Eagles u13 Reds - 09/10 Season
Contact: Mark Nunn - 0773 482 4103 - info@essentialwaterservices.co.uk
Match Reports
Sunday 20th September - LGCE Reds V Flamstead (County Cup)
The first round draw of the county cup saw us first out of the hat, with a home tie against Flamstead Youth from the Chiltern League. Jamie was missing due to being ill but we included new signing Bethany in the squad, who rejoined us after a season away with the Girls team.
Flamstead got the game started and straight away were attacking our goal. They forced a corner after 2 mins, we didn’t get marked up and a dangerous delivery saw the smallest player on the pitch send a header into the top corner. We managed to deal with the Flamstead attacks for the next couple of minutes and got an equaliser on 5 mins. Kieran B, who started today after an impressive game last week as a sub, collected the ball just outside our area, he laid it off to Kieran F who played the ball through for Jordan, he muscled his way past his marker and hit a powerful shot at goal which the keeper did well to save. Harry followed up but his shot hit the post and went across goal where Ty was, his shot was blocked but the ball ended up back to Jordan who finally finished it off.
The game evened out after this with chances at both ends, James was again making some good saves, but everyone was playing their part, a prime example of this was when a 50/50 tackle in the middle of the pitch saw our smallest, Kieran F, and their biggest challenge for the ball. Kieran managed not only to win the ball but also end up on the floor with his opponent in a strong but fair tackle. Although he did get a knock on his knee, both players were ok to play further parts in the game. This seemed to have a big impact on the rest of the team and everyone was determined to win the ball in every tackle they made. This seemed to take Flamstead by surprise and we started to get on top.
After 15 mins Dean did well to control the ball in the middle and play it forward, Kieran B out jumped his marker and flicked it on for Jordan who made it 2-1 after the keeper spilled the ball at his feet. The game was end to end but our defence was on top dealing with their dangerous forwards and the midfield were battling for everything making it difficult for Flamstead to create and clear cut chances. We extended the lead on 27 mins with another good team goal. Ty’s quick long throw caught the defence out and Kieran F latched onto it, he sent a superb left foot cross in to the back post where Harry was steaming in, his diving, yes diving header was excellently saved by the keeper, but unfortunately for him Aidan was on hand to smash the ball home for 3-1.
HALF TIME - LGCE Reds 3 - 1 Flamstead
We went looking for another goal straight from the kick off and when Dan put a good ball into Jordan just outside the area, he saw the keeper off his line and lobbed it over the top of him for hat trick number 3 in 3 games. He wasn’t finished there though and 10 mins later it was Aidan this time who supplied him with a pass and he again finished with ease. Flamstead, to their credit, didn’t give up and there left winger was allowed to take on 3 players without being tackled before hitting a powerful shot at goal, James made a fantastic save to his left but the ball fell to a Flamstead player who rolled it in from close range.
We reacted straight away and Ty played a perfect through ball for Jordan, who waited for the keeper to come out and knocked it past him into the corner for goal number 11 this season already! Flamstead were still not giving up and gave themselves a fighting chance with 10 mins left. A cross from the right managed to find its way across our area where it was stroked it at the far post for 6-3. In the last minute they got another goal when our defence seemed to go missing. Sam D was left out numbered with 5 Flamstead players and although he managed to get a foot the first pass there was too many attackers and he and James were left with no chance to stop the attack. The final whistle went shortly after this and a hard earned victory was ours to confirm the team’s first county cup win.
Man of the match went to Jordan for a 10 out of 10 performance and finishing to match, Dean a very close 2nd with a mature performance in centre midfield and defence with some strong tackles and good passing, a player that gives 100% wherever he plays. All the players deserve credit and if we can keep putting in performances like this we will have a very enjoyable season. Well Done!!
FULL TIME - LGCE Reds 6 - 4 Flamstead
Scorers - Jordan (5), Aidan, Man of the Match - Jordan
Sunday 13th September - LGCE Reds V BSCFC Rovers
Our first home game of the season was against Bishops Stortford Rovers and a repeat performance from the week before was important for today, unfortunately this wasn’t the case!
Bishops Stortford started the stronger and was putting alot of pressure on our defence, who to be fair to them dealt with most of the attacks well. We were looking dangerous when we got the ball out wide, with Ty, Harry and Aidan putting some good crosses in but no final product early on.
It was now the Bishops Stortford vs James show for 5 – 10 mins. You will do well to see a better save all season than James first one, a well struck shot from just inside the area was heading to James’ top left hand corner until he took off and palmed it round the post from a corner. He then had 3 one on ones where he saved 2 and did enough to put the forward off a third time and saw the shot go wide. We seemed to be struggling with their big lad in midfield who was starting to boss the game, we decided that the best option would for Dean to man mark him, from this point onwards the game swung in our favour.
Then, up stepped the goal machine that is Jordan...he got himself through on goal and as the keeper come out he coolly dinked it over him into the far corner for a goal totally against the run of play. This gave us a boost and we started to play with abit more confidence. Kieran B threaded a nice ball through for Jordan and he smashed it past the keeper for 2-0 on 27 mins. Just before half time we made it 3-0. Another superb corner from Ty found Harry at the far post and he hit an unstoppable shot past the keeper into the far corner.
3-0 at half time doesn’t tell a true story of the game, but James done his job to keep Bishops Stortford at bay and the lads at the other end took their chances
HALF TIME - LGCE Reds 3 - 0 BSCFC Rovers
We started the second half with much more confidence after me and Luke asked the lads to get back to basics, we were now dominating the game and got a 4th 10 mins into the second half. A excellent move involving Harry and Jordan down the right saw a neat one/two set Jordan up for his hat trick, his second in 2 games, with another top class finish.
We seemed to take our foot off the pedal now and Bishops Stortford started to create some chances and got a goal back when a cross from the right was accidently knocked past James by Jamie for a own goal. The fightback was on now and they got another goal when a high ball caught the defence out and their forward volleyed it into the corner for 4-2
The remainder of the game was pretty even with chances at both ends, unfortunately for us Ty still hasn’t found his scoring boots. After a couple of chances for him where he missed the target we were awarded a penalty for a foul on Kieran B. Ty stepped up with confidence and struck the penalty well, but the keeper made a excellent save to deny him his first goal for us.
The game finished 4-2 in our favour but on another day we could have been out of the game if James wasn’t in such good form. 4 or 5 lads put in excellent performances and the others did their bit, but this game shows we all need to be playing well if we are to be successful this season. Man of the match went to James
FULL TIME - LGCE Reds 4 - 2 BSCFC Rovers
Scorers - Jordan (3), Harry
Man of the Match - James
Sunday 5th Sept 2009 - Hormead Hares V LGCE Reds
Our first game of the 2009-2010 season saw us make the short trip to Hormead Hares.
In a much changed starting 11 from last season we included 2 of our 3 new signings in Dan (centre mid) and Tyvon (left wing). This also included a change of positions for some of the lads from last season, including Aidan at right back, Sam D at centre back, Kieran F joining Dan in centre mid and Dean pushing on to support Jordan up front. James, Kane, Zak and Harry slotted into their usual positions to complete the line up.
So a new look Eagles took to the field against a strong Hormead team who played in the division above us last season. The opening encounters were tight with both teams creating half chances, some strong defending by both teams prevented any clear cut chances. James was doing a excellent job in goal when called upon and Sam D looked like he’d played centre back all the time rather than up front.
We freshened things up after 20 mins by bringing on Kieran B and Jamie for Dean and Harry. The change was immediately effective as a corner taken by Ty on the right was hooked back into the box by Kieran B, the ball fell to Dan who’s shot hit the post and first to react was Jamie who kneed the ball into the back of the net. This gave us a boost and 2 mins later Ty went on what looks to be a trademark run down the left, he put a superb ball into the area and Jordan was on hand to tap the ball home. Sam DJ came on at right back and put in some solid challenges to prevent his opposite number getting any joy down the left. Hormead did manage to pull a goal back from a corner to make it a tense last 5 mins before half time.
HALF TIME – Hormead Hares 1-2 LGCE Reds
We started the second half well and put the Hormead defence under alot of pressure. We got our 3rd goal from another corner, this time Jamie did well to keep the ball alive and Jordan was able to hit a superb volley past the home keeper and defenders on the line. This seemed to give everyone confidence and we pushed forward looking for more goals. The 4th goal come from a throw on the left this time, Ty’s dangerous long throw caused problems in the area and Jordan managed to beat the keeper to the ball from Dean’s pass and head across goal for Jamie to thump a volley into the roof of the net.
With Harry now pushed into a forward position it was him that won the free kick which led to our 5th goal. An excellent turn on the half way line left the defender with no option but to foul him. Ty took the free kick and put the ball over the top of the defence for Jordan to latch on to, he rounded the keeper and with a composed finish from a tight angle completed his hat trick with 5 mins to go.
The final score of 5-1 was very satisfying but it was the attitude and commitment of the players that pleased me and Luke most. Everyone put in a performance to match their attitudes, which is why we got such a good result. Everyone put in a man of the match performance but it was Sam D who picked it up for an outstanding display at the back.
FULL TIME – Hormead Hares 1-5 LGCE Reds
Scorers – Jordan 3, Jamie 2
Man of the Match – Sam D