It was a murky and damp Percy Fields that greeted the U9’s squad as they prepared to play Hampsthwaite & Birstwith. With 17 players turning out for Scotton the coaches agreed to play 3 games so that everyone got at least one full game. The first game started with a line up of George in goal along with Callum, Darren, Sam A, Sam J, Cameron and John.
Scotton started brightly and it looked like Callum had opened the deadlock early on only for the referee to bring play back and award a free kick to the visitors. This seemed to wake Hampsthwaite up and they won a corner which was easily dealt with by Scotton but the ball came back into the box and was slotted into the net by the visitors; 0-1.
The visitors continued to press the Scotton defence with Sam A, John and Sam J producing crunching tackles to break up play. Despite Scotton’s endeavour in defence the visitors always looked the more likely to score and eventually after more pressure made it 0-2, which it remained until half time.
The second half started as the first had ended with the visitors pressurising the home defence but good work by Darren produced an opportunity for Callum which the visiting goalie did well to save. Unfortunately Scotton could not keep up the momentum and after giving away a corner kick, the visitors got a third goal. Hampsthwaite continued to press deep into Scotton’s half, although there was good work by Darren, Sam J and Callum as they tried to take the game to the visitors.
George showed his ability between the sticks with a fantastic save to deny Hampsthwaite, however another period of sustained pressure just before the end resulted in a fourth goal. The final score was 0-4, although Scotton can take heart from the battling defensive display they showed against well organised opponents.
Scotton’s second team prepared to start with Ben in goal, Tom, Wilf, Luke, Ewan, David and Charlie as captain.
Hampsthwaite started strongly with Tom produced a well timed tackle to concede a corner, which was well defended; the visitors managed a shot which was well saved by Ben. The game moved into midfield with Ewan producing some good tackles but Hampsthwaite went ahead with a fantastic shot from 15 yards out; 0-1. The visitors continued to pressure with Ben again saving well.
Hampsthwaite won yet another corner and after a fantastic defensive header from Tom the ball was scrambled over the line; 0-2 to the visitors. Further pressure from the visitors was well defended by Scotton with Tom again using his head to clear a dangerous ball. Half time 0-2.
Scotton started the second half well and produced some early pressure with good play from David and Wilf resulting in a chance for Charlie which he buried in the back of the net, 1-2 and Scotton were back in the game! Scotton created a further chance when Ewan shot just wide after good approach play from David. This seemed to wake the visitors up and in quick succession they scored two further goals to make it 1-4. There was still time for Charlie to create another chance while Ewan and Luke showed great tenacity to break up the visitors midfield play. The full time whistle went with the score 1-4 to the visitors although Scotton can again take a great deal from a battling defensive performance.
The third game saw Cameron take his place in goal with the outfield team consisting of James, Jack, Callum, Darren, Owen and George.
As with the first two games the opponents took the initiative and applied early pressure, although both Darren and Callum showed their defensive qualities with good tackles. A further period of pressure from the visitors produce a fine save by Cameron but from the resulting corner the visitors scored, 0-1 to Hampsthwaite. George then had a good shot on goal which was well saved.
This seemed to galvanise the visitors again who threw everything at the Scotton goal with James, Jack and Owen doing their best to break up play in midfield. Then the visitors lay siege to the Scotton goal with Cameron produced five brilliant saves before the referee blew for half time; 0-1 to the visitors. The second half started with George, Cameron and Darren replaced by Sam, Wilf and John with James going in goal. Again the visitors looked to apply early pressure pinning the Scotton defence back. Ewan then joined the fray showing excellent battling qualities in midfield with Wilf, but eventually after a corner to the visitors they scored a second goal and further pressure resulted in a further goal to the visitors; Full time 0-3.
Despite three defeats the squad worked well together as a team and showed some excellent defensive play against a very strong Hampsthwaite & Birstwith team.
