contributing well. Other players were rolled on and off in an effort to give them the opportunity to rest before being tried in an alternative position.
For me, the Gold’ 4th goal epitomised what this team is capable of.
The opposition built what was looking like their most threatening attack of the game, and as their striker pulled the trigger from just 12yards out Bradley arrived to put in a superb last-ditch tackle. The ball ricocheted across the box where Charlie collected it and carried it towards halfway. Some link-up play involving Charlie, Batesy and Perry resulted in Jack being put through on the edge of the area. He was challenged by a defender and just as it looked as though the attack had broken down Batesy read the situation and pounced on the loose ball, before expertly drawing and rounding the keeper, and finishing with a superb goal from the tightest of angles. The transition from defence to attack was instant and the whole process was completed in less than a minute! A truly special goal!
We had continued to press throughout the 2nd half and with a little more luck could have added goals through Jack, Sam, Callum, Harry, Kieran and George.
By the end of the game we were truly dominant, and all 15 involved produced a thoroughly proficient performance. Hopefully the lads will enjoy their football whilst continuing to develop and improve their game.They are dealing with the transition from 7-a-side and learning the offside rule admirably.
I think I speak for all the parents/spectators when I say how enjoyable it is watching these boy’s play.
Well done lads and keep it up!
Lastly, thanks and well done to Rob and Pete, whose efforts are often taken for granted. You are both appreciated and you should be proud of your achievements so far.