Scorchers U7's ( Ethan, James H, Joseph, Jon, Lewis D, Lewis F, and
Alexander) made the long trip out to Kirkby Malzeard to play the
leagues newest club. Kirkby 7s are still forming a team, and so the
matches were played as 5-aside with rolling subs. A cold morning and
the long grass on the pitch was always going to be leveller between
the teams; it was neither the weather or the surface for our
Brazilian, passing football - we needed a new plan!
In the first of two games, and with Ethan in goal for the first half,
the boys were sharp out of the blocks, with Joseph going through their
team right from the off to score. Jon was next up to slot one home,
and then just before the half time break Alexander made it 0-3.
The pressure continued in the second half, so much so that Kirkby put one
into their own goal in an attempt to clear. But Kirkby were starting
to come into it and put together a good period of pressure on our
goal - but we stood firm with some great mopping up at the back from
James. Alexander was thrown on again as a big forward man, and he did
the business by getting a couple more quick goals to complete his hat-
trick and finish the game off. Final score 0-6.
Kirkby had began to find their feet, but to make more of a contest
they played with an extra man in the second game. And it made a
difference with a much more even first half. We nearly took the lead
with Lewis Dobson is acres of space in front of goal, but the pass to
him from Ethan just got caught up in the grass. Kirkby keeper for this
half was also making a bunch of excellent stops, notably from James
and Lewis. The boys then had to withstand quite a bit of pressure, but
with a cool head James found Joseph who sprinted through to put us one
up at half-time.
Going into the last half, Lewis D took the keepers shirt, knowing that
Kirkby were growing and putting us under pressure. The best way to
ease this was to score, and Alexander grabbed another for himself. He
then - Rory Delap style - launched a long throw which Joseph bravely
got his head onto it to flick it backward into the goal - their keeper
was unlucky not too keep it out. Straight from the restart, Joseph
stole the ball and then battled his way past the whole Kirkby team to
score an excellent solo effort, finishing with his left foot from a
tight angle. As the match was drawing to a close, Lewis Francis got
his name on the scoresheet to take it to 0-5 - but the Lions then
roared - scoring (their coach said) their first - and very well
deserved - goal this season with a fine chipped effort high passed
Lewis. Final Score 1-5.
A huge well done to all the boys (and their parents for taking them
out there) today - and special mention to Martin Dobson on his first
week 'on staff' with the club - a really good job and taking on the
ref duties - Thanks. And also thanks to Sarah Francis for taking on
kit wash duties this week.We gave just one man of the match today - and it
went to one boy who - while not getting on the scoresheet today - was
excellent in all the positions he played today, took charge when at
the back and showed some great skills - even in the long grass - going
forward. A big WELL DONE to James Haveron.
Next week, training as normal at the Cricket Club, 9.30am sharp. See
you there.
