Eagles u13 Yellows - 08/09 Season
Contact: Terry Morris - 01462 626692 - terrymorris@sky.com
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Match Reports
Match 13 Buntingford Cougars 2 v The Yellows 7
Running the line and compiling a match report is not the easiest task I’ve ever undertaken. And with most of the action taking place at the other end of the pitch from where I was standing, the task was made even harder.
Still, I got to get a good look at our defence in action and also got to see Sam’s best performance of the year in goal. He made three or four saves in the first half that thwarted Buntingford’s ambitions, and did the same in the second when our opponents found some self belief and had a good eight minute spell attacking our goal.
The opening few minutes of the match were a sign of things to come as attack after attack rained down on the Buntingford goal. Much of this was due to complete control in midfield with the impressive Charlie R and Josh at the centre of all things good. Several times, Josh put CJ into space down the left but neither Caspar nor Steven could capitalise. And down the right, Luis offered a similarly potent service.
In fact, it took fifteen minutes before The Yellows scored. A fine shot from Caspar broke the deadlock. Caspar then turned provider, feeding Steven in for his first goal of the game. Two goals up after seventeen minutes and a big score looked on the cards.
To their credit, Buntingford fought back. I know this because I spent about eight minutes of the half sliding up and down my half of the touchline, trying to keep up with play, but also making sure I avoided an ignominious tumble into the mud. To anyone yet to run the line on the far side of the pitch at Buntingford – one word of advice : studs.
From my position, I witnessed a very good defensive performance from Ryan, Adam, Tom, and Blake.
In the second half, I was on the much drier side of the pitch, and again most of the action took place at the far end of the pitch. By now, Oli had moved over to left back and was giving the kind of commanding performance we’ve seen of late, and on the other flank, Chunks was equally resolute, until an injury forced him from the pitch.
Alex had also enjoyed one of his best performances of the season, playing off the main strikers, and utilising his good football brain to good effect throughout his time on the pitch.
Shortly after the break, Charlie R hit a beautiful half volley from about thirty yards that almost broke the net, to put The Yellows in total command of the match.
The Yellows midfield and strikers then relaxed a little too much and the subsequent eight minutes was a fairly uncomfortable period for the defence, who had to work extra hard to keep the Cougars at bay. They did so for a long time, but eventually the pressure told and The Yellows conceded their first goal of the game.
Fortunately this just galvanised the midfield again and Josh and Charlie R took control of the game once more and The Yellows scored four more in an eight minute spell. The first was a lovely goal from Lucas, whose running on and off the ball has improved beyond recognition from the start of the season. Steven then scored two goals, either side of a fine individual effort by Josh, to give him hat trick.
The most impressive aspect of all of this came from The Yellows passing and movement with the ball, and their willingness to close down their opposition when they didn’t have it.
While Buntingford’s manager saw poor passing from his team, I saw anticipation and tenacity from the Yellows. They simply didn’t let their opponents play the game as they wanted to, and this is why The Yellows came out on top.
A bad mistake by the linesman allowed Buntingford to score their second goal. Luckily my error was met with sympathy by the Buntingford manager and parents, but I apologise to The Yellows back line for my awful mistake. I could say it was because I was writing notes on the game at the time, but that would be a lie.
And so the match, and the year ended.
This time last year The Yellows were second from bottom in Division One, this year they are second from top. Even though ‘games in hand’ for two of the teams around us may change that, it’s clear that improvements are being made all over the pitch. And I believe that will continue throughout the season.
Man of the Match – Charlie R. Great overall and a cracking goal!!
With thanks to my timekeeping scribes, Marcus and Dale.
Merry Xmas to one and all.
Match 12 - Bishops Stortford Rangers 2 v The Yellows 8
A heavily depleted squad of just twelve players inflicted the heaviest defeat of the season on Bishops Stortford Rangers in a fine display in atrocious conditions.
With some key players missing, great credit must be due to those who arrived at a rain soaked Bishop Stortford and overwhelmed a Rangers side who possess some strong, enthusiastic, players and a fine goalkeeper.
Indeed it was Rangers who took the lead when a hopeful long shot took a wicked skid on the wet pitch and eluded stand in keeper CJ. Our hosts could have gone further ahead but for a great save from CJ who was quick to get down to push a sharp shot past his post.
But from here, The Yellows took total control of the game with Blake, Adam, Ryan and Chunks building superbly from the back, whilst Alex and Fenton showed great discipline in midfield. After the first reshuffle of a very small pack, Lucas came on for Chris with Luis moving left and almost immediately it paid dividends. Lucas equalised with a fine strikers goal from 8 yards after great work by Luis and the hard working debutant, Steven.
Still, it started to look like ‘one of those days’ when Adam almost broke the bar from 20 yards and the Rangers keeper then made a fine double save. But then Steven started to really control the front line and it was he who put The Eagles ahead with a fine run and left foot shot, low and wide of the keeper.
This was no more than The Yellows deserved as the excessive mud at one end of the pitch showed where all the first half action had occurred.
Half time – Rangers 1 v The Yellows 2
The Yellows dominance continued after the break, although we were reduced to just 11 fit players when Chunks was injured by a couple of really tough tackles.
But goals by Christopher, who had a fine second half, and Lucas, gave the game a more realistic feel. Rangers then pulled one back, after some strange ‘whistling’ by the referee distracted everyone, to make it 4-2.
Fired up by this, The Yellows really turned on the style with fine goals by Lucas for his hat-trick, and Steven. The best of the bunch, though, was a majestic left footed ‘lob’ by CJ, released from his goal keeping duties. Hit from about 20 yards out, it beat everyone in the area after the keeper had made a brave save at the feet of a hat-trick seeking Steven.
Josh then completed the scoring when his enterprising play was rewarded with a fine solo effort.
Full time – Rangers 2 v The Yellows 8
This was a fine display by the lads who made it to the match and shows the progress that this squad is making. We were without a whole backbone of the team today, and many players were asked to play out of position. They all did so superbly and some of the football was terrific to watch. These performances can only build confidence and belief.
MOM Lucas – Best game of the season by far.
Match 11 – Bedwell 1 v The Yellows 4
It took an hour of play for The Yellows to get their first goal against a spirited Bedwell team, after which they could have scored a hatful. Had it not been for a fantastic first half display by Bedwell’s keeper, the goal count to The Yellows would have been much higher. He made three first class saves in the first half, and a fair few in the second, as he fought tooth and nail to keep a clean sheet. One save, from a superb Fenton strike, was as good as I’ve seen all year. Shame for Fenton, because it would have been a great goal.
Bedwell are a good team, with several talented players, but today The Yellows showed how well their pass and move game is developing. There were signs of emerging quality all over the pitch. They aren’t the finished article by any means, but with a little bit of patience this could become a very good side.
On a pitch that holds water faster than a sinking ship, it was a testament to The Yellows discipline that they continued to play the ball on the ground, and use their sharp passing to create their opportunities.
The back four of Oli, Tom, Adam, and Ryan were rock solid once more, and Blake played an incredibly disciplined game just behind his midfield partners. He mopped up plenty of loose balls and set The Yellows attack minded midfielders into motion.
It still took till nineteen minutes of the second half to pass before The Yellows took the lead as Caspar broke through the offside trap and slotted coolly past the keeper, even though the mud did its best to stop the ball crossing the line.
Then Josh took a ball in a similar position and scored what should have been a match winning goal. However, Bedwell weren’t ready to lie down, and they created several chances, one of which found its way into The Yellows goal.
Josh then put the Bedwell defence to the sword once more, but this time he was brought down by a defender for a penalty, which CJ despatched with aplomb. Josh then wrapped up the match with another charge down the left flank, to score a fine individual goal.
I’d like to give Man of the Match to the Bedwell keeper, but this site is for our boys so I’m going to opt for Tom in defence. For seventy minutes, he worked tirelessly against quite a quick opposition front line, in horrendous conditions.
Match 10 - Yellows 5 v Buntingford Cougars 4
A pulsating game ended with The Yellows coming out on top by five goals to four against Buntingford Cougars on a lovely surface at St Christopher’s School.
The first twenty minutes were a little uncomfortable for The Yellows, playing into a vicious wind that they took time to come to terms with. One of the highlights was Chunks, starting for the first time this season. Unfortunately, his game was over after about twenty minutes, as he pulled a thigh muscle. Up until this point, his positioning, tackling, and passing had been first class.
Buntingford took advantage of the flat surface to pass the ball well, and they looked the more likely to score first. However, this was not to be the case. A beautifully worked move down the left flank, instigated by Josh, who delivered a peach of pass to CJ out wide. CJ beat his man, and delivered an inch perfect cross, to Luis who rose majestically into the air and headed it past the Buntingford keeper and into the net
By now, Chris was on the pitch and having his best game of the season. His arrival had an instant effect on the team. A couple of minutes after he came onto the pitch, he opened up the defence, passed to CJ who beat the goalkeeper with a lovely left foot shot.
A minute later, and Buntingford were back in the game with another beautifully worked goal. Two minutes into the second half, and they were level.
Throwing away a two goal lead could have caused The Yellows to panic. Far from it, it just galvanised the whole team, and for the next fifteen minutes they created chance after chance. And eventually, the pressure bore fruit. First, a break and pass by Caspar down the right flank found Chris who calmly slotted it into the net. A couple of minutes later, Blake stormed from midfield, found CJ out wide, who provided a lovely pass to Chris for his second goal.
With all the attacking play (from both sides), it’s easy to forget the part played by The Yellows back four. Adam, Ryan, and Tom, continued their fine form but the real bonus was Oli, who can sometimes appear strangely subdued. Not today, not a bit of it. Today, Oli was quick to the tackle, and even quicker in his attacking play. His passing was from the top drawer. On this form, he is some player.
With renewed vitality, The Yellows created yet more scoring opportunities, but they failed to convert their chances . And then Buntingford struck back to make it 4-3. Maybe the Yellows has become complacent, and they had definitely had the majority of the play. But their opponents fully deserved to still be in the game.
Back came The Yellows. This time it was Charlie R that provided a moment to savour. Taking the ball outside the penalty box, he manoeuvred himself into some space before unleashing a fantastic shot that curled wide of the keeper and into the net to make it 5-3.
Despite their best intentions to see the game killed off, The Yellows energy got the better of them and they lost the ball trying to score again. Once they were saved by the crossbar from a Buntingford shot that deserved a goal, but a couple of minutes later Buntingford scored again to make it 5-4.
Unfortunately, for the spectators, that was it, as the referee blew for the end of the game, but both teams deserve huge credit for such an entertaining match, full of skill and energy from both teams.
Man of the Match goes to Chris for a performance full of tenacity, effort, skill and goals! Long may it continue.
Match 9 Yellows v Stevenage Town Youth B
For the second time this season, The Yellows fell foul to a penalty shootout as they crashed out of The League Cup in the first round. How it ever got to extra time is a complete mystery. But some of the team clearly thought just showing up would be enough to secure a win against second division opponents, which we all know is a very dangerous mind set for a football game.
It all started simply enough. Caspar latched on to a through ball after three minutes and dispatched the ball into the top corner to give The Yellows an early lead. A fine save stopped him getting his second, and a defence splitting pass from Josh to Caspar could have given The Yellows another after seven minutes, but Caspar’s shot across the goalkeeper fell wide by inches.
A fine debut by Blake was the highlight of the first half. His first touch, fine passing, and tenacious spirit gave us all an exciting glimpse of what is to come. And in defence, Tom, Adam, and Ryan, all continued their fine form. But the team lacked any real spark, and a series of misplaced passes kept on offering our opponents opportunities to get back into the match.
And in the second half, that is exactly what happened as Stevenage equalised, and deservedly so. But without too much effort, The Yellows went ahead again, as Lucas latched onto a through ball to make it 2-1.
Yet more incoherent football continued to hamper The Yellows chances of extending their lead and put the game beyond their opponents reach. Some of the players seemed to be running at half speed, some of them seem to have forgotten how to tackle, and some of them clearly forgot it’s a team game.
Yet in amongst the mediocrity, some of the players were working to try and make up for their team mates deficiencies. At the heart of that effort was Josh. In his determination to drive the team forward, he can sometimes get caught out too high up the pitch. But yesterday, his game had the perfect balance. It was, therefore, very harsh on the boy to find himself at the centre of the games most controversial moment.
Having made as near a perfect tackle as I’ve seen all year, Josh was judged to have fouled his opponent, and a penalty was awarded to Stevenage. I can only imagine the referee believed he had used “excessive force” in the tackle, and bemused as we all were, Stevenage equalised shortly after when their player placed the ball on the spot and smashed it into the net.
Another Yellows player who deserves praise was CJ, who had his best game of the season so far. For every minute he was on the pitch, CJ put in 100%. He stuck to the task, gave the team the wide option they needed, made his tackles, tracked back when required, and bombed forward whenever he could. His awareness of those around him was also spot on.
And after the game went into extra time, it was CJ who looked like he’d given The Yellows a decisive lead. A cracking left foot shot, low across the goal, left the keeper with no chance.
In the second half of extra time, Caspar came back on the pitch and within a minute or so scored what had to be the winner. Having beaten his marker(s) to the ball, he turned the goalkeeper inside out and slotted home the ball with aplomb. Quite how he was offside remains a complete mystery. But the man carrying the flag saw it differently and the goal was disallowed.
And in the last minute of the game, a poorly defended corner saw a Stevenage player head the ball past Sam and into the net. Quite understandably, their supporters went bananas, as would have I if it had been my boys who had just scored. Their never say die attitude had seen them through 95 minutes of football on a full sized adult pitch (and don’t get me started on that!!) and got them to a penalty shoot out. They deserved nothing less.
We went into the season, having won two penalty shoot outs in one day, but have since failed to repeat the feat. And as The Yellows trudged off the pitch, facing the ignominy of being defeated by a lower league team, so the Stevenage boys enjoyed well deserved victory. I hope they do well in the Cup. They play the game on the floor, and they will be worthy opponents next year in the first division.
In the meantime, The Yellows need to pick themselves up and move on. The lesson learned yesterday – even the best teams have to earn a victory. If you don’t treat this game with the respect it deserves, you will get bitten, and bitten hard. For those of us old enough to remember such things as cup shocks, remember Leeds losing to Colchester (1971), Arsenal to Wrexham (1992), Newcastle to Hereford (1972), and my personal favourite - Man Utd to Harry Redknapp’s Bournemouth (1984).
Match 8 BSCFC Town v Yellows
A sensational 35 yard strike by ‘Chunks’ was the highlight of a terrific game of football at Bishops Stortford. And judging by the celebrations of his team mates, I doubt there will be a more popular goal scored this year.
With the squad reduced to eleven, this was always going to be a tough ask for The Yellows. But every single one of the players who turned out today should take immense positives from their performance, especially in the second half.
Our hosts are the best passing side I’ve seen this term, and they deserve great credit for the way they manufactured their first half goals, to give them the lead at the half way mark. Up until this point, The Yellows had been strangely muted. They’d played OK, but they lacked a spark, an inspiration, something to get them going.
Whatever happened at half time provided it.
The second half was a completely different game. All of a sudden, it was The Yellows that made every second ball theirs. It was The Yellows that passed and moved with freedom. And it was our hosts who suddenly found themselves on the back foot.
In goal, Sam continued to show us what a good keeper he can be. Brave is a word that could have been invented for Sam. Even after a painful first half, he came back out in the second and put his body on the line whenever necessary. His distribution of the ball was also excellent.
In central defence, Adam and Ryan were immense; tracking their opponents with guile and precision, making the tackle when it counted, and then releasing the ball to a team mate.
Out on the flanks, we saw two extraordinary performances. One from the aforementioned ‘Chunks’, the other from Oli, who walked away with Man of the Match for his second half display. Maldini is a player every young defender should study, and if someone said that this is what Oli has been doing in his spare time, I would not be surprised. For thirty five minutes, he didn’t put a foot wrong. His anticipation, his tackling, and his distribution was first class. If Oli and Chunks can bottle that second half performance, and bring it to every match, they could both be exceptional players.
In midfield, Josh and Charlie R worked their socks off to drag The Yellows back into the game. Their tenacity in the second half was beyond good, it was brilliant. They broke so fast from defensive positions, and it was Josh who put The Yellows on the score sheet, following some fine one touch interplay between Luis, Caspar, and Fenton.
Out on the flanks, Fenton and CJ both had their best games of the season. They ran their opponents into the ground in the second half. They also tackled and harried for all their worth.
And up front, the two smallest players on the pitch, Caspar and Luis, showed how defending from the front can be so effective. I couldn’t keep track of the amount of time they spent sliding into tackles, and then dragging themselves off the floor to pursue another ball. It was inspiring. Their link up play with their midfielders, and each other, was also first class.
Two teams, twenty two players, no substitutes. Ball on the ground, played from the back. Inspired performances all over the pitch.
Looking forward to the rematch.
Did I mention that goal by ‘Chunks’!!
MATCH 7 - YELLOWS 6 – BSCFC RANGERS 2
A dominant first half display, in which The Yellows scored five goals, ensured a comfortable victory over Bishops Stortford Rangers.
After last weeks heroics, too many of The Yellows seemed to think that an easy victory was theirs for the taking, and some of the players were well below par. However, their superiority was such that this didn’t affect the overall result.
After a scrappy opening few minutes, the first goal came as a result of an inspired solo effort by Josh, who tore through the Rangers midfield and defence to place it wide of the opposition keeper.
Much of the good play that followed came down the right flank, as Fenton and Luis started to work the Rangers defence. And on 16 minutes, they got their rewards as a lovely passing move started by Luis, found Fenton out wide. Fenton cut back and put a peach of a ball through to Charlie who slotted home a very cool shot to make it 2-0.
A similar move emanated from a lovely dead ball chip by Tom to Caspar out on the right, who crossed the ball into Luis, to slot the ball past the Rangers keeper. However, their joy was short-lived as the goal was ruled offside.
A couple of minutes later, The Yellows went three up as Caspar took a ball on the edge of the area, turned, and put a vicious shot across the Rangers keeper for a fine goal.
Caspar then turned provider as he cut out wide on the right and put in a lovely cross for Charlie, who blasted it into the net to make it 4-0 to The Yellows. And just before the half ended, Josh sold a lovely dummy on the half way line, burst forward and put in a fine cross for CJ to latch on to. Half time and 5-0 was a fair reflection of The Yellows superiority.
With the game won, the second half proved an irrelevance to The Yellows. They had the opportunity to score a hatful of goals, but poor finishing by several players, combined with a very fine line played by the Rangers defence prevented this happening. The offside count was well into double figures by the end of the match, and The Yellows will have to be smarter if they are to overcome a defence as determined to stop them scoring in the future.
The Yellows did finally manage to score in the second half when a Josh break down the right resulted in a good pass for Adam to slot home. With the game won, The Yellows fell asleep, and allowed their opponents to score two goals in the last ten minutes. But you have to give some praise to the Rangers players for not giving up with the match so stacked against them.
Man of the Match – Caspar - scored one, made one. Never stopped running.
Match 6, FA County Cup Round 2.
The Yellows departed this years County Cup, losing on penalty’s, after a barnstorming performance that was good enough to win the match in regulation time.
How such a fine display emerged only after going two nil down, I will never know. Watching balls bounce is an absolute no-no at this level. On a pitch the size of Wymondley’s, it’s a disaster waiting to happen. And a disaster was what the match looked like being, until a penalty awarded to The Yellows, and struck home by Luis, sparked the entire squad into life.
Everywhere you looked, players were fighting with aggression and commitment to get the ball and keep it. And the more they did this, the more their natural passing game started to hold sway over their opponents.
Unfortunately for The Yellows, they lost Ryan G to a nasty ankle injury just before the break. Ryan had been brilliant again, defending for all his worth against much bigger opponents, who he somehow managed to marshal with such deftness. And with no bones broken, he will hopefully be fit to play sooner than we first thought.
As the players gathered together for half time, there was the feeling that we were watching a pivotal moment in their season. And so it proved. Having said last weeks match was a good one for the spectator, the next half an hour was as good as it gets. Both sides of the touchline must have had hearts in mouths parents gasping at the effort BOTH sides put into trying to win the match. For most of the half, a betting man would have put his money on The Yellows. Tom and Adam were dominant in the centre of defence, magnificently assisted by Oli and Charlie on the flanks. And with Sam having his best game of the season in goal, they were a very difficult unit to break down.
In midfield, the welcome return of Charlie R added a real bite to our play. And with Josh, Chris, CJ, Luis, and Alex all putting in great shifts too, the pressure they exerted on the game really took it’s toll in the second half. Not to be outdone by their team mates, both Caspar and Lucas worked their socks off closing down defenders and chasing every ball that came their way.
An absolutely stunning strike by Charlie R from outside the penalty area brought the game level, and when a goal from Lucas put The Yellows ahead it seemed the tide had turned in their favour.
But almost immediately, our opponents struck back to level the match at three all. Then both goal keepers decided to get in on the act with fine penalty saves. First Sam made a “save of the season” from a sharply struck penalty low to his right, which would have sealed the game for Wymondley, and then at the other end, a fine save from a Luis penalty that would have given the game to The Yellows.
All in the space of five minutes or so.
And there was yet more drama to come. As the final whistle blew a sickening collision between Charlie and a Wymondley attacker, saw a second player make a visit to the A and E department. Horrible as it was to see, it was yet more evidence of the sheer effort both teams were putting into the game. We all wish the Wymondley player a swift recovery.
Luckily for The Yellows, Charlie was fit to play in the twenty minutes extra time that followed. And if he hadn’t already put his mark on the Man of the Match award, his play in extra time put it beyond doubt. For someone nursing a sore head, he must have headed the ball at least fifteen times in the next twenty minutes. Charlie has been a little off par this season, due to illness. But yesterday he was an absolute rock in defence, and his play jumped to another level.
And so, after extra time came and went, we arrived at the dreaded penalty shoot out, which is where this years County Cup comes to an end. And for those of us lucky enough to be there, we witnessed a real mark of intent by The Yellows, and I for one, am looking forward to seeing where that takes them in the coming months.
Man of the Match, Charlie (“Chunks”). Simply magnificent.
5/10/08 - Match 5 - Stevenage Barca 3 v Letchworth Yellows 2
A depleted Yellows squad ran out of steam against Stevenage Barca in the pouring rain at the Cricket Ground, enduring an undeserved defeat by three goals to two. Even still, it took a penalty to separate the two teams, following stand in goalkeeper Charlie’s confusion over the back pass rule. Charlie had played a very solid match in between the sticks, making several fine saves, but there was nothing he could do to stop a very well taken penalty.
The Yellows started the match very brightly, and were rewarded for their play when Caspar nipped in behind the Barca back four, and hit a fine left footed shot that seemed destined for the net. For a second, the post seemed to have robbed him, but the ball found its way onto the back of the diving keeper and bounced back into the net. Eight minutes gone and all going well.
For the rest of the half, The Yellows seemed determined to allow Barca back into the game, and despite strong work from the back four of Oli, Adam, Tom, and Ryan, and a couple of good saves from Charlie, this is exactly what happened. In the 20th minute, Barca equalised.
In the second half several players showed us what talent they have when they really put their minds to it. Luis was excellent again out on the right, and on several occasions he linked well with players such as Alex, Josh and Fenton to drive the team forward. On several occasions, The Yellows played some wonderful passing football, stretching the opposition all over the pitch. What it lacked was a finishing touch, but that will come. And as the second half progressed so the rain turned into a tropical storm!!
To their credit, Barca also played their part in a fine game of football. It’s a real pleasure to see two teams battling it out in the rain without resorting to the long ball that would have been a real temptation in this weather. If I see a better game of football this year between two teams of this age, I will be surprised.
Disaster struck for the Yellows twenty minutes into the second half when a fine passing move by Barca unlocked the Yellows defence. However, this just spurred them on to fight back, and fight back they did. With a move started in their own half by Caspar, whose perfect lay off to Josh was matched by a visionary pass out wide on the left to Chris. He cut inside his marker and fed Lucas for a fine goal, scored with the outside of his foot at a very acute angle. It was the best bit of passing play by either side and fully deserved a goal.
Game on!!
For the next few minutes both sides had their chances.
But one player shone out in the pouring rain and that was Adam. Moving him to centre back could be a really inspired decision. His reading of the game was a class above the rest. Time after time he broke up Barca moves. And when he broke forward, he was a real hand full. His work rate seemed to inspired those around him.
I think the back four are developing very well, and with Tom and Adam an invaluable partnership is developing.
And then came that unfortunate penalty. But even though it was late in the game, The Yellows did not give up until the final whistle.
All the players put in a really hard shift today, and were desperately unlucky to lose. But positive signs are emerging. But for the best game I’ve ever seen from the young man, Adam is my Man of the Match.
Match 4 – Biggleswade United Youth 2 v Letchworth GCE Yellows 5
A storming performance by Josh spared the Yellows any blushes as they rode out winners against a spirited Biggleswade team by five goals to two.
But for Josh’s determination to pull the Yellows back into the game after they conceded two shock goals around the fifteen minute mark, this could have been a very bad away day.
Playing on a small pitch is no excuse. The Yellows simply drifted through the first twenty minutes, allowing ball after ball to pass them by. If I’d been a Biggleswade parent, I would have wondered why I hadn’t won the Euro Millions on Friday, such was the generosity of the Yellows players.
But then Josh stepped forward, took the ball and the game by the scruff of the neck, and rescued the game for his team. His first was a master-class in control and aggression, as he charged past flailing defenders and posted his intent by smacking it past the keeper. His second was a scruffier affair, and the last touch was from a Biggleswade defender, but the ball was goal bound from the moment it left Josh’s foot, so he will be getting the goal.
The second half was a very different affair as The Yellows challenged for every ball, and started to exert the kind of pressure that allowed them to control the game rather than chase it. From Caspar at the front to the four at the back, they didn’t let Bigglsewade have time on the ball, and the rewards came their way.
A scrappy third from Alex, followed by the fourth, and the best of the day from Josh, saw the game put beyond our opponents. The fifth again resulted from pressure high up the pitch, as Lucas pounced on a through ball, kept his head, and placed it wide of the on rushing keeper.
The Yellows must take the lessons they learned today, and at Wymondley, into their next few matches. You have to stake an early claim to every game. You have to put the opposition under intense pressure, and then, and only then, can you control matches.
Man of the Match – Josh.
21st Sept 08. Herts Challenge Cup Round 1
Aldenham Panthers 2, Letchworth GCE 13
The yellows travelled to the leafy part of Hertfordshire for this County cup first round tie and a delightful village called Shenley which even the sat nav had trouble finding. But the Yellows swept aside a spirited Aldenham team to advance into the second round by a resounding 13-2 scoreline. Hats off though to our hosts who never stopped trying. It was quickly apparent that the Yellows were a class above their opponents but we still had to play a very nice passing game to create chances against a team that may have lacked experience but sure made up for it in constant spirit and determination.
Only 12 players available this week due to injuries and sky TV's scheduling of the Chelsea v Man Utd game which robbed us of our 'scribe' as well as our Main striker. However a hat-trick by Lucas, a fine brace by Charlie, two more for Luis and One each for Oli, Adam, Fenton, Tom and finally one for Josh who must wonder how he didn't score a hatful.
The first half was a little scrappy to be honest, a small pitch with very long grass and it took a while to really get going but Lucas started the scoring with a fine volley from 6 yards out after a pin point cross from Luis. Luis then scored with a fine shot across the keeper, Lucas added another before Charlie Jefferies scored the goal of the game with a fine shot into the roof of the net from 15 yards out.
If the first half was one sided then the second was even more so with goals raining in every couple of minutes. However a couple of well deserved goals back from Aldenham, who caught the Yellows sleeping a bit completed the scoring
The second half was similar as the yellows took total control with many players asked to play in unusual positions. Due to a back injury I had to watch most of the game from my chair and the lads must of enjoyed playing without the usual sight of me pacing up and down the touchline as they really played some great football. No aimless thumps up the pitch, no high ball stuff to a charging bull of a striker and due to the fair play of both teams not once was the game stopped for an injury. In my present condition not a bad thing as running across the pitch would have been impossible. Our sporting opposition applauded good play from both teams.
Just a footnote about one of our lads, Charlie R who has suffered torn ankle ligaments. He will be missing for at least 6 weeks and I know how much he will be missing his football. Hope you have a speedy and full recovery Charlie who's strength in midfield is a major asset to the team. A dangerous place to be our team. On the side of the pitch today we had two broken ankles and a slipped disc and that's just the parents. Thank god the boys don't take after us lot!! Next up Biggleswade away.
MOM - Lucas
Match 2 Wymondley Firesharks 7 v Letchworth Yellows 2
A disastrous first half display by The Yellows handed this game to the Firesharks by seven goals to two. In the first half, The Yellows seemed overawed by the physicality of the opposition. But in the second, they realised their footballing skills were easily good enough to make a competition of it, but I’m afraid it was too late by then.
Teams have to take responsibility when they lose, and the Yellows need to take a good look at themselves and make sure they come out of the traps fighting against teams like these. It must not happen again this season. Individuals can have off days. Teams can not. It’s no good having a game of two halves if you only turn up for one of them.
But for much of the second half, The Yellows played some fantastic one and two touch football, giving The Firesharks a real headache. The commitment was good, the movement was crisp, the ball stayed on the ground, and possession was controlled rather than rushed. And as a result two goals came in quick succession, one to Tom and the other to Caspar. But it was too little, too late.
I was thinking of getting some quotes from Terry for this report, but I didn’t need to. I just looked in the papers and look what I found. All of these are from managers in the premiership. You could be forgiven for thinking they were watching our match.
“The opposition grafted all over the field, and outscrapped us, which is something I don’t like about my sides.” Pretty relevant. “I wasn’t happy about our performance in the first half, but they played well and put us under a lot of pressure”. Spot on.
“We gave them the game from set-pieces. We did not defend properly and that cost us”. Amazing, a premiership manager has the same problems as we do. “We created a lot of chances and it’s only a matter of time before we convert them”. He better sort his team out. You don’t want to think like that for too long!!
And here’s another: “We played better than them in the second half. As a team there was amazing work all over the pitch.” Yup, sums it up very well.
“There are a lot of things to work on defensively, even though we’re playing well and creating chances”. He must have been there too.
“We have come away disappointed, we got back into the game and then let it slip”. Eeerily relevant.
But finally, I found one that had no relevance to our game. It’s simply delusional. Still, it made me laugh. “It could happen to any defender. He tried to clear the ball and it came off his head and went in”. No Steve Bruce, that’s Titus Bramble you’re talking about. And there’s no one else like him, anywhere!!!
Royston Crow Under 13 Division 1
Match 1 - Yellows 7 v Wymondley Park 0
If you’ve been unfortunate enough to watch an episode of ‘The Cup’ on BBC2, then you’ll know what to expect when you watch a game of youth football. Overbearing parents, idiotic coaches, blind referees and ill-disciplined, untalented young footballers. It’s just like that! Right!!
Sure, the closer to Watford you get, the more likely you are to witness the kind of outbursts TV clearly loves, but today’s match was testament to all the people involved. I didn’t hear a single player swear, I didn’t see parents goading their offspring to maim the opposition, and I didn’t see either coach lose it on the touchline.
What I did see was a recently promoted team struggle with the strength and pace of this division. But whilst The Yellows took the chances they created with aplomb, I don’t think the 7-0 score line was a fair reflection of their superiority or of the quality of the opposition. Wymondley played some neat football, and they have some talented players. But, as we know, this division can be quite harsh to the uninitiated, and so it proved.
A goal for Lucas, and a brace for Josh, Caspar, and Luis gave the Yellows a fine start to the season. It was great to see new boys Tom, Charlie and Luis settle in so well. Luis, especially, deserves praise for a resolute performance, topped off by a true poachers goal at the end, nicking it off a defender and lashing a shot high into the net.
Tom also gives the back line a strength we lacked last year, with Adam slotting in well in the middle, and Ryan G as assured at right back as he was at centre back last year. Add to that a stunning save from Sam, and there are some promising signs emerging.
But let’s not get carried away. There will be tougher days to come and The Yellows will have sterner tests than this.
MOM – Tom.