Scorchers youngers club members did the black and red proud by winning 3 and drawing 1 against Knaresborough Celtic U6 and U7 teams.
A sunny morning saw – as expected – our smaller squads stretched to their limit while Celtic arrived dauntingly en-masse at the cricket club with more than double the numbers per age group. The boys new they would have to really pull out the stops, show their skills and spirit and play as a team if we were going to succeed against bigger teams and fresher legs.
Game 1
Split into 2 teams as ever, the Reds starred Jacob, Josh, James E, Ben T, Jack L, Jonathan, and Harrison. The Reds started at an amazing speed, with a host of goal-mouth scrambles and other chances just missed or saved by the busy Celtic keeper. At the other end Jacob made some good blocks and big clearances out for Jon and Harrison to start fresh attacks. Josh bravely took a ball in the face making a block and had to take a break on the sides switching for Jack – but the boys still continued to press. At half-time – somehow – it was still 0-0, but after a quick drink they were eager to get back on and grab the goals they deserved. And finally they did. A great move saw the ball arrive at James England's feet and he made no mistake with a cool finish.1-0 Scotton – and the boys wanted more – none more so then Ben who as ever covered every single blade of grass on the pitch. However we needed to keep it tight at the back and Jacob, helped by Harrison, kept Celtic at bay. The final whistle was met with great celebration with the boys clinging on to their 1-0 win and knowing that they had the chances to make it more. Roll on the next game.
Game 2
This game both teams started with 7 players on the pitch. Both teams started well but the Scotton defence stood strong and managed to break down each of the Celtic attacks before they could get a shot on goal. Some great first half defence and midfield tackling from James E, Harrison and Ben T gave the Scotton team confidence to move forward with Jonathan and Jack L progressing forward at every opportunity. Josh scored 2 great goals in close succession in the first half to put Scotton ahead 2-0. Half-time.
At the start of second half Jack went in goal and Jacob slotted into the central defence. Again Scotton pushed forward and Celtic could not withstand the pressure, Jonathan set off on mazy run into Celtic half and scored Scotton's 3rd goal of the match. 3-0.
Celtic brought on an extra player in the latter stages of the match but still could not find their way past a strong Scotton side. Jack made a great late save from a close range Celtic shot but managed to keep the ball out of the Scotton net. The game finished 3-0.
Well done boys and great game from start to finish, every player played there part and were good value for their 3-0 victory.
Man of the Match for the red squad went to Jonathan Haase who put in a performance full of energy and no little skill as well as grabbing the vital 3rd goal to seal the 2nd game.
The Black squad comprised of Joseph, Jack S, Alexander, James T, Lewis D, Lewis F, Cameron and Ethan.
Game 1
The Scotton boys were unusually slow out of the blocks on this hot sunny morning, Scotton had a couple of early shots but were well saved by the Celtic keeper. The game progressed and Celtic grabbed the opening goal of the match with a low drive which sneaked past Ethan in goal. After some good defending by Alexander and Lewis F the ball went out for a Celtic corner, as the Scotton players were organising themselves Celtic took a quick corner which caught the Scotton boys by surprise and was deflected in for a own goal past Ethan. 0-2. The Scotton players complained to the referee but the goal stood, as a result the Scotton players suddenly realised they had to do something to bring this game back.
Straight from the restart Cameron latched onto the ball and took on several Celtic players and advanced towards the Celtic goal before being tackled, the ball fell to poacher Jack Sherwin who calmly slotted the ball past the Celtic in form keeper, "GOAL" 1-2 and now it was game on!
Lewis D and Joseph plugged up the defence at the back as Lewis F and Alexander started to overcome the Celtic midfield and dominate possession, Jack and Cameron were causing chaos up front in front of the Celtic goal which resulted in the Celtic goal keeper pulling off some great saves. The Scotton attacks were now coming wave after wave but Scotton were struggling to get the ball in to the back of the net. Suddenly there was a goal mouth scramble involving all the players from both teams, the ball fell to Cameron who managed to get the shot away which sneaked past the Celtic keeper "GOAL" 2-2.
Celtic had a number of attempts at the Scotton goal towards the later stages of the match but with Ethan doing a great job in goal and some great tackling by Joseph, James T and Lewis D we managed to keep the scores level. The final whistle blew and the score finished level 2-2.
This was one of the best performances by the Scotton blacks this season having to come back from a deficit of 0-2 to finish level against arch rivals Knaresborough Celtic who were holding on at the end!
Game 2
After showing amazing spirit in game 1, the boys wanted to show they had an equal amounts skill in game 2. And how they did!!! A flying start and intense pressure from the off saw Cameron break free and smash home a great strike – Scotton were 1 up inside the first couple of minutes. However Celtic had their own pressure, with Lewis F, Lewis D and Joseph all having to make some brave tackles and clearances to keep our lead. The Cam struck again – another Celtic attack was broken up and drilled up from with Cameron latching onto the through ball to grab his and Scotton 2nd – 2-0. But even better was to come with the best move of the game. Started from James T at the back, the ball flowed through our midfiled via Alexander and Joseph, towards Cameron who played a great back across the box for Jack to cooly come in at the back post (just like we do in training) and slot home our 3rd. The half was drawing to a close but Joseph picked the ball up at the back and skipped past a couple of Knaresborough players. As he approached the goal – he was just about ready to pull the trigger when the whistle blew!! No one could accuse our refs of being bias :) Half time, 3-0 to Scotton.
The boys couldn't wait to get back out for the 2nd half – but the heat and after already playing over half an our of football solid there was a little bit of tireness. Subs were used regularly to give some of the boys a break – but this did lessen our cutting edge a little bit. However, we were still holding tight at the back and making a few chances up front. Celtics pressure did get it's reward when they pulled a goal back towards the end of the game -the boys not able to track back quick enough to protect Ethan goal. However the final whistle blew and the boys celebrated a great win and a very impressive performance. Final score Scotton 3 – 1 Knaresborough Celtic.
Two MOTM awards were given. One went to Ethan who had his finest performance so far for the club, and the other to Cameron for some great runs and finishes to grab some vital goals.
A great morning – thanks to all the parents for their support (and for Mrs Langdon for doing the kit-wash) It was great to see the boys playing some great football, looking good on the ball, hitting some lovely strikes at goal and really playing as a team. For the Coaches it's fantastic to see all the efforts at training really starting to show through. Well done to each and every one of the boys.
