A chilly, frosty Saturday morning - not one for the faint hearted, saw the return fixture between Scottons 8s and 9s with the younger ones looking to prove a point and show how they had developed from their clashes earlier in the season.
Game 1, and the 9's mixed things around with positions, with, for instance Joseph N in goal and, Jack S in defence and James H taking a turn with the striking boots. The 8's were playing in their usual formation and were looking for a strong performance from the whole squad.
The match started brightly as the sun came out, but both teams were finding it hard to control the ball on the hard ground - and a few tumbles just went to prove to the boys that it was no day for sliding tackles.
The 9s were trying to get their passing game going but a tenacious U8s team were well drilled and playing with great commitment. Some great tackling by Ennis M and Jack H thwarted several of the 9's attacks and 8's pressure was rewarded with a string of corners that they were unable to convert.
It took until nearly half time until the 9's made possession count with birthday-boy James H being in the right place to stroke home the ball to give the 9's a slim 1-0 halftime lead.
Changes at half time (to ensure none of the boys got cold) disrupted any impetus the 9's may have - that and some more great play from the 8s who were showing some fabulous application and no little skills - only matched by the 9's defensive play. Jacob K looked strong in goal for the 8's and made several brave saves whilst Sam H and Jonny H were unlucky not to score an equaliser after some great team play.
For the remainder of the half, the two teams produced some great end to end football and there could have been more goals. However defences held on (including a cracking block by the ear of Ben R) and the match finished with the score still 1-0.
A fiercely contested game which the 8's could be very proud of keeping the game so tight.
Game 2 and again the 9s were all change all over the pitch. The 8's switched a few around and the ground was starting to soften just a little. The 9s coaches pushed the ever-reliable goal poacher Jack S up front and it wasn't long before he was feeding of the runs from midfield to nudge home 2 goals before half time. The 8's defence was being overrun and only strong tackling from the midfield and defence prevented the 9's from scoring more.
In the second half, a few tackles and tumbles saw Joseph have to go off injured but the 9's continued their possession and pressure - as well as this season trick of sharing the goals around - with both Charlie and James C hitting the back of the net before the final whistle. Callum H was having some success on the left for the 8's and only some good goalkeeping stopped the 8's from scoring a deserved goal. A final score of 4-0 had seen the 9's take advantage of being that bit bigger and the 8's tiring a little, but all boys gave each other a great 'three cheers' at the end of a morning where all knew they had been in a game.
For the U9's - match 1 MOTM went to the boy who scored the decisive goal on his birthday - James H. In match 2 the MOTM went to Joel M who - when some where struggling a little with the conditions seemed to thrive and be everywhere on the pitch. It was brilliant to see how much the U8's have developed as a squad so far this year and how they stood up for themselves against the bigger players. Man of the day was a tough decision as there were 5 or 6 players who could have received it. The judges gave it to Sam H for his box to box running and clever passing.
Well done to all boys (and Parents/Guardians) - have a great Christmas, a well deserved rest and we will see you all fresh on Jan 7 for training and the second half of the season.
