On Saturday we visited Tockwith for our return matches . A good set of results on the first games of the season meant the boys were in high spirits and full of confidence. It was a very cold December morning, but undeturred by the weather we had another very strong turnout and split in two teams, with our older/more experienced boys (the Reds) on one (Wembley-esque) pitch and the Blacks, with our younger and newer boys on the other.
The Blacks lined up for the first game with 'Little' James H in goal, Alexander and Jacob in defence, Harrison and Jonathan Haase in Midfield with Jack, James & Ben Tweed leading the front line. It would be tough for the boys as Tockwith team were all Year2's, and the game started well with both teams having early chances. Tockwith's persistence paid off with a couple of early goals. To their credit the boys carried on battling with some great dribbling and passing from our midfield dynamo Jonathan! At half time we regrouped and carried on trying to break down the Tockwith defence. Unfortunately Tockwith were too strong three more goals. The goal tally could have been much greater had it not been for the incredible Alexander. He covered every blade of grass on the pitch and cleared the ball away from several certain goal opportunities.
To add to his great defensive work Alexander also had 30 yarder just goal wide and a 15 yard power driver go in meaning the game ended 5-1 to the home side.
In the 2nd match James 'the cat' Tweed went in goal meaning Little James could cause terror in the middle of the park! The game was a much tighter affair and the boys began to look more like an organised team with everyone holding their positions and playing for each other. Tockwith's side was unchanged and scored two early goals. Like true champions the Blacks tuck to their guns and forced Tockwith into a defensive error which led to an own goal. Little James was like a man possessed and tackled players almost twice his size! Harrison also showed some real grit by playing on after an ankle injury. After several goal mouth incidents in either half the very close game ended 2-1.
On the 'big' pitch in game 1 was a team of 6 with Joseph, Cam, Lewis D, Lewis F, Ethan and James England (staring after his MOTM performance in our last fixtures.) Scotton started very brightly with a great attack almost from the KO with Lewis Francis in the right place to nudge the ball home for the Scorchers. More pressure from the boys saw Cam grab his first of a profitable day, before Tockwith took a wel deserved opening to make it 1-2; Game on!!! There was no panic from the boys - who continued to both defend and clear with force and then use the size of the pitch to break at speak. One break saw Joseph go on a mazy run down the right, cutting inside to fire the ball with his left foot into the box where Cam to drill home his second - our third, to go in at half time 1-3 to Scotton. Second half was a much tighter affair. Tockwith showed some great skill and grit and where putting the goal under great pressure - only to be denied by some strong defending and keeping from Ethan including includung one great save with ball turned around the post. However in the end Tockwith broke through to get their second to make the last 2 minutes a frantic affair. However, the boys stood firm and actually had chances to finish the game off - but the final whistle saw Scotton take a well-battled 2-3 win.
A quick drink, and back out for the second game - this time with Alexander joining to make a 7-a-side game. It seemed that Tockwiths efforts in the previous game had taken a lot out of them. That, and some great defending from James and forward play saw, in quick succession, Can, Lewis and the Alexander score to take us 0-3 up. Cam was after his second when, being clean through was clipped in the area leaving the ref no choice but to award a penatly. Cameron stepped up, but his spot-kick was innitially stoppped. However, the ball was bouncing loose and broke again to Caneron on the edge of the area who lashed a great finish to get his deserved goal. Another from Cameron before the break saw the boys go in 0-5 at half time; a score that really reflected how well the team had done in the first half. As in the first game, Tockwith came out in the second half fired up and kept the Scorchers away from the goal despite some great individual skills. However, our 'all changed' defensive line were up to the challenge and kept all Tockwiths attacks well away from Ethan goal. As the game was drawing to a close, Lewis Dobson finally got his just rewards for some great individual and team play by getting the boy's 6th and closing the game out 0-6. On a big pitch and on an increasingly chilly day the boys should be very pleased with both their commitment and skill.
We gave 4 MOTM awards across the four games as there were just too many great displays to slim it down. For the Reds on the big pitch, the awards went to Lewis Francis who, as well as starting off our goal run stuck to his tasks and used his head at corners and free kicks to mark Tockwith out of the game. The second, not only for his strong defending and running but also for some great individual skills and dribbles to lay on some of our goals went to Joseph Navier.
For the Blacks, one went to Alexander who's displays in both Black and Red squads were tremendous, and James Hampson, who showed both skill and application in filling many different roles including a spell in the nets.
A special mention to for Jack Sherwin, who is still recovering from a nasty head injury but who played his part cheering on from the sidelines. Well done Jack and we can't wait to see you back in the Black and Red stripes in the New Year.
All the parents commented on how good the game was and as ever the Scotton and Tockwith boys ended with handshakes and smiles. A great 4 of games on a 'crisp' (to be polite) December morning. Well done to all who took part, you all played brilliantly! All the U7 coaches, Jim, Alex, Martin, Mark and Darren are very proud of how all the boys have done across the first half of the season. We have played some great football and our latest Scorchers members are shaping up to be a great, new bunch of team players. Have a great Christmas and New Year and we will see you all on Jan 9 for training. NOTE, this is likely to be a 1030am start at PERCY FIELDS - but we will send a mail out in the New Year confirming.
