A belated start to 2010 due to the bad weather saw the U9’s travel to Ripley for this ‘home’ game which was switched due to a waterlogged Percy Fields. It was another excellent turnout by the squad who were itching to get playing again after the festive period.
The first game kicked off with George in goal, Owen, Sam, Tom, Ewan, Darren and Callum leading the line up front. Ripley started brightly with some early pressure in the Scotton half, however Sam and Tom got in some good defensive tackles to break up play – the latter enabling Darren to make progress down the right and force a corner, which lead to a good shot by Darren that was equally well saved.
Both teams continued to test each others defences without success until Ripley broke out of defence after some good Scorchers pressure and went straight to the ‘visitors’ goal and scored with an excellent shot that George could do nothing about. Scotton did not let their heads drop and Ewan show excellent battling qualities in midfield helped out by Darren, Callum and Tom. Ripley again attempted to break forward quickly from midfield and some excellent defensive play by Callum snuffed out the home sides attack.
Scotton then got some momentum going up front with Darren and Callum combining well which led to an excellent cross which was met by Ewan, 1-1 and Scotton were level. This sparked further pressure from the visitors and some good play in midfield by Tom with an excellent pass to Darren whose shot went narrowly wide. Callum followed up with a further shot which again just went wide as the home side struggled to contain Scotton’s attacking play. The visitor’s pressure relented just before half time and two fantastic saves in quick succession from George kept the scores level as the ref blew for the break. HT 1-1
The second half started with Scotton again taking the game to Ripley with Ewan tenacious in the tackle from midfield. A neat header by Tom let in Darren who continued his recent scoring form by slotting the ball passed the home ‘keeper’; 2-1 to Scotton. Scotton continued to attack Ripley and good combination play from Ewan and Darren led to Callum getting a good shot in which was well saved.
Ripley managed to gain some momentum and break up Scotton’s dominance with a couple of quick corners and after Tom tried to conjure a quick break, the ball came back into the Scotton box only for George to make another great save. The game was going from one end to another as Callum and the Ripley forwards had chances to score which just went wide. The ‘home’ side were desperately seeking an equaliser however Ripley did not count for George in goal who produced his fourth fine saved of the game, whilst Callum, Ewan and Tom continued to defend with great effect supported by Owen and Sam. As time ticked away there was still time for George to make another two excellent saves as the team worked really hard to keep their opponents out. Full time 2-1 to Scotton.
The second game promised to be equally exciting with Ben taking his place in goal, and in the outfield was Luke, Charlie, David, Jack, Wilf and Cameron. Ripley started the game well and applied some early pressure which was well handled by Wilf, David and Charlie who managed to get the ball out of defence; however another Ripley attack led to an excellent shot into the top corner which Ben could do nothing about, 1-0 to Ripley. Straight from the re-start Ripley tried to get forward and put Scotton under pressure but David cut out the danger helped by Luke and got the ball into midfield. Scotton then pushed forward and David joined in to support Charlie as Scotton tried to push for an equaliser.
David, Jack and Cameron showed some good defensive work cutting out a Ripley attack but the ball came back in and the shot was well saved by Ben. More pressure from the home side produced further good defensive play by Cameron and Charlie as Ripley threatened to take a firm grip on the game. As the half wore on Charlie and Cameron managed to pin Ripley back into midfield, although as half time approached Ben had to produce another excellent save to keep the score down. Half Time 1-0 to Ripley, and the coaches made a change with Sam A coming on for Jack.
The game re-started with Ripley again putting pressure on Scotton’s defence, David worked well to win the ball and pass to Charlie who went through on goal and scored an excellent goal, 1-1 and Scotton were back in the game. This gave the lads a real boost and they started to take the game to their opponents with Wilf, Charlie and David working hard to get a shot on goal, whilst Cameron and Luke did not forget their defensive duties providing good cover for Ben. Wilf, Sam A and David battled away in midfield and this created another chance for Charlie who tried to beat the ‘keeper’ to the ball, both bravely went for the ball with the ‘keeper’ coming off worse after they collided.
When the game re-started with the ‘home’ keeper okay to continue Scotton again pressed forward into Ripley’s half, keeping their shape well to count any breaks from the Ripley forwards, with Cameron and Wilf providing some important blocks, whilst in midfield David and Sam A provided a release from the pressure putting Charlie through on goal with a shot which was well saved. With the game still level and full time approaching Ripley pushed forward and won a corner which was partially cleared but Ripley fired it back into the box and the ball sailed over everyone’s heads and over the line. 2-1 to Ripley and the full time whistle went soon after.
The third game saw Charlie take his place between the posts and George played outfield joining Tom, Ewan, Sam A, Jack and David. Scotton applied some good early pressure with Ewan running half the length of the pitch and winning a corner which was cleared by Ripley. Tom then tried to get a shot in on goal but was fouled just outside the box! The free kick was taken by Tom and was powered just over the bar to a chorus of ‘ooohs’ from the sidelines. Scotton kept up the pressure and won a succession of corners which they went to close to scoring from, whilst any Ripley pressure was being snuffed out by David, Sam A and George with some good tackles. The game turned into a midfield battle for the remainder of the half with Sam A and George making sure Ripley could not create any chances. Just before the half time whistle David made an excellent break from midfield which was stopped by the Ripley defence. Half time 0-0 and the coaches made a few changes with Darren, Callum, Wilf, Sam and Ben joining David, Sam A and Jack.
Scotton again started the half strong, with Callum getting an early shot which led to a couple of corners as Scotton pushed for the lead. Ripley then tried to get at the Scotton goal and after some good defending from Callum and Jack the ball came back into the box and Ripley were ahead 1-0. The lads did not let their head drop however and after some good attacking play by Darren and Callum, Callum manages to break through the Ripley rear guard and scores with an excellent finish, 1-1 and game on…
Callum again created another chance which was saved and just as the whistle was about to blow Ripley cracked the cross bar with an excellent shot, which was scrambled away. The full time whistle went with the scores 1-1; overall the squad played really well against good opposition and over the three games the results were a fair reflection on two equally matched sides.
