Under 10 Crusaders

Reports

Saturday 24th March 2012      Away vs Crookham Rovers Falcons

This week's away fixture saw us take on Crookham Rovers Falcons in the Ash trophy. With us winning the league fixture of this match 7-0 the Falcons would always want to try to avenge such a heavy defeat.

The sun was out and the temperature was up on recent weeks as we took to the field for the start of the first half.  We won the coin toss and decided to switch ends so we didn't have to play into the sun. We could see that the Falcons were up for today and they didn't give us a lot of time on the ball.  They pressured us all over the pitch, but Ellis in goal picked up the through ball and kicked it up the pitch.  We managed to get through to their penalty box but we didn't take our chance and it went out for a goal kick. The Falcons were finding themselves with time and space on the ball as they were left unchallenged by our players all over the pitch and on 16 minutes they punished us for some lacklustre football and got there first goal. 1-0 Falcons. Usually this would spur us on a little but with our players ball watching not challenging and looking too over-confident the Falcons won the ball back and kept it well to make sure they took their lead going into half time.

The second half was a similar story we struggled to keep our shape with players going hunting for the ball and not putting in challenges.  We were all over the place and on 30 minutes they once again punished us for not putting them under pressure and tracking back, and made it 2-0 Falcons. There was still 10 minutes left to try to salvage something from the game but our passing was not on form this week  We looked tired and defeated, and the Falcons ran out 2-0 winners.

A disappointing performance all over this week.  Not our usual football and maybe a little over-confidence creeping in.  Special credit to both Matthew and Kyle who never stopped working and running and gave their all.

MOM: Matthew

Saturday 17th March 2012            Home vs Curley Park Rangers Kestrels

Today's fixture was our last league game of the season and it really was all to play for. If we lost and Hartley Wintney won we would drop to 4th, but if we won we would finish the season in 2nd place and regain our place in Division 1 for next season. What the players didn't yet know is that if we did finish 2nd they would get runners-up medals and a trophy.  As soon as we told them their eyes lit up and there was a real buzz amongst the team.

We started the game with a real high tempo and we soon had Curley Park on the back foot; the ball was played into the box and one of the Curley Park defenders handled it to award us a penalty with only 55 seconds on the clock. Connor picked the ball up and placed it on the spot and as soon as the ref blew his whistle he drilled it straight into the back of the net to make it 1-0 (1 min).  Curley Park didn't drop their heads though and on the 5th minute they punished us for not putting them under pressure and not tracking them back and made it 1-1 (5 mins). This seemed to give us the wake-up call we needed and from that point on we won the ball higher up the field and made sure every time they had the ball we put them under pressure and got the ball back. We started playing the high tempo passing game we all like to see, pushed Curley Park back into their box and started winning a few corners. With Connor swinging the ball in at perfect head height Nathan lost his marker and headed home our 2nd to make it 2-1 (17 mins). Curley Park did try to attack our goal, especially with their number 10 bombing forward, but with Callum at right back he made sure he was first to the ball and got in front of their players to make sure no crosses came in.  We took our 2-1 lead going into half time.

Half time was upon us and we took a few minutes to remind ourselves what was up for grabs today and that everyone has a defensive duty towards the team no matter what position they play. We started once again with a real high tempo with the ball zipping along the wet pitch quicker than your eye could follow.  We out-passed Curley Park, put them under pressure and we started to win a few corners. Connor swung a ball into the box and straight into the goal to make it 3-1 (33 mins). Maybe we started to ease off a little and Curley Park managed to bag a 2nd to make it 3-2 (36 mins) but straight from the re-start Harry was passed the ball, found himself with a bit of space and made it 4-2 (37 mins). Every time Curley Park did manage to get past our midfield they were either met by an eager Kyle or an up for it Callum who between them dealt with any attack that got through and passed the ball forward. A very keen Matthew now came on for Harry and took his position on the left wing.  We had Curley Park in their corner when they won the ball back, but they came across a waiting Matthew, who not only made 1 challenge but 2 great tackles and made sure we won the ball high up the field. The ball got played through to the Curley Park box and Nathan bagged his brace to make it 5-2. (39 mins). There seemed to be a never ending amount of extra time but with our swift passing all amongst the team and a great team effort, we made sure we kept control of the game and ran out 5-2 winners to make sure we grabbed that 2nd spot in the division.

WOW! What a season, it really has been a big learning curve both for myself and everyone else involved, it was a tough start but we always knew that the players had the capability and skills needed to perform like they have been.  It has been a massive team effort from everyone and I could not be prouder of the way that they have all improved and learnt throughout the season.  At the start of the season we would have been happy just to stay in the division, but through sheer determination and a massive team effort we have earned our way back into Division 1 and now have our eyes set on the Ash Trophy.

Goals: Connor (2), Nathan (2), Harry (1)

MOM: Callum - What a performance: strong in the tackle and calm on the ball.  Very well done!

Saturday 5th November 2011      Away Liss Lightning bolts      League Cup

With a nice short journey to Liss for this week's fixture everyone was nice and awake and up for it.

Upon arrival the pitch had just been marked out.  Our parents had to dig out a lump of concrete and re-turf it, and down one side what could only be described as waves made it seem that we may struggle to play our football today.

But this was not the case and we started really well with some great passing play through our midfield involving Callum and Connor. But Liss were also up for it today and didn't make things easy for us.  We had to work and battle really hard.

This showed when we lost Connor through injury in the first half and a few others were getting stitches. With us now having to try a few things out in midfield, Callum worked hard on the right to help support the new midfield and we started to get back into the game. With Nathan running down the left with the ball and Callum once again making a forward run on the right, all he needed was a great cross. But Liss defended well and won the ball off Nathan before he could get the cross in.

The first half can't go by without mentioning our defence though, as every attack Liss had was soon snuffed out by the almighty pairing of Lauren and Kyle at the back. They were determined not to let anything by them this week and were soon squeezing out the Liss attacks on our goal.

The team had worked hard in the first half and we were hoping this would continue in the second. And it did, with Little George beginning to struggle in midfield we put Nathan there, a position he wasn't used to but what a job he did. He was soon picking up the loose balls and passing them around like he had been playing there for years, With Nathan doing a great job in the middle he soon began to pass the ball out to the wingers in Callum and Harry who did not stop running the whole game.  We made a few more chances but just couldn't take them. The defence just got stronger and stronger as the game went on and they were really enjoying themselves, with great big smiles on there faces they put a stop to any other Liss attack in the second half and extra time was looming.

With us never having been to extra time before it was a new experience.  There were a few tired looking faces as for 40 mins the whole team gave 100% and I couldn't have asked for more. But that didnt stop us taking the lead in the first half of extra time with a superbly taken goal from Nathan.

Liss werent going to give up though and with only 1 minute left in the second half of extra time they managed to scramble home the equaliser to force a penalty shoot out.

With the team lining up on the halfway line, arm over arm, a few nerves were beginning to show and a few of the players were unable to watch.

Liss went first and scored a great penalty. Up stepped Harry for us and blasted it straight past the keeper with a superbly taken penalty. Liss replied with another great taken penalty. Nathan was next for us and he hit it with a great strike and a lot of power but it just curled slightly and bounced off the up-right. Liss then scored their next penalty. James was next for us and he just dragged his toes on the ground a little before he kicked the ball: it went straight down the middle and their keeper saved it. With Liss needing to score the next one to win it was a nail-biting time but we knew Ellis was up to it.  Liss took it and Ellis saved it, but the ball bounced up in the air and had more back spin on it than a Roger Federer slice, hit the ground and rolled in the back of the net.  Liss won on penalties!

Penalties are like a lottery, you win some you loose some.  With the hard work and great team effort they put in today everyone can hold there heads up high, because today was the best game they had played all season.  We are so proud of the effort everyone gave.

If we play like that week in week out we will make our own luck and eventually that elusive first league win will come.

Goals: Nathan 1

MOM: Lauren

September and October Fixtures 2011

With a tough start to the season which saw us struggle in division 1, we sat down and made the not so easy decision to play our football in division 2 this season.

With our last 2 games in division 1 being a 3-2 defeat to Petersfield and a 4-0 defeat to Hart we were finding goals hard to come by and struggling a little with the strength of some of the teams.

Milford Pumas

Our first game in October was a cup match against Milford Pumas and we really needed to get a good result just to build up our confidence more than anything. With playing with the ball at our feet and passing something we have always been very good at we used this to our advantage to beat a very good Milford side 4-3 and we got our first win of the season and into the next round. Goals coming from Nathan (2) and Gregory (2). MOM - James.

Crookham Rovers

Our next match was at home against a very quick and strong Crookham Rovers Falcons, who from the start we could see would use their pace and strength to their advantage. They kept on catching us out on the counter-attack.  We were just not quick enough to compete and they ran out 4-0 winners.

Camberley

With being strong on the ball being the main focus at training over the past few weeks it began to show against Camberley.  We were soon finding ourselves creating plenty of space and opportunities on their goal but they caught us out on the counter-attack and managed to get a goal in the first half. We again made plenty more chances in the first half and managed to put one away. But, one wasn't enough as they managed to get a second in the first half to make it 2-1 to them going into half time.

That had us searching for the equaliser in the second half and they made it 3-1 part way into the half. But we didn't let that affect us and James soon found himself with 2 great chances on goal shortly after.  Unfortunatley he mis-hit one and the ball bobbled just in front of him on the other.

The Ref gave a free kick to Camberley (after their manager shouted at him) and they scored from it to make it 4-1. With injuries and heads begining to drop Camberley made it 5-1 and then the whistle went.

Even though we lost against Camberley everyone came off that pitch with their heads up  because they knew they had given their all and done everything we had asked of them.

Goals: Callum (1)               MOM: Ellis.

Liphook Dragons

With no league or cup fixture this week we arranged a friendly against our other Under 10 team, the Dragons, but changed it around a little.

We played three twenty minute games to give everyone a chance to get involved.

Game 1

Ellis, Kyle, Lauren, Connor, Nathan, Harry, Callum      With the first seven players taking their places on the pitch you could see that everyone was up for it today, and we soon managed to keep hold of the ball and just play some nice football.  We soon made some great chances on goal.  Nathan was the first to take one of these opportunities soon followed by Harry to make it 2-0. The Dragons did threaten our goal a few times in this game but our back 2 in Kyle and Lauren did a superb job in squeezing them out to the sidelines and Ellis was alert to most things that came his way.      Goals: Nathan (1) Harry (1)  MOM: Connor.

Game 2

James, George, Greg, Joe, Ben, Matthew, Harry L      Game 2 saw us make a complete change with 7 different players on the pitch. The Dragons also made a few changes and soon made it known that they were out for goals.  Daniel was soon hot on our heels and made a few great chances for the Dragons, one of which they took to make it 1-0.  We also made few chances and with George out on the right crossing in some great balls, Ben found himself on the end of one of them and made it 1-1. With Joe and Matthew at the back they did a good job in seeing out a few more chances and Joe pushed forward on the right and played a great ball straight through to their box but we couldn't get on the end of it and the game finshed 1-1      Goals: Ben (1)      MOM: Matthew.

Game 3

Ellis, Callum, Connor, James, Lauren, Harry K, George      We used the 3rd game to try to mix it up a little with a few players playing out of posisition and we introduced Harry King to the team. Our passing play started fairly slowly in this game and we soon found ourselves under a bit of pressure from the Dragons, with Connor and Callum at the back they coped with most things that came there way and made sure they got the ball away from our goal.  With about 8 minutes gone a few of the players that played the last game started to look a bit tired so we made some changes in Harry L, Nathan and Kyle coming on.  This worked well and we soon started playing our passing football and with a great cross coming in from the right, Harry K got a knee to it to make it 1-0.  With Callum taking a rather powerful shot to the face, Joe came on at right back, Kyle to left back with Connor taking his usual place in the centre. Connor found himself with a bit of time and space on the left from a corner and he knocked the ball forward to take a right footed shot which looped over everyone and into the top corner of the goal to make it 2-0.      Goals: Harry K (1) Connor (1)     MOM: Connor.

Hopefully now we will go into our next league game with a bit more confidence and get our first league win of the season.

Saturday 26th November 2011      Away vs Crookham Rovers Falcons

Having already played Crookham at home back in September and being defeated 4-nil we knew that they would be a well organised outfit and provide a nice tough game.

We started with a real bang and, with our passing and moving creating us space all over the pitch, Crookham really struggled to keep up with our movement.  After 5 minutes Callum was the first to pounce on a well created chance and swiftly made it 1-0.

We didn't let that go to our heads though and we kept on putting the pressure on the Crookham goal, with Connor in the midfield winning every ball that came at him he swiftly passed the ball out to Harry who was making a run down the left, who then knocked the ball down to Nathan, who then fed Harry the ball back and he scored our second at 11 minutes.  2-0.

Right from the re-start we won the ball back and just out-passed Crookham who couldn't really keep up with the one touch passes and soon after we were once again on the Crookham goal. Nathan took his chance well and made it 3-0 at 17 minutes.

Once again we won the ball back just after the re-start and with Connor in the middle passing the ball back out to Harry on the left he attacked their goal and made it 4-0. The Crookham heads were beginning to drop now and Harry once again flying down the left made it 5 nil less then a minute after the fourth to grab his hat-trick at 19 minutes. 5-0.

With all of the team being told that the second half was another game they knew they still had to keep up the form of the first.  Crookham did attack our goal soon after the start of the second half but when Ellis was called upon he dove on top of the ball and swiftly kicked it upfield so we could counter.

Crookham attacked our goal a few more times in the second half but the usual brick wall in the shape of Lauren and Kyle snuffed out any chance they had.

With little George now on in place of Nathan we once again out-passed Crookham.  George found himself with a bit of time and space and took his chance superbly to make it 6-0.

Still the chances came and with a well taken corner James out-jumped the defenders to head the goal on target only to miss out to the cross bar.

With Crookham heads now well and truly dropped we passed the ball across the midfield and kept possession well, and with Callum, Connor and Nathan creating space and working forward Connor finished off the scoring to make it 7-0.

This is the type of performance we see week in and week out at training and finally they have put all that hard work onto the pitch.

Keep up the good work guys!

RESULT: 7-0 WIN

MOM: Harry and Connor

Goals: Harry (3), Nathan (1), Callum (1), George (1), Connor (1)

Saturday 3rd December 2011      Home vs Headley Youth Hyenas

After last week's performance against Crookham we set ourselves some high standards to try to match, and with this week's opponents in Headley youth Hyenas only losing one game in the league all season and 1 point from the top we knew that it would be a tougher challenge.

With us making some tough decisions in recent weeks with regard to team selection, we started with almost the same starting line-up as last week with the exception of James making a start this week.

With kick-off a bit later than planned due to a late arrival we started well and soon showed Headley that even though our results at the start of the season were not very good we would not be a walkover by any means.  After 8 minutes we took the lead with Nathan finding himself with a lot of time and space on the right and cooly striking the ball with his less than favourite right foot to put it past the Headley keeper.  1-0

Headley did have us pegged back a few times this half finding themselves a route down their right side of the pitch a few times, but with James on top form and tracking all the way back to fullfill his defensive duties he made a superb goal line cleareance to make sure we ended the half 1-0 up.

With us making a few little errors in the first half we knew if we wanted to win this game we had to try to iron them out this half.

With no Headley player left un-challenged we won the ball back well and with some great passing and superb movement all over the pitch we created a few more chances on goal, but Headley dealt with them well and counter attacked on a few occassions. They attacked with numbers and on a few chances they found themselves 3 on 1, but with Ellis on top form he threw himself on top of the ball to snuff out any chance they had.

Headley did carry on putting us under pressure and had a chance hit the crossbar and with Ellis once again on top form he dove to save the ball but had to re-adjust half way down and threw both of his arms back up in the air to slam the ball away from our goal. And with James having one of his best games of the season he never stopped tracking back and made a few more defensive clearances.

With only about 2 minutes left on the clock we stopped another Headley attack and with Ellis passing the ball out to James we countered, and with some great passing play involving James and Connor we got the ball to the left hand side of their box, Connor crossed the ball into the box perfect for a header, but with us never scoring a goal with a header in nearly 3 years of football we didn't know if it would pay off.

But with Harry jumping higher than anyone else in the box he connected the ball with his head superbly to score our 2nd on 39 minutes and our first headed goal.

Another great solid performance from everyone.  All of your hard work is paying off.  Let's keep up the excellent work guys!

Result: 2-0 win

Goals: Nathan (1)  and Harry (1) ... with his head

MOM: James.  Very well done, that was your best perfomance of the season.  Keep up the good work.

Saturday 17th December 2011      Home vs Hartley Wintney Falcons

With the recent drop in temperature putting doubt over this fixture we left the pitch inspection to the last minute to give it the best of chance to be played.

With the pitch thawing out nicely and even a couple of light showers to make it nice and slick we soon showed the Falcons the type of football we are capable of.  With us keeping the ball with relative ease we passed it all over the pitch and were soon making chances on goal, none of which seemed to want to go in. That was until Nathan found himself with a great opportunity to make it 1-nil which he cooly did. 1-NIL

The Falcons did threaten our goal in the first half, but with the bravery of Ellis throwing himself on the ball he snuffed out any chance they had and showed us why he won the Players Player trophy last year with a man of the match performance.

With the whistle blowing for the start of the 2nd half and us not quite awake to their attack, the Falcons threatened our goal.  With the performance of Ellis and the combined effort of the defenders in Lauren and Kyle in front of him we dealt with it will and soon countered.  Little George made it 2-nil with a superbly taken chance from the right hand side of their penalty box. 2-NIL

Right from the re-start we won the ball back and I'm sure that if the Sky Sports cameras were there we would have been given least a 70%-30% in the possession stakes.  We were playing some slick football with all of the team involved in some great passing and moving, making the Falcons work hard and chase the ball. We soon made it 3-nil with Harry making sure of the win today at 35 minutes.

The Falcons did manage to pull back a late consolation goal but with only 2 minutes left and us passing and keeping the ball we saw the game out and made sure we finished the year on a high.

Yet another superb team effort!  I am really proud of the way we have turned our season around.  A very well done to everyone for all of the hard team work and concentration you have all put in.

Have a very Merry Christmas and see you all in the new year.

Result:  3-1 Win

MOM:  Ellis.  A superb brave display when you were called upon.  Keep up the good work.

Goals:  Nathan (1), George (1), Harry (1).

Saturday 8th January 2012      Away vs Headley Hyenas

With us not having played a game since the 17th of December and with only 1 training session under our belts at the start of 2012, you would think that fitness levels would have dropped slightly, but this what not the case and we were well up for today.

With us giving Headley 1 of only 2 defeats so far this season (a 2-0 win at home in December) we knew they would be out to try to avenge that defeat.

We started the game slowly and made it a bit to easy for Headley to play around us in the first 10 minutes as they had us boxed in our own half. With us not putting them under enough pressure they created a few chances on goal but thankfully, along with some great defending from Lauren, they were not really clear cut chances.

This gave us time to wake up a bit and on 12 minutes we countered with Harry up the left of the pitch and James on the right. The ball fell to Harry's feet just inside the box and he was 1 on 1 with the keeper, but he mis-hit his shot and it went out for a goal kick.

We started playing the football we knew we were capable of towards the end of the first half.  We made at least 2 more good chances on their goal but we just couldn't take them and went into half time 0-0.

The half time team talk consisted of us reminding everyone of a few basic skills we have been working on in training and a few words in "BETTER NEVER STOPS".

We started well and with the wind now behind us we attacked their goal a few times in the first 5 minutes of the second half. With us passing the ball well once more the ball was played out to Joe on the right who found himself un-marked and with only the keeper to beat to make it 1-0 to us. But the ball just bobbled in front of him a little and it went out for a goal kick.

From the goal kick Headley managed to get the ball high up the pitch and pass it into the box. Lauren dealt with it well, chesting the ball down and clearing it. But from the angle the ref was standing at he thought she used an arm and gave a penalty. Ellis was unlucky not to save the spot kick with the ball just slightly going above him. 1-0 to Headley on 26 minutes.

Heads dropped a little now and Headley put us under pressure once more.  The defenders dealt with it well and Kyle attempted to run the ball up the middle of the pitch, held onto it maybe a little too long and lost possession. With Lauren now finding herself having to mark 2 Headley players, they punished us for losing the ball and made it 2-0 on 30 minutes.

Suprisingly though, that seemed to give us a bit of a boost if anything and we started passing the ball around Headley in the last 5 minutes and made a few more chances on goal. But credit to Headley they dealt with it well and finished up 2-0 winners.

With this being the first game back and us still making the better chances on goal, all in all it was a good performance from us. Hopefully the rustiness of 3 weeks off will clear in time for next week.

Well done guys, a very good effort by all. Headley are a very good team.

RESULT: 2-0 to Headley

MOM: Lauren

Sat 14th January 2012    Home vs Camberley Boys Royals

With the 8:00am pitch inspection resulting in the 9:30 game being called off it was set to be a rather chilly morning. The sun was out and thawing out one of the unfamiliar overflow pitches nicely so we were all set for a pitch change and a 10:30 kick off.

Today's opponents were top of the table Camberley who we knew are a very strong team having beaten us 5-1 in the away fixture at the start of the season. And with us moving onto a pitch that was slightly smaller than we are used to, we knew today would be a tough challenge all over the pitch.

But I knew we had a team more than capable of challenging anyone on the day and we started very brightly.  We soon had Camberley boxed in their half and defending the ball. With Toby making his debut for us today he was working the defenders hard and after 5 minutes he managed to find a gap between them and cooly took his chance to make it 1-0.

We once again had Camberley on the back foot 2 minutes later with James on the right beating his marker on many occassion and whipping in some quality balls. But they defended well and cleared the ball out of their box. However, one of the Camberley clearances fell to Harry who on 12 minutes lobbed the ball over the keeper, Toby made sure he got himself between the keeper and the ball to ensure Harry made it 2-0.

Camberley did make a few chances in the first half but with Kyle on top form this week he saw everything out and defended the ball like a seasoned professional to make sure we went into half time 2-0 up.

I couldn't have asked for anything more from them in the first half so the team talk was along the lines of "more of the same please".

Camberley started the second half well and in the first 10 minutes they manged to get the ball through and make chances on goal but with Ellis leaping onto the balls that came through, Kyle clearly not going to let anything past him today and a little help from the woodwork, we rode out the 10 minutes and began to get our form back.

With Camberley now leaving an extra player upfront this made us more space to find and play the ball around up front and we had Camberley on the back foot. Toby found some of this space but his shot just went wide out for a goal kick. With the resulting goal kick reaching our box, Kyle once again got himself between the ball and the player and saw it out with great maturity to make sure it was our goalkick and we once again regained possession.

Camberley did make 2 more chances on goal but with our defence on top form and everyone working hard all over the pitch we made sure they couldn't take any and we won the game 2-0.

With us now having beaten the top 2 in the division, we have really turned our season around. This is down to the hard work that all of the children are putting in each week and I am very pleased and proud of everyone.

Result: 2-0 win

Goals: Toby (1) 5 mins - scoring on his debut - very well done.    Harry (1) 12 mins.

MoM: Kyle.  What a very strong and mature performance.  Well done.

Saturday 21st January 2012     Away vs Alton Utd Kestrels

With Alton playing their games in Lower Froyle and a Sat Nav that seemingly didn't want me to find the pitch we arrived bang on the 10:30 asking time.

We have played there before and with a pitch that can only be described as on a hillside and full of speed humps and craters.  At one point Ellis took a few steps to his left and shrank nearly half a foot, I heard a few of our players recalling the defeat we had here last season and blaming the pitch.

This would be our biggest test of the season and the gusts of wind that nearly blew me over wouldn't help, but all we asked of our players was to be strong and play your football. We started playing from left to right downhill against the wind.  We started with a bang and passed the ball around Alton.  At only 2 minutes Harry had a great chance to put us 1 nil up but their keeper just got his hands to it. 

We attacked once more, this time with Nathan driving the ball forward playing a give and go with Harry receiving the ball back in the box and cooly making it 1-0 on 5 minutes. With Harry playing on the left he was making some blistering runs and made himself chance after chance only to be denied with a keeper with the reflexes of a well trained ninja. Every time Alton got the ball our defence won it back and played it forward and on any other day we would of gone into half time at least 3-0 up. But with some great defending and some real quality saves from their keeper Alton made sure it was only 1-0 going into half time.

There wasn't really a lot we could have said at half time other than we had to concentrate and work that little bit harder as we were now going to be playing up hill (I don't think Butser Hill is as steep as this!). For the first 5 minutes we started on the front foot and soon won the ball back to create a few more chances. But after 5 minutes of running up hill we started to sit a bit deeper and allowed Alton to put us under pressure.  With a few goal-mouth scrambles and some brave goal keeping from Ellis we got our second wind and started to keep hold of the ball. With Connor picking up any loose balls in the first half and playing them forward he once again went in with a perfectly timed challenge and won the ball, passed the ball out to the right to Toby who then played the ball into the Alton box.  Alton cleared the ball out but only to a waiting Connor who from halfway between the penalty box and halfway line on the left hand side of the pitch took his chance on goal, lobbed the Alton keeper and put the ball into the top right corner of the goal 2-0 on 32 minutes. We now had a bit of breathing space, snuffed out any other Alton attack in the midfield and kept the ball well to make sure we ran out 2-0 winners. 

With other results going our way today and everyone giving 100% we jumped from 7th to 4th position in the division, and have now turned our goal difference around.  It is a testament to the amount of sheer hard work that everyone involved in the team is putting in. I am so pleased for you all, and let's keep up the good work.

Result: 2-0 win

Goals: Nathan (1) Connor (1)

MoM: Connor

Saturday 28th January 2012         Away vs Hook United Tigers

With us losing the home tie of this fixture 2-0 back in October, today's performance is yet another showing of how hard everyone has been working over the past couple of months.

It would be fair to say it took us about 5-10 minutes to really get going today and in that time Hook managed to put us under a bit of pressure, but with Lauren at the back reading everything like a book nothing was getting past her today and she saw out any attack they had. With 10 minutes gone on the clock we started to keep possession well and started to pass the ball around the pitch with real speed and accuracy.  We created a few chances, most notable was Nathan's shot saved well by the Hook keeper. It was a Hook goal kick and with their keeper kicking it out, it fell to a waiting Harry who was about 20 yards out on the left hand side of the pitch.  He headed it back towards the Hook goal over their midfield and defence and the ball rolled into the back of the net. 1-0 (12mins).

With Lauren having her game of the season at the back today, every time Hook got the ball back she was there to meet them at the half way line to ensure we kept the pressure on.  With Lauren playing the ball back into the Hook box it was handled by one of the Hook players and we were awarded the penalty. With Connor on penalty duties but having missed his last one he looked a bit nervous.  He made sure this one went in and drilled it into the roof of the net to make it 2-0 (17mins).

With us playing some superb football no one wanted the half time whistle to go, bit it duly did and it was time to take a drink on-board. There wasn't really anything to say other than to make sure we keep the pressure on and carried on working together as a team.

And right from the start we did just that, winning the ball back and creating more chances on goal. This time with Nathan playing on the left wing he turned goal provider and passed the ball to a waiting Toby in the box who took his chance well and made it 3-0 (30mins).

With Matthew having been working really hard at training and making a huge leap forward, we brought him on at left back and it didn't take him long to settle in. With him sticking to his man like glue he frustrated the Hook forwards and defended well.  He passed the ball out on the left to Callum and we started a counter attack but Hook defended it well and started a counter attack of their own. They managed to pull one back to make it 3-1 (35 mins).

This however seemed to only spur us on that little bit more and Lauren once again won the ball at the back and made a run with it, going unchallenged all the way from our box to Hook's box.  She crossed the ball into the box, Hook tried to defend it and clear it, but it only fell to Harry who tried to put it into the back of the net.  Hook cleared it once again and we seemed to have a goal mouth scramble for about 2 minutes. That was until Callum found himself with a bit of space and got a toe to the ball to make it 4-1 (40 mins).

With confidence and belief in the team at its highest I have seen all season, you could tell that not one of our players wanted the final whistle to go today and they all looked like they had another 40 minutes in them. But it did and we ran out 4-1 winners.

All I can say is WOW - what another great team performance!  I have always had the confidence and belief that this team is capable of performing the way they have been.  You only have to see the way they all perform in training to see that, and that now seems to be showing from every single player both in training and on the pitch. 

GOALS: Harry (1) Connor (1)p Toby (1) Callum(1)

MOM: Lauren

Saturday 18th February 2012                  Home vs Alton United Kestrels

With the cold snap causing the last 2 weeks' fixtures to be postponed, everyone was looking forward to finally being able to play football again. All of the snow had gone from the pitch which had a fresh coat of paint on the lines and was freshly rolled for our fixture against Alton.

We beat Alton 2-0 in the away fixture a few weeks ago and we knew that Alton would be out to try to get a good result against us this week. But we started with a bang and with not even 1 minute gone on the clock Toby made it 1 nil, punishing the Alton defence for not putting him under pressure. From the re-start we won the ball back and played some superb passing football and with Nathan playing some superb passes on the right he got the ball back and made it 2-0 on 5 minutes. Connor was winning the battle in the midfield every time and put in some real quality tackles to make sure Alton didn't get near our goal. With Connor winning the ball he played it through to George who made it 3-0 after 15 minutes. We were playing some really superb football with us passing the ball all over the pitch and keeping it really well and on 15 minutes Connor found himself on the right hand side 5 yards outside their penalty box and lobbed the Alton keeper to make it 4-0. Alton did get through to our goal a few times in the first half but with Ellis on top form when he was called upon he made some real top quality saves to make sure we took the 4-0 lead going into half time.

We started the second half a little bit slower than the first and we let Alton through on goal, but with Lauren tracking back she made a great tackle won the ball back and played it forward. We started to settle and once again played the passing football we like to play. And with no less than about 8 passes between Connor, Nathan, Toby and George across the midfield we made it through on the Alton goal and Toby made it 5-0 on 25 minutes. Only 3 minutes later Toby once again found himself unchallenged and after playing a few 1-2 passes with Nathan he bagged his hat trick goal to make it 6-0 on 28 minutes. Credit to Alton that they did not drop their heads and did not stop trying and they attacked our goal down there right hand side and managed to get the ball in our box and made it 6-1 on 32 mins. Alton tried down the same side once again but they met a waiting Matthew who made some superb defensive cleareances using his head, stuck to his man like glue and cleared the ball forward. Alton did manage to grab a second on 38 minutes but we made sure we ran out 6-2 winners.

Yet another great team performance from everyone, and with us especially in the first half playing Barcelona-esque football you really do had to see it to believe it.

MOM: Toby

Goals: Toby (3), George (1), Connor (1), Nathan (1)

Saturday 25th February 2012         Away vs Hartley Wintney Falcons

With Hartley Wintney giving us an early start in a 9:30 kick off and with a 45 minute journey time to get there we looked to keep up our good form and try to keep our 3rd spot in the division. Everyone turned up just before 9:00 and it gave us plenty of time to get warmed up and discuss how we were going to go about todays game.

We took to the field bang on the 9:30 kick off time all be it with a few tired looking eyes around the team.  After just 2 minutes the Falcons punished us for a bit of a slow start and made it 1-0 to the Falcons. That seemed to give us the little nudge we needed to wake up and we began to put the pressure on the Falcons goal and keep them in their half. Nathan was playing on the right wing this week and was causing the Falcons defence all sorts of problems, weaving in and out of their players.  He soon made a great chance on goal for Toby but he just couldn't reach it and it went out for a goal kick. We soon won the ball back and this time little George on the left, playing some great pass and move balls, received the ball back just inside the Falcons box and scored to pull it back to 1-1 on 7 minutes. We had the Falcons on the back foot and only a minute later Toby found himself halfway between the halfway line and the Falcons box slightly to the left with plenty of time to set himself up and have a shot.  He lifted the ball high into the air over the Falcons defence and keeper and made it 2-1 to us on 8 minutes. The Falcons started to find themselves space through the middle but with Lauren and Kyle once again in superb form they dealt with anything that came their way. Lauren playing in her usual right back spot was playing inch perfect balls upto Nathan who was having his best game of the season and created a few more chances, but the Falcons defended well and we went into the half time break 2-1 up.

We started the second half similar to the first, a little bit slow to react and the Falcons managed to get through on goal but Ellis was making sure nothing else was going past him this half and made a great save. We soon woke up again after that and kept the ball well. With Lauren once again making one of those inch perfect passes upto Nathan we attacked the Falcons goal. Nathan was working extremely hard on the right; when he losed possession of the ball he battled back and won it again, weaved in and out of the Falcons defence and played some great crosses into the box. We were getting corner after corner but we just couldn't make them count so we had to start again. We got the ball back into the box and Toby found himself in the right place at the right time.  He used his chest to make sure the ball went into the back of the net to make it 3-1 to us on 28 minutes. We were now keeping the ball well and kept control of the play in the final 10 minutes. With an eager Matthew now up front he won the ball in the Falcons half and we got it into their box, kept the pressure on and through an own goal made it 4-1 on 38 minutes to make sure we ran out winners today.

MOM: Nathan

Goals: George (1), Toby (2), own goal (1)

Saturday 3rd March 2012                    Away vs Bourne Blades Foxes

With us losing the home leg of this fixture 4-1 in the first half of the season, we knew all too well that the Blades were a good strong team. The weather forecast was for rain all day so everyone had packed there jackets but with English weather forecasts wrong 99% of the time the sun came out shortly after arrival. With this fixture being the first of our last 2 remaining league fixtures we were pushing for a top 2 finish but we needed to win today to keep Headley under pressure. The pitch was nice and big like were used to but on a slope so legs were really going to be worked today, and with a fresh fall of rain before kick off it was nice and slick.

The first half started with both teams in the same formation (2-3-1).  Both teams started strong which for at least the first 8 minutes seemed to cancel each other out.  The Blades defended high up and so did we; it seemed today was going to be one of those games where the first team to score would win. We began to keep hold of the ball a bit more and with Nathan out wide on the right hand side he managed to get around their defence but their back-tracking midfield performed there defensive duties well and cleared the ball. On 10 minutes we attacked their goal, this time with Harry on the ball from the left hand side of the pitch.  He moved forward un-challenged and found himself on the edge of the Blades' box.  He passed the ball into the box to Toby but their defence stood firm and cleared the ball away. The Blades were now on the counter and we were outnumbered at the back 4 to 2 but Lauren in her usual top form dealt with anything that came her way.  The ball fell to the Blades midfield and they drove into our box and had a shot.  Kyle was more determined than ever that today was going to be a clean sheet and threw himself in front of the ball and player to make sure the shot didn't go in and it rebounded off their player for a goal kick. 0-0 going into half time.

We knew that Headley had a better goal difference than us so we knew we couldn't concede.  We needed to score and we went into the second half more determined than ever.  Right from the start we turned it up a little and with some swift passing we managed to get into the box but their defence once again stood firm and cleared the ball away. The Blades were again on the counter but their shot went wide of the goal. With Ellis passing the ball out to Kyle at the back we began to get a bit more of a grip on the game and with 2 passes of the ball we had it in the Blades' box but Toby's shot was blocked and they cleared the ball away. Connor was winning the cleared balls and putting them straight back in to keep the Blades under pressure.  On 35 minutes the ball was played out to Harry on the left, he got in their box and buried his shot into the back of the net to make it 1-0. The Blades' heads dropped a little and with Connor winning the ball in the middle of the park again he played the ball forward and this time it fell to Nathan who made it 2-0 on 39 minutes. The Blades number 9 was not ready to give up though and got the ball into our box and was just about to shoot, but Connor had seen him and made what only can be described as the most perfectly timed tackle of the season to make sure we kept our 2-0 lead and ran out winners.

What a season this has been, we have gone from really struggling in the first half of the season to becoming the second division's second highest scoring team and fighting for a top 2 finish. Everyone involved in the team, coaches, parents and most of all the players should be really proud of there performances and the hard work you have all put in. Let's keep it up!

Goals: Harry (1)    Nathan (1)

Mom: Connor

Saturday 10th March 2012             Home vs Bourne Blades Foxes (Ash Trophy)

With this fixture the third meeting of the teams and the second in a week, the Blades were a team we knew would give us a real battle. With both teams playing strong passing football it was always going to be yet another great game for the neutral to watch.

We wanted to get our cup run up and running with a bang and after 5 minutes we began to keep the ball in the Blades half and push them back, but they defended well and regained possession. They made us work hard and nearly punished us for not tracking back but Ellis was his usual brave self in goal and jumped on the ball as it came into his box and made sure they didn't get a shot off. It really was end-to-end stuff and the Blades nearly got a reward for their hard work, but Lauren won the ball and played it forward to Nathan on the right of the pitch.  We started to get some passes together and Toby found himself with the ball at his feet un-challenged in their box and swiftly made it 1-0 on 13 minutes. We kept the pressure on and started passing the ball around well.  This time the ball fell to Nathan who made it 2-0 just before half time on 19 mins.

We may of been 2-0 up but we had to work hard for it and we knew that the Blades were a team that would never give up.  5 minutes into the second half they got their reward, with no one putting a challenge in and not tracking back the Blades broke with 3 against 2 and got a goal back to make it 2-1 on 25 mins. If this was the first half of our season of two halves, our heads might have dropped, but they didn't and we knew we had to really dig in and defend as a team, The game for the last 10 minutes turned into end-to-end football with each attack we had they defended well and countered, and exactly the same for us with each attack they had we defended well and countered. A great last 10 minutes for a neutral to watch, but not for my blood pressure. But with some dogged defending, a kicked hand, a clash of heads and a missing tooth we managed to hold on to win 2-1.

Another great game against the Bourne Blades Foxes a team are begining to know well.

Goals: Toby 1,  Nathan 1

MOM: Kyle

Saturday 17th September 2011      Away vs Petersfield Town Raptors

After last week's performance we knew we had to try to step it up a gear as Petersfield are always a well organised outfit.

With the rain stopping 15 minutes before kick-off and the pitch being the bare minimum size we knew it would be more difficult to keep hold of the ball than usual.

Petersfield started well and were playing down hill in the first half which gave them a bit more momentum and they played some nice passing football to create a chance on our goal. With our defence making a slight error of judgement and leaving a rather large gap between them, Petersfield made the most of the room, took the chance well and made it 1 - nil.

With 10 minutes of the first half gone we made a few changes, most notably Nathan who unusually we put out wide.  He was soon weaving in and out of their defence and he pulled a goal back to make it 1-1. Unfortunately he got a knock to his knee and had to come off soon after.

With Petersfield in possession of the ball they once again found a gap at the back and punished us to make it 2-1 going into the half time break.

We started the second half well and with Joe whipping in some great crosses and having one of the best games I've seen him play.  We made a few more chances but no one had their head on them and we STILL find ourselves looking for that first headed goal.

Nathan gave himself a little fitness test on the sidelines and told me his knee was fine now, so we put him back on and he scored within 3 minutes with some great passing play involving Connor and George to make it 2-2.

We were playing well but when Petersfield got the ball with about 8 minutes left to play they were left unchallenged out wide and once again punished us for a lack of concentration and made it 3-2.

Ellis was having a great game in goal to the point that the Petersfield coaches and spectators were praising him and didn't really deserve to concede 3 goals today.

We did make two more great chances on the Petersfield goal in the second half but both times when we got the ball in their box for a clear goal scoring chance the Ref blew the whistle to stop play because Petersfield had a player down crying in their box.

With the Ref telling us there was 5 minutes left Ellis's goal kicks were now used to get the ball into their box but we failed to get on any real opportunities, and everytime the ball went out for a goal kick their keeper was less than rushed to take it and rather frustratingly 3 minutes later the Ref blew for full time.

Today's performance wasn't perfect but was a lot better than last week and with only a few fine details left to iron out I'm sure we will soon start playing that crisp passing football once again.

Goals: Nathan 2

MOM: Joe.  Outstanding performance today Joe, keep up the good work.

Saturday 12th November 2011      Away vs Curley Park Rangers Falcons

After perfectly observing the 1 minute silence and paying our respects we had set ourselves a high benchmark: to match last week's performance.

Our intentions were clear and after only 1 minute on the clock we had Curley Park stuck in their own half, with any loose balls rolling out swiftly put back in by Lauren.

With great passing and moving of the ball we kept Curley Park were we wanted them and we created chance after chance on goal.  Most notable in the first half was Nathan's rocket shot which was only kept out by the upright of the goal.

The half time team talk for us this week was simple, simply play like that again for another 20 minutes.

We started the second half exactly the same way we started the first and managed to keep possession of the ball simply by passing and moving.  We soon once again were making chance after chance on the Curley Park goal with Gregory having one of the best chances on goal to side foot it only to see it go slightly wide.

Any chances Curley Park had on goal were soon snuffed out by the brick wall in the shape of Kyle and Lauren at the back, and when Ellis was called upon he was soon on top of the ball and playing it back out.

Much to the relief of the other team's manager the final whistle went for a 0-0 draw.  Afterward Curley Park said they were lucky not to get beaten 8 - nil.  It just goes to show how much pressure we put them under.

Let's keep on playing like that week in week out and that ever elusive first league win will come.

MOM: Lauren

Saturday 10th September 2011      Home vs Hook Utd Lions

Having played a few friendlies in the build up to the start of the season, and playing some really nice easy-on-the-eye football, confidence was high going into the first game of the season.

With the Ref blowing for kick-off in our first league game of the season that confidence was there for all to see and Harry put us 1 nil up within 5 minutes.

We continued to play some great football in the first half but we just couldn't finish our chances to try to put the game to bed in the first half.

But having played the best football of the 2 teams it would be fair to say that over confidence set in.  They thought it was going to be easy.

With no game of football an easy game we stopped playing our football and let Hook put us under pressure.  We conceded 2 goals in about 3 minutes, going into the half time break 2-1 down.

With the Hook manager coming up to me and saying he was glad we stopped passing the ball as he thought his team were going to get hammered, the half time team talk took a bit longer than usual.

With the second half starting we still backed off and just let Hook play around us.  They soon punished us with a 3rd.

Ten minutes left on the clock and we made a few changes.  Now the team realised they could try and get something from the game by playing football and not backing off. We were soon passing the ball around and making the challenges we did earlier on in the game.  We were leaving the Hook players all over the place as they couldnt keep up with the passing.

We soon made some great chances on goal but today wasn't going to be our day.  The game finished 3-1 to Hook.

Having played the better football and creating the better chances we were left to think about our missed opportunities and what should have been.

Now I know what Arsene Wenger feels like.

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