scorching weather last Saturday away vs Hampsthwaite & Birsthwith.
The 7s split again into two squads - Reds and Blacks. The Reds in the
first game the team lined up with George 'The Cat'Easton in goal Lewis
and Owen in defense, Luke in midfield with Jack Sherwin and James
Haveron up front.
On a pitch the size of a thin postage stamp the boys battled hard and
put some good passes together, despite their efforts two early goals
were conceded. The boys continued to plug away, when Jack Sherwin won
a 50/50 ball which left Luke in the clear with just the keeper to
beat. A confident finish brought the deficit back to just one.
In the second half, Hampsthwaite were kicking down the slope which
enabled them to assert even more pressure. Lewis was incredible in
defence, thwarting a number of great goal chances. Unfortunately,
even Lewis could not keep Hampsthwaite out any longer, and three
further goals were conceded. To their credit the boys continued to
battle and were unlucky not to add to their tally. The game finished
5 - 1 to Hampsthwaite.
In the second match things were a lot closer, especially in the first
half. Kicking downhill, the boys conceded one early on. Some good
tackling, passing and movement saw a chance fall to Jack Sherwin who
rarely misses when given an opportunity in front of goal. 1 - 1.
Hampsthwaite's reply was fast, with a thunderbolt free kick hitting
the back of the net. The teams turned around at 2 - 1, in favour of
the home side.
Not wanting a repeat of the first game the boys got the better of the
hill and Lewis 'Ferdinand'Dobson assisted the forward line and scored
a great goal. Hampsthwaite replied with two further goals, with game
ending 4 - 2 to the home side.
On the other pitch, the Blacks, (made up of Tom J, Ewan C, Lewis F,
Jack A, Sam A and Cameron B) on a very hard surface faced a
Hampsthwaite Yr2 squad who have had a habit of rolling over teams this
season. The sides were very evenly matched, but with ball bouncing
around it was a tricky pitch to play on. Hamsthwaite scored an early
goal which stung the Scorchers into action with a quick response from
a great move between Jack Armitage and Tom Johnson with Tom finishing
calmly. A tremendously tight second half say some tremoudoes defending
from both teams cancel each other out until late on when a huge goal-
kick from Hamsthwaite was chased down, crossed and slotted home to
give Hamsthwaite a 2-1 win.
A brief break and a deserved drink on a warm day and the boys were
ready for the second game. Switches in goal say Ewan take a stint
between the sticks, and a ferocious shot n eeded all his height and
sharpness to keep out. That said, Hampsthwaite did briefly take the
lead until Scotton;s very own Messi (Tom) took a great pass from Sam A
to round a defender and slot home an equalizer. Again, Hyampsthwaite
took the lead from a booming clearance, but with Cameron B now in goal
his clearances were turning round the Hampsthwaite defence and some
more quick thinking from Tom slotted in the equalizer, rounding off a
very fare 2-2 result. The Boys should take huge pride, with the
Hampsthwaite lead coach saying that we had been both the most
competitive and the most skillful opponents they had played all season
and it had been a great end to their season. Of course, we have one
round of games left.
Reds player of the match was awarded to Lewis who demonstrated a
fantastic understanding of his defencsive position and ran and tackled
his little legs off in both games. His goal in the second match
secured his first Player of the Match rosette, and ended a really
enjoyable game in the Hampsthwaite sun. For the Blacks, and proving
that there is always nothing more important to a team than being a
great team player, the award went to Ewan Cooke.
For the 9's, Scotton started brightly against Hampsthwaite, stringing
together a number of good passing moves. Midway through the first half
Hampsthwaite scored a fortunate break-away goal and went in at half-
time 2-0 up after a wonderful second goal. Scotton lost their way in
the second half, eventually losing 4-0; our heaviest defeat this
season. On the bright side, Player of the Match Lorchan Gallagher
almost scored from the half way line with a great effort!
The Under 11s against Hampsthwaite had a tough start to their weekend,
but they managed to finish their morning well. Scotton were playing
uphill the first half of the league match (literally and
figuratively), and found themselves down 5 nil at half-time. The boys
stepped up their game the second half, after a few tactical changes,
and finished the match at 7 to 1. The second match saw an improved
Scorchers squad earn a well-deserved 2 all draw. Player of the match
for both matches was Luke.
Next Saturday are out last Nidderdale League Fixtures, at home vs
Tockwith. Lets hope for some more great weather and some equally
bright football!!
The Coaches
