Match Report U8 Saturday 23rd October 2010
The Scorchers took their turn to shine last Saturday at the Cricket Club with a series of great matches against the always competitive Beckwithshaw.
Running two pitches at once (the Pavilion pitch and the Bonfire pitch) we split our U8s into equally skilled teams for each to play two 15m EW games.
Pavillion Pitch - Game 1
The game started at quite a pace with James Haveron taking a rare turn between the sticks having to make 2 great saves in the first few minutes. This was followed very quickly by some solid defending by Scorchers. Within seconds the play had gone to the other end with Charlie taking a good shot from just inside the halfway line. From this long goal kick Beckwithshaw attacked with speed and scored. 0-1. From the centre kick Beckwithshaw pushed again with a very strong attack making James H having to clear another strong save. Scotton’s defence were working very hard including an amazing tackle from Jack Sherwin to break up a further Beckwithshaw attack. This clearance enabled Lewis Francis to counter attack and have a shot on goal. Just wide!!. Another attack forced a corner in Scotton’s favour. Cam B took a cracking corner which just evaded everyone. Throughout the first half there was very strong work from Jack S on the wing but the final action of the half was more sterling defence with James E making a great clearance to stop another quick attack.
HT. 0-1.
Beckwithshaw came out very strong after half time and quickly extended their lead by going 0-2 up. The pressure continued and James H in goal made another thumping clearance up the field. James’ kick enabled Lew F to have a great run down the wing which was only just curtailed by Beckwithshaw’s defence. Scotton finally got the goal they had been looking for with a great finish from Charlie after Tom took a chance to break and ran the ball down the wing, passing it to Charlie for the finish. 1-2. However, they say the most dangerous time is just after scoring, and this proved the case. From the centre kick Beckwithshaw had a strong attack which was defended for a corner. They took it quickly with a very strong kick into the box for a goal. A good contest but all would agree that the result was a fair reflection of the game.
Final score 1-3!
Pavillion Pitch - Game 2
Game 2 – and Scotton were looking to equal the scores. Within the opening minute of this second game Jack S took a fantastic shot on goal and scored. 1-0. This was followed by a continuation of this strong start with Scotton dominating the first half. Charlie quickly got the ball and scored a convincing second goal for the boys. 2-0. Shortly after the second goal Beckwithshaw won a free kick. It was a power shot which was defended by Jack S in fantastic style. Lewis got the chance to take a corner which was well defended by Beckwithshaw, who broke away and forced new keeper Lew F to make 2 great saves, James Haveron to defend a good chance on goal and Charlie to defend a corner all within a few minutes! Another opportunity by Beckwithshaw was very well defended by Jack S.
HT. 2-0
The second half opened with an attack by Beckwithshaw which was saved convincingly by Lew F. Again another attack came which was again defended by Jack S. Beckwithshaw then earned a corner and was tucked away giving the Keeper little chance. 1-2. Game on. The centre kick enabled Joseph N to get a break which was defended well. With all boys getting tired the play was now end to end with some fantastic attacking and some great defending. Finally Jack S got the break he deserved and scored his second of the game.
Final Score. 3-1!
Men of the match across the two Pavillion Pitch games were Lewis Francis for his work outfield and in goal in the second match – and to Jack Sherwin for his goals and his braveness after taking a pretty hefty kick in the face.
Bonfire Pitch - Game 1
On the Bonfire Pitch, the other half of the U8s kicked off and it was clear from the start it was going to be an even and competitive game. The first pressure was Scotton’s with a quick break and a flash shot across the face of the Becks goal. The boys pressed again and gained a free kick on the end of the Becks box for a handball. Joseph N stepped up and hit a low drive which the Becks defence scrambled for a throw. Becks came back with their own pressure, with Josh and Alexander were working well at the back to keep the danger away from Joel in goal. More Scotton pressure saw the ball bounce free to Alexander who was waiting for just such a chance from the half way line. Hi struck the ball perfectly and it flew like a rocket into the back of the net. Great strike.
HT. 1-0
The boys kicked of the second half like they finished the first. More pressure, with Lewis Dobson now playing up front saw a goalmouth scramble with Lewis D getting his toe to the ball to stab it home. They all count. 2-0. Beckwithshaw cam out fighting, and James Tweed (now in goal) had to make a great instinct save to keep a shot out. But the pressure continued and despite the back 3s best efforts couldn’t withstand for ever with Beckwithshaw pulling a goal back with just 2 minutes remaining. The boys were now under intense pressure and everyone was needed in defence. One final great corner from Beckwithshaw flew across the goal dangerously but no-one could get a touch. The final whistle blew, and the boys had held on.
Final Score. 2-1
Bonfire Pitch - Game 2
Losing a few to a party, the team took the field again, and it seemed the exertions of the first game had taken a bit of the energy out of the boys. It was backs to the wall defending for much of the first half with what was some (admittedly) great Becks play. Josh and Joseph deserve particular praise for their strong defending and some great tackles. On the rare occasion in the first half that Scotton had some possession Joel and Lewis pressing and holding the ball up to give the backs a break.
HT. 0-0
In the second half, Lewis and Joseph swapped into the back to keep it tight while Alexander was having some god success up front. The half was much more even. Almost against the run of play Becks broke away to fire in a goal. Their pressure had deserved it but the boys were disappointed. A few positional changes and we were soon pressing again. But some tired legs didn’t quite have the speed required to turn chances into goals and as the final whistle went Beck had got even in the double header.
Final score. 0-1.
Man of the match for these games goes to Lewis Dobson for being in the right place at the right time both to score and to break up lots of Becks pressure.
