Scorchers Unbeaten Run Continues
16/10/2010
By ‘Guido Scoop’
The seasons roll on. Time continues its’ relentless march and Scotton Scorchers U7 remain a force to be reckoned with.
Autumn seemed neither mellow nor fruitful – apart from the ripening mushrooms around the pitch – as coach Hampson put his elite U7s through their warm-up routine. Harsh rain blew in heavy swathes across a lead-lined firmament. The sheep in the next field would not, or could not, raise their heads against the wind.
But as the team was announced, Capello-like, just before the whistle the weather broke and a ring of cool blue began to show itself around the corners of the sky.
Scotton moved quickly up field from the kick-off, playing towards the Sheep End. Early pressure down the right saw the Scorcher’s formation quickly lost as the team sensed an early chance and charged forward en masse. To the coach’s dismay, when Ripley broke away the Scorcher’s defence was nowhere to be seen. Smart work in foot and brain saw Ripley’s number 15 finish clinically across the face of the keeper low into the corner of the net. 0 – 1 and the game hardly a minute old.
This Scotton team is hewn from Yorkshire grit though and the restart saw them retaining formation and begin to boss the game. A determined tackle in a bunched midfield allowed Johnny to surge forward and his shot rebounded unluckily away off the post. From the resulting corner, a low shot somehow tangled in the Ripley keeper’s legs. An anguished cry rang out from players and spectators alike: how did it not get through?
Ripley came back at the Scorchers. The Rockets’ midfield pair offer skills in abundance and an intimidating physical presence. Yet the Scorchers broke again, diagonally left to right, turning defence into attack. A low shot flew wide and for the second time gasps rose from the crowd. Still 0 -1, but the Scorchers sensed a breakthrough was coming. Ben Tweed shot well from the right to force another fine save, then a corner. Another shot flew in and several players couldn’t help but throw hands to head in amazement that the scores had not drawn level.
But with the game still at 0 – 1 Ripley came out again to attack. A quick move to the right drew a foul for a full-blooded challenge from Ben Rosey. The resulting free-kick was sweetly struck and destined for the same corner as Ripley’s opener until a full-stretch leap from Jacob pushed the ball to safety around the post.
This was the Scorchers’ turning point. Ripley’s skill would deliver chances and they needed goals of their own.
As play continued James brought the ball calmly forward from defence, put the ball to Harrison who layed a perfectly weighted pass into the path of Johnny. The shot is wide but suddenly the Scorchers’ belief is back and almost immediately from open play Ben Tweed shoots low into the net. 1 – 1.
After the restart, Ripley begin to rely more and more on their talismanic number 15. However his Ronaldoo-like spins only got him so far against a now more resolute Scorchers midfield and one piece of showboating too much saw the ball picked off him. Possession theirs, Scotton poured forward – though with much better shape and James pounced to drive the ball home. Scorchers 2 -1 up.
As Ripley tried to come back Jacob saved again but in the run-up to half time the game was all Scotton; the highlight an outrageous double free kick struck by Johnny and Ben Tweed simultaneously. The twin contacts put a heavy spin on the ball but, with the keeper stranded, heavy-legged; the ball flicked the post and just fell wide. ‘Incredible foota-ball’, as the Italians might say – and a feat that this Scoop has never seen in over thirty-five years on the sidelines.
Half time couldn’t come soon enough for Ripley.
For the second half Coach Hampson mixed things up. Jacob Cardani took over in nets; Bruno, Freddie and Callum stepped on further up the pitch.
The sun was now shining brightly and the lack of a reversal of ends saw some parents come over just a little combative in a tightly packed crowd. One mum, who asked not to be named, commented that ‘victory would be all the sweeter’ when forced to play into bright sunlight for the whole game. While such comments reflect the battling spirit of the Scorchers, one hopes they won’t spill over into scenes of unpleasantness as the season reaches its’ climax.
The second half was a continental fan’s dream. Almost continual defence for Scotton.
With Ripley’s number 15 attempting a one-man come back for the hosts and employing good movement, direct passing and a spirit of adventure, Scotton were under regular, and heavy, pressure.
Scotton’s chances in this half were rarer and after a shot by Johnny, Ripley broke fast. Thankfully for team, coach – and the increasingly rapt parents – Callum and Freddie had a blinder in defence. A series of perfectly timed challenges, sensible defensive positioning and strength on and off the ball saw Ripley’s attacks repulsed again and again. And when Ripley resorted to shooting from further out Jacob Cardani was up to the task, including smothering a good long shot mid-way through the half. But the pressure was building and eventually a piece of individual brilliance saw Ripley draw level. Of course, it was the number 15. Finding space in central midfield he strode forward and placed a delightful shot off the outside of his right boot into the corner of the net. Jacob Cardani had no chance. 2 – 2.
Most of the game was now in the Scotton half and only a series of great tackles from Callum and Freddie and another save from Jacob C kept the Scorchers in the game.
Though the game was in its dying minutes by now there was still time for further twists. The ball fell to Jacob on the halfway line and a pleasing swivel turn with close control saw him set-up to release a shot powerfully at the Ripley goal. An agonised ‘Oooohhh’ rose from the crowd as the ball struck the outside of the post yet again.
Still Ripley poured forward. Bruno’ s fine defensive block kept the Rockets at bay but the pressure told and close to the whistle the Rockets found themselves clear in front of goal again. Jacob Cardani stood firm and made a fine double save to keep the scores even and Scotton on track for an unbeaten start to the season.
The half - and the game - ended with a committed Callum giving everything to block Ripley’s final attack.
“Brilliant.” Was a delighted Coach Hampson’s summary of Callum’s last minute block and the team’s performance.
Callum was also mentioned in Man of The Match dispatches but this week’s award went to Freddie for tireless determination and great all round effort.
In the second game, Scotton won 6 – 3. The six were comprised of a brace of goals for Harrison, Johnny and Ben Tweed. Harrison was awarded man of the match, which his own parents neutrally and independently described as ‘the goal of the season’.
The development side fared less well against a Ripley team packed with bigger boys and although they lost their first game heavily they improved throughout and defended better and better as the match went on.
In the first match Max won man of the match and a good performance in goal found Alex Navier given the honours in the second game.
