U12 Boys were at their very best today as they secured promotion from the WFL Yellow division in their first competitive season, with a sparkling performance away to Whetstone Wanderers Leopards.
After a slightly hesitant start from the team, Makamian settled the nerves with an imperious header from a corner delivered expertly by McGuinness, both players enjoying outstanding matches in the heart of the midfield.
In defence, Captain Reed, Pop, Montgomery, Hobbs & Ifeacho put in gutsy shifts full of character, with stopper Marshall dealing superbly with anything that slipped through them, making several saves throughout the match that were right out of the top drawer and vital in keeping the subsequent clean sheet.
George, Song and Crucefix were a constant handful up front with the latter two players producing excellent finishes for a goal apiece, while the outstanding Hones ran riot down the right wing, searing the net with his first goal of the season, then shredding it with his second! The final result was 0-5 and MoM was secured by Manning who played a very high calibre match on left wing, full of superb technique and hard running both defensively and offensively.
Manager Makamian, coincidentally celebrating his 32nd birthday, could not have been happier with his young charges. As he enjoyed some celebratory bumps, stalwart coaches Montgomery and Manning conducted a joint press conference with ITN News and said, "This time last year, the boys were an improving side trying to turn good performances into match winning efforts. A year later and after so much of the best advice and training from our good friend Frank, they have become a forged unit, playing for each other and never giving up. Our motto is that the 'minimum requirement is maximum effort' and that has taken us to a wonderful high of promotion in our first competitive season. We must also mention our dynamic winger Malcolm who suffered serious injury a few weeks back, but, has played a massive part in our season and though he is out of sight recovering just now, he is certainly not out of mind."
These guys talk a lot of sense and the Club is extremely proud of the staff and players bringing home our first competitive promotion for many years. The boys have one game left to play and should they secure the three points, may yet secure the Championship too? Fingers crossed but, either way, very well done to you all.
Coming to the closing matches of their season before themselves moving to competitive football from September, our tremendous U11 Boys put down another marker with an excellent performance against Croxley Green White.
The boys have been in rascal form this term, scoring goals freely and keeping things tight as two coats of paint at the back. They served up more of the same today while also showing grit and determination to come back from adversity. The team scored five fine goals on the day, one each from the deadly boots of both Julian and Leon, crack Wood sharp-shooters, and three more from Joel 'The Goal' as he secured MoM and recorded a blistering 30 goals for the season!
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Our U10 Girls were in fine form today at home against an excellent and physically advanced Hemel Reds. Missing key defensive players, the girls showed a tremendous attitude from the off, playing some really good football throughout.
In goal, Emily showed huge improvement stopping many certain goals and coming off her line noticeably quickly to fearlessly smother opposition attacks. Another founding sister - Kara - also showed how well her game has developed with an excellent technical display.
Theaya continues to impress and adapt and was a defensive stalwart during the game, as was PoM Florence, showing great determination to win the ball repeatedly, as did Lottie, who played simply and effectively all game despite taking a quick route down the house stairs earlier in the week!
The naturally gifted Kiella and Captain Lois mesmerized the watching hordes with spell binding dribbles, Lois firing in a vintage goal courtesy of her hammer like left foot. In a remarkable aside, both players' mothers provided a fascinating account of their own considerable sporting highlights to your blog author on the sidelines. Could the Wood have the basis for a thriving Ladies team going forward?!
Meanwhile, back in the present day, Lucy was enjoying another superb match in what has become a remarkable debut season for her, while Hazel again showed what a super player she is with a typically energetic and positive display.
All in all, this was a reference match for juniors' football, with excellent coaching, wonderfully supportive parents, and fantastic technique, attitude and spirit from the players. In our book, you just can't ask for any more!
U18 Girls also produced an excellent performance away to Garston Jags, playing with lots of energy and determination while keeping their focus well despite the flow of the game being somewhat affected by a succession of free kicks.
Young, Joseph and Swain attacked swiftly in sync with each other and created chances throughout the game but were blocked by a strong defence and good goalkeeping from the opposition. Embleton displayed her customary high energy in midfield, intercepting attacks from the opposition and creating opportunities for our strikers.
The defence coped well with everything that was thrown at them with Makamian showing versatility to play in an unfamiliar role and Hyman providing exceptional goal keeping between the sticks.
Sadly, after a very harsh first yellow card, Swain saw red for a second yellow in the second half, and, having gone down to ten players, the girls conceded despite battling gamely, losing the match 0-1. This was not the result their huge efforts deserved but, the team can be very proud of their performances on the day. PoM was secured by Kennedy-Millar for her determined and brave defending in a physical game.