The final Nidderdale league matches of the season saw Scotton host Tockwith.
As previously, the U7's split into two teams, Reds and Blacks to play Tockwith, whom all oof their boys are Year 2!
The Reds lined up with Ben H in goal, Sam A and Lewis D in defence, Euan and Tom in midfield with Jack A leading the front line. This was always going to be a tough test for the Scorcher's as the last time we met we were on the receiving end of a large goal tally! The boys started off well, maintaining shape, talking hard and passing the ball around well. Some fine tackles by Sam and Lewis kept an organised Tockwith at bay. Then after some slick passing Euan finished a half chance to make it 1-0. Soon after Euan made it two with a long range effort that the keeper couldn't do anything about, 2-0 Cameron and George then came on to help strengthen our position. Tockwith re grouped and quickly pulled one back, but Tom then re established our lead with a customary thunderbolt. The sides changed ends at 3-1.
In the 2nd half, with the game finely balanced we kept the side unchanged. Tockwith started the quickest and pulled the scores level. Tom, Euan, Cameron and Jack all had chances that were saved. Ben saved an almost certain goal from going in with just a minute to go. A quick throw out and good control from Euan the break was on. Euan slid the ball down the line to Tom who nipped past the defender with ease, a hard low cross across the face of goal was too much for the Tockwith defence to handle and an outstretched Tockwith leg sent the ball into the back of the net. The game finished 4-3 to the Scorchers.
In our 2nd game, it was a different story. Tockwith switched their sides over and the Scorchers found themselves up against an even better side! George went in goal, Sam and Euan went in defence with Tom and Jack in midfield and Cameron up front. Some early goals from Tockwith all but ended the goal, but to their credit the boys battled and try as they might they could not get the ball in the back of the net. I counted of 10 on targeted chances that didn't cross the line! The keeper, likened to "Bruce Grobbalaar" by an out of touch coach was certainly there Player of the Match. On a normal day the game would have been a lot closer than the final score suggested. 0-5 to Tockwith.
On the other pitch, the Black squad new they would be in for a touch match with Jon H, Ethan, Luke, Lewis F, James, Owen and Jack S (a mix of a couple of Yr2, mainly Yr1s and young Jon just in Reception) against a strong all Yr2 Tockwith Line up. And so it proved.
A very powerful Tockwith squad, playing some very good football with some great passing, quickly took a stranglehold on the match scoring quick goals. Some good positioning from Jack S saw a couple of good break-aways thwarted at the last, while at the other end, tremendous tackling from Lewis and Jon kept many Tockwith attacks at bay. In the first match, and in the end, Tockwiths age and experience told, seeing them run out convincing winners.
In the second game, and when the referee finally notices our boys were playing against an extra man (!!!) the boys gained some good possession and their confidence grew. James H went very close, shaving the post. But that pressure seemed to spur Tockwith on and a couple of further goals saw them pull away for a final score that didn't do justice to our second half efforts.
The Coaches are really pleased with how every player performed on Saturday. individual skills and development aside, the boys can now be proud that they have contributed to a fine team effort this season - Jim, Craig and Darren are very proud of all of them!
In the 9's, the last game of the season saw Scotton Scorchers compete well in an exciting 3-3 draw against Tockwith at home. Scotton took an early 2-0 lead with goals from Jamie Foster and Alex Shaw but a slip in concentration at a corner allowed Tockwith to pull a goal back just before half time. Early in the second half Jamie Foster put Scotton 3-1 ahead with a well taken low shot for his 2nd goal of the game and 6th of the season. But Tockwith weren't beaten, pulling 2 goals back with a well taken penalty and a fortunate but well despatched free kick. Well done to both teams!
Scotton U11s put in a strong performance in both games against Tockwith. Winning the league 2-1 with strong attacking play, Scotton were 1-0 up by half time and suberb goal from Ben Lockwood after the break making it 2-0. Tockwith were able to pull 1 goal back to produce a tense finish but we held out. In the second game, Scotton were more dominant and ran out 6-0 winners, with goals coming from all areas of the team. Both games were backed up with solid defensive displays. While the 11s had to relinquish their league title to Ripley, they can be proud both their performances and progress over the season.
