The Under 9’s welcomed Kirby Malzeard Lions to a wet and damp Percy Fields for the first time with both teams attracting a sizable support despite the weather.
The coaches agreed to play two games and Craig started with George in goal, Sam J and Jack in defence, Cameron and Ewan covering the midfield with James and Darren in attack.
Scotton started brightly with Ewan and James looking in good form producing a couple of shots which well saved by the visiting ‘keeper’. Kirby managed to launch their first probe into Scotton’s area with George saving well. Both teams were sizing each other up in midfield; with Ewan and James trying to take the game to their opponents and James got in a good effort that was well saved, whilst Darren just sent the follow up wide.
Neither team were able to dominate play and after a couple of half chances by Darren and Cameron Kirby counter-attacked and despite the best efforts of George in goal managed to take the lead, 1-0 to the visitors. Scotton did not let their heads drop and tried to get straight back into the game with a corner which was scrambled away; Ewan then showed some good skill and got in a shot which went for another corner; the subsequent cross came over and James had another shot which went close. Ewan then showed his tenacity in defence breaking up a Kirby attack with a good tackle and pass to Darren who went on the attack.
The move of the game saw James skip past three opponents before unleashing an excellent shot which the goalie could not stop, get in there!!! 1-1 and Scotton were back in the game. Kirby came straight back at Scotton but Jack and Sam J defended well with James getting back to help, who in turn found Ewan with an excellent pass, allowing Ewan to attack the Kirby defence, before finding Darren who tried his luck from the edge of the box. An early substitute saw Ewan replaced by Wilf, who was quickly in the action taking a corner which ended with a scramble in the Kirby box. The visitors managed to clear the danger and launched another counter attack with Scotton’s defenders caught out of position leaving George exposed and unable to stop the visitors regaining the lead; 2-1 to the visitors.
As half time approached James continued to take the game to Kirby and provided Cameron with an opportunity to shoot which went just wide, before trying his luck with a shot which was blocked; again Kirby took advantage of Scotton’s pressing, this time getting the ball down the right and their player unleashed an unstoppable shot which bulged the back of the Scotton net; the whistle then went for half time, 3-1 to the visitors but Scotton can feel hard done by.
Craig made a few changes at half time with Cameron going in goal and Charlie going into midfield, whilst David bolstered the defence.
Scotton started the second half brightly with James and Darren working hard in midfield. Kirby again tried to use the counter attack, this time unsuccessfully with Cameron getting down to collect the ball. Scotton then managed a period of pressure in the Kirby half which led to a couple of corners in succession, the second finding David who moved the ball to James enabling him to score with an excellent shot, 3-2 to the visitors. Scotton then really went for it, Charlie and Darren combined well together and Charlie’s shot was well saved. Then James got in the act, unleashing another shot which struck the back of the net; what a hat trick! 3-3.
Scotton continued to press with Darren, Charlie and James working hard, whilst Jack and Sam J worked well with David to stifle any Kirby attacks. James then showed he can create them as well as score them by putting Charlie through and ‘cool as you like’ Charlie slotted the ball past the ‘keeper’, 4-3 to Scotton, what a come back!
Unfortunately the lead only lasted a minute or so with Kirby again using their pace to break away with Scotton attacking and with Cameron exposed in goal they equalised, 4-4 with full time approaching. There was still time for Kirby to get a fifth from another counter attack and despite the valiant efforts of Darren and James, Scotton could not find their way through and the game ended 5-4 to the visitors. Scotton can feel a little unlucky particularly James who scored an excellent hat trick, but well done to both teams for a thoroughly entertaining game.
The second game started with Darren and Tom in attack, Cameron continuing between the sticks, James in midfield with Sam A and Jack and Sam J in defence. Scotton got straight into their stride, applying early pressure and Darren scored with an excellent shot, 1-0 to Scotton. Tom showed his skill in midfield, finding Darren with an excellent pass – the shot going just wide. Tom then managed to create an opening, firing in a shot which was well saved by the ‘keeper’. James continued his good form, picking the ball up in midfield and getting a shot on goal which just went wide. James, Darren and Tom were combining well in midfield, and further pressure led to a corner, which was fired in by Tom, finding Darren whose shot was again well saved.
Kirby managed a rare break which was well cut out by Sam J, however the visitors were on the back foot again with Darren going close with a shot and then Tom picked up a loose clearance showed excellent control and fired the ball into the back of the net, 2-0 to Scotton. Kirby then showed the same counter attacking abilities as they did in the first game until Sam J broke up play, but a free kick was awarded which was smacked against the bar and cleared for a corner. Craig then made a further substitution with Sam A replaced by Wilf. The visitors tried to press forward into Scotton’s half but the home side held firm with some notably good defensive play from Sam J, Tom, Wilf.
Scotton were able to get the ball in their opponents half and Darren had a good shot that went for a corner, which Tom took and found Darren in space who scored with a deft shot into the corner of the goal. 3-0 to Scotton with half time approaching.
Craig made further changes at half time, brining on Callum and Luke for Tom and Sam A. And straight from the kick off Luke was in the thick of the action showing good defensive work to cut out a Kirby counter attack. Scotton then went on the attack, James and Sam J combining well and creating a chance for Callum whose shot was saved. James continued to dominate play and after some good approach play tested the ‘keeper’ again with another good effort. Scotton were more aware of Kirby’s counter attacking threat in this half with Luke doing some sterling work in defence to deny the away side; whilst Cameron saved well from another Kirby attack.
The Kirby goal was coming under intense pressure from Darren, Callum and James and after a mad scramble in the area where shots from both Darren and Callum were blocked, James followed up to make it 4-0 to the home side. With the final whistle fast approaching the visitor’s goal was being peppered by shots from Darren, James and Callum. From a corner by Callum, James got on the end of the ball in the box and fired it in to make it 5-0 to Scotton at the final whistle and a well deserved victory.
