A belated start to the league season for the U11 boys saw them travel the short distance to Ripley with weather more like the height of summer rather then the start of October.
David Lyon captained the side and took his place at the heart of defence alongside Michael Johnson making his Scotton debut; Cameron Latimer was in goal with James Broady in midfield supported on the wings by Callum Penny and Tom Johnson with Darren Barker up front as the lone striker. On the subs bench were Liam Machon-Inman, Brad Shaw and Sam Jameson
Scotton kicked off and straightaway created problems for the hosts as James showed great energy in the centre of midfield, he created an early chance for Darren whose shot went just wide. After further pressure including a couple of corners which were cleared James and Tom created an incisive break for Callum to get in an excellent shot to make it 1-0 to the visitors.
Scotton continued to dictate play with James and Darren linking well together and Callum and Tom causing problems for the home defence, Tom in particular tried his luck with a couple of shots which were well saved. At the other end Cameron marshalled the defence well and when called on made a good early save to retain the Scotton lead.
Scotton continued to dominate the play in the first half, Tom seeing another shot saved whilst David tried his luck with a cracking effort that went just wide.As half time approached Callum and Tom again had opportunities to increase the Scotton lead but both saw their shots well saved by the home keeper who was in good form. The whistle went for the break with Scotton 1-0 ahead.
The first change of the day saw Liam replace James in midfield at half time. The second half started with Ripley taking the game to the visitors, the early pressure almost paid off immediately with Cameron forced into making an excellent save with the follow up scooped just wide. The pressure continued and before long Ripley were level with a shot that Cameron had no chance of stopping in the Scotton goal, 1-1 and game on! Ripley had the bit between their teeth now, and before long were 2-1 ahead again from a fine move that Scotton could do nothing about. Brad came on for Michael and despite going behind Scotton’s heads did not drop and David showed his leadership qualities by taking the game to the opposition. Before long it paid off as Tom attacked from the left and skipped past three challenges before planting the ball into the back of the net for a wonderful solo goal. Two-all as the game moved towards the final whistle, Darren was replaced by Sam with Liam moving upfront and Sam going into midfield. Ripley was not finished however and Scotton had Cameron to thank for still being level with a couple of fantastic saves, one of which he managed to lift over the bar despite being fully stretched. This gave Scotton a lift and David got in a good position and fired in an excellent shot which was equally well saved by the home keeper. David took the resultant corner and the unexpected happened as it whistled straight into the Ripley net through a crowded box, 3-2 to Scotton with only seconds remaining. Scotton held out without any further drama and full time was blown with Scotton 3-2 winners, it was an outstanding team effort with everyone playing their part in exceptionally hot conditions, Davids leadership from the back and wonder goal to win the match for Scotton was only edged in the man of the match award by Cameron, whose second half display including a host of fantastic saves when under pressure from the Ripley forwards kept Scotton in the game.
The second game kicked off with Liam in goal, David and Michael in defence, Brad took the midfield berth, Sam went on the left wing and Cameron on the right wing with Callum upfront as the lone striker. Tom and Darren started on the bench. Scotton started strongly, Brad saw an early shot fumbled by the home keeper but it was Callum who opened the scoring, firing in a fine shot after being played in. Cameron was in full flow on the right wing firing in a cross cum shot which just evaded Callum's lunge; Callum almost scored a second from a Cameron throw in, his shot just rising above the crossbar. David then snuffed out a Ripley break before Cameron and then David saw shots blocked as Scotton tried to extend the lead. Brad then found Cameron whose shot cracked the post and rebounded to safety. As half time approached Callum made it 2-0 as Cameron played Callum through and he coolly slotted the ball past the Ripley keeper. It remained two-nil at half time, and Tom replaced Callum, and Darren came on for David; Cameron went up front with Tom moving to the right wing. The second half started with Scotton again applying pressure to the Ripley defence, Tom's good approach play found Cameron whose shot was well saved; Tom then tried his luck after Sam’s shot was scrambled off the line, Tom's shot ended in the net to make it 3-0. Scotton were attacking at will, Tom creating chances for both Brad and Sam who were well cleared by the home defence. Scotton were 4-0 up from the most direct of attacks, Liam in goal was the creator, firing a goal kick which found Cameron running onto the ball and firing it into the back of the net. Scotton were not finished, Darren playing at the back found Tom who skipped past three defenders and fired it in to make it 5-0. Scotton made a couple of positional changes, Darren moved up front with Cameron replacing him in defence and Tom exchanged places with Michael who went over to the right hand side of midfield. The changes did not affect Scotton's play, Brad playing against his old team fired in to make it 6-0. With time running out Michael and Sam tried their luck with shots that went just wide, the full time whistle went with Scotton winning 6-0. Another excellent all round team performance with all the players contributing to a fine result, the man of the match award was edged by Michael who was fantastic in defence and helped the team keep a well deserved clean sheet in hot conditions.
