With our girls fixtureless, it was left to our boys to serve up the footballing entertainment this weekend. They didn't disappoint!
U12 Boys were in determined mood as they got back to League action, facing London Colney Panthers in an important fixture for the squad. Courage was the watch word of the day, both in the boys' attempts to attack balls in both boxes and in their efforts to control the ball and play, not always an easy assignment. On both counts they excelled, playing some of their best stuff this season.
Captain McGuiness led the team soundly against his old side and was joined in this by Manning, adding centre midfield to the growing list of positions he has played superbly this season. Crucefix enjoyed a special game both up front and in midfield and scored the Wood's first with a confident left foot drive. He gobbled up another before half time from a rebound after George had tested the away keeper well, with George himself grabbing our third with a shot straight from an artillery captain's trajectory chart.
Crucefix grabbed his second hatrick of the season when showing determination to get ahead of everyone else to fire into the top bag, before Song showed pace and composure to skip round the keeper and grab a high quality goal, his first for the club.
After six weeks out with a fractured radius, Makamian returned to the pitch amidst a rousing reception from the home support, who employed a selection of rudimentary pipes, drums and vuvuzelas to create an almost ethereal atmosphere. As luck would have it, a few moments later, Pop, enjoying a very accomplished game, split the away defence for Makamian to scamper between the last defender and keeper before burying the ball into the net.
All in all, a very welcome performance from the squad, and with many contenders, MoM went to Malcolm, after he focused really well, ran hard, ran direct and played easily his most influential game of the season.
U11 Boys faced a tough trip away to St. Albans City East but, remained unphased and put in a phenomenal performance to leave our travelling fanbase delighted!
Hayden grabbed our first goal after reacting well from a corner to swivel and fire high into the net while at the other end, he joined Stanley & Josh as they constructed a human wall to repel the opposition attacks. A late penalty saw us grab another as Julian slotted home and capped a wonderful day for the squad and for him personally too, as he was rightly named MoM for another top notch, non-stop performance.
U10 Boys rounded off the action against a talented Maccabi Gold side at Pursley but, showed great resolve throughout their match with many of the squad putting in excellent displays.
In defence and midfield, MoM Bailey and Aiden were vocal, tenacious and showed a wonderful range of passing while Leo and Charlie excelled both in goal and outfield.
Debutant Yue crashed a wicked shot of the crossbar then played a sliderule pass to Shreyank. He completed a wonderful dribble before passing the ball beautifully into the bottom left hand corner of the goal. Christian and Klaudjo worked their socks off and showed a willingness & desire to keep at it, never giving up.
Great to see and the club are very proud of all our fantastic young players.