Scotton tick off Tockwith as the boys winning run continues.
A frosty, bright Saturday saw Scotton's 9s play their rearranged fixtures at Tockwith. As with out matches earlier in the season, we knew Tockwiths boys would be all y3s/u8s so the coaches planned to mix a few things around to make sure the boys challenged themselves.
Game1 started with James T in goal, Frankie and James E at the back, Lew F, Jack and Joel across the middle and Joseph as lone striker to hold the ball up for the midfielders coming through.
The game started in a flurry of goals, with Jack hitting the back of the net then Lew F (at the second attempt) quickly again followed by a first time strike from Jack. 0-3 and the boys weren't finished. A great corner gave Joel a tap in, and then a strong run and cross from Joseph gave Jack a prod home at the back post for his rapid hat trick. The move of the game saw Joel collect and go on a run, skipping all the way through the defence and finishing this move himself with a great strike. 0-6. Jack then found himself in the right place to tap on his fourth, quickly followed by another great strike from Joseph. Phew!!! Frankie and James E were keeping things quite for James T in goal while feeding the attackers, and as half time approached Lew F hit a volley and a tap-in to finish off his hat-trick and see the Scorchers hit double figures before half time. 0-10.
We wanted to ensure that all sides got some value from the game and so we invited Tockwith to add another to their number so we were playing against 8. And as the second half kicked off it was clear what a difference this extra man made to the game. A much more evenly matched second half, and a Tockwith goalkeeper who kept pulling off some exceptional saves kept the scores as they were. The boys kept pressing and trying to find space, and a great run from Joel didn't have the end product it deserved. Frakie then tried a bit of skill with a flick over the keeper which the keeper again saved well. The game was now end to end with Tockwiths extra man showing with some pressure on the defence and the keeper but they held firm. Final whistle and the boys could't add to the scoreline but they definitely knew they had been in a game. Tockwith 0-10 Scotton.
Game 2, and Tockwith would start with an extra man right from kick off. The team was Joel in goal, James H and James T at the back, Tom, Lew D and James c across the middle and Charlie as lone striker. And if Scotton thought that they would be able to rack up the goals quickly again then these thoughts quickly were dropped as almost from kick off Tockwith broke forward and slotted home a great strike. 1-0 and time to see if we could respond? The boys bounced back quickly with Charlie and Lew D linking up well for Lew to level the game. And it wasn't long before the boys got their noses in from - a long throw from James H fell to James C who, with a deft flick nudged the ball in. 1-2. The boys now took some control. Lew D made the Tockwith keeper (having another great game) make a great save and then strike the post. James C then took a swift throw to Charlie's feet who buried his first of the day; 1-3 and half time.
The second half and Tockwith started like they did in the first, with a great breakaway through the middle and strong finish - 2-3 and would Tockwith complete the comeback? Their goalkeeper was performing miracles still in goal with a double save from Lew D before a scramble in the goalmouth saw pressure from James C and Charlie pay off with Charlie poking the ball in. 2-4. Next James C found himself free in the box and tried a back heel into the goal - smothered by their keeper. Another corner from Charlie saw Lew D get on the end to make the score 2-5 and the pressure was kept on from James C and Charlie again with hem both following in to see Charlie press the ball home with the keeper only having one hand on it. 2-6. As the match was drawing to an end there was just enough time for James H to trouble the scorers with a firm strike in from a corner. 2-7 and the final whistle; a much harder and more tricky game than the scoreline would suggest.
A morning of 4 halfs with the first in the first game showing that we have goals from all parts of the team an the other three a great challenge when playing 'a man down' which the boys did really well to succeed at.
MOTM in Game 1 for an exquisite bit of skill and confidence (plus all round commitment) which shows that he is really improving his game went to Joel.
MOTM for game 2, for his goals as well as for keeping the team going and together by being vocal and communicating went to Lew D.
Well done to all the boys again and onto next weeks fixtures at home v Burton Leonard which will be a much sterner test.
