RIPLEY RETURN LEGS SHOW SCOTTON SQUADS STRENGTH AND BRING TWO GREAT WINS!
Saturday saw the U9s return fixtures against local rivals Ripley - who gave us our one and only defeat all season so far. Boys and coaches where determined to show how much they had developed as a team in the way we play and in how we think about the games.
We knew their tactics, - strong forwards and long balls from the back - (the 'Stoke' of the Nidderdale league wouldn't be unkind comment) and we needed to show that we could cope with this and still play football in conditions that were a little muddy.
A full squad today allowed the Coaches options, with Match 1 starting with Ethan in goal, James H and Lew D as centre halfs at the back, Tom M and Lew F on the wings with Joseph N in the middle behind Jack as a lone striker.
The match started with Scotton pressure from the off with good play from Lew F to Jack; bringing a save from the Ripley keeper. Tom M and Joseph then pressed and again the in form Ripley keeper denied Scotton taking an early lead. Ripley then cleared long, a slight initial fumble from Ethan saw the ball bobble free but Ripley couldn't capitalise. Ripley came again but a strong tackle from from Lew D stopped the break and Lew F cleared for a corner. From this corner Ethan again needed all his height to tip the in-swinging ball over the bar. The remainder of the half was frantic, with Lew F hitting a strike into the side netting, Tom having an effort saved and James H having to thwart a number of Ripley break-aways from their long-kicking keeper.
Half time, 0-0, and the coaches wanted to change a few things around to try and see if we could provide more support to Jack up front. Charlie and Frankie came on in place of Lew F and Tom M on the wings.
Almost straight from the restart Scotton got a free kick in a dangerous position but Josephs strike went wide. However he wasn't to be beaten. Next corner Jack worked a short one to Joseph who took one touch and hit a right foot which the keeper couldn't keep out. 1-0 Scotton; sharp thinking and a great strike - just like in training.
At the other end of the pitch Joseph & Frankie were needed with some strong tackles in defense as Ripley - unbeaten in their 'Game 1' matches all season - looked for an equaliser. Ripley got what they where after from a great corner and an even better volley. 1-1, 5 minutes left and game on.
Joseph took a knock and had to go off - replaced by Lew F. Scotton continued to play their football with some nice 1-2s between Frankie and Jack which lead to a corner. Charlie swung the ball in from the left which Lew D met with a perfectly timed header. 2-1, the crowd go wild... can the boys keep going? More than hold on, the boys went looking for another with a run from Frankie seeing him shot just wide. In the final minute, the boys kept tight to their roles with James H ensuring that Ripley were allowed no more attacks on Ethans goal. Final whistle 2-1 and a well deserved, hard fought win.
Game 2 started James T go in goal, James E and Alexander at the back, Joel, Tom and Lew F across the middle and James C in the strikers role (our now famous 2-3-1 system). The boys started well, with Alexander finding a lot of space and going on a mazy run that brought a good save from Ripleys keeper. Lew F then saw his strike saved and James C had the ball nipped from his toes just as he was about to pull the trigger. The breakthrough must come... More pressure led to a corner taken by Tom M. A great delivery saw James C stoop to nod the ball home and put the boys 1-up. Joel and the midfield continued to press, with support and strength from Alexander, but James E was called on to stop a couple of break-aways from Ripley. Alexander was still making great lung-busting runs from the back, again bringing good saves from Ripley on two more occasions. His rewards finally came from another burst forward and a low strike... 2-0.
Scotton weren't finished in the half yet, with Lew F battling three defenders before shooting wide and Tom M with some great control and again unlucky to shoot wide.
Half time - 2-0 and a 'quiet' half in goal for James T.
For the second half James came outfield with Tom M taking the keepers jersey. Frankie came on for Lew F in the middle, James C dropped to midfield and Charlie played upfront. The boys started as they left off, with a defense splitting pass from the back from Alexander to James C who just missed with his finish. James T was called on to tackle back and the Frankie denied what would have been almost a certain Ripley goal with some more strong tackling in his own penalty area. The boys then showed smart passing and composure with Alexander, James C and James T, who slid the ball through to Charlie who slammed home his first of the day and our third. 3-0. Joseph came back onto the field for the last 3 minutes and straight away danced through the middle, finding Charlie who neatly took the chance. 4-0 and now all the boys - including Tom in goal, were trying their luck from all over the pitch. Frankie, played in by James E had a great strike saved, Charlie tried for his hat-trick but the keeper gathered and James C also saw his strike smothered. As the final whistle approached we were left a bit short at the back and Tom M had to make a smart save to keep a clean sheet. Full time and 4-0.
Every single one of the boys played exceptionally well against what are always a strong Ripley side. We proved that the 5-0 loss at their plays was 'just one of those days' and todays performances where more like how we can play. For `Game 1 the coaches felt it would be unfair to single out any one individual player for MOTM as they all performed really well as a team. In Game 2 (and i guess also for his performance in Game 1) the MOTM went to Lew F who showed both skill and commitment in equal measure and when with the captains armband led and directed the team excellently.
Well done to all the team and the supporters -special thanks to Jo Callis for 'shirt duty' this week. More matches next Saturday away vs Tockwith - which will give us the chance again to try a few people in new positions..
