U14 Boys played AC Finchley East away in the League, their opponents winning all their previous games this term and providing a stiff test for the boys. With two absences and Crucefix carrying an injury, the odds lengthened further.
However, the boys worked really hard, led in this all game by our defensive unit of Marshall, Manning, Hones, Hobbs and Makamian - who were very disciplined and tenacious throughout the match, restricting the opposition to long shots in the main. After conceding a crazy 17 goals in their first 5 matches, it is now 1 in 2, which is far more like it. However, one long range effort just wasn't closed down quickly enough late in the first half and was of high quality, finding the net to give Finchley the lead. Marshall produced a world class save from another deflected effort shortly after to keep the score at 1-0 heading into the interval.
As well as labouring a little physically, our midfield boys were up against a talented player and could not quite get to grips with him, however, upfront, Ifeacho showed grit, determination & skill to create several excellent efforts that sailed narrowly wide; his return to form being very welcome for the side. He was joined in this by the outstanding Fan, making a superb debut and showing tremendous levels of fitness and commitment, as well as an eye for a pass as he fought valiantly throughout; what an addition this guy is for the team.
On any other day, he would've made MoM, but, that was secured by Song, a really low maintenance boy, not enjoying as many minutes of late as he might otherwise have wanted. His reaction to this has been first class, working hard to become a more physical player and his tracking back from left midfield against far bigger opponents was outstanding.
The second half was drawn and the match finished 1-0, but, so many positives can be taken from the game and the boys re-group for training Thursday ready to pile it on again next weekend!
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Meanwhile our U12 Boys continue their renaissance with another competitive display, narrowly losing a corking 1-3 match to Enfield Rangers.
Proving the old adage that you can't keep a good guy down and after being cruelly denied a richly deserved goal last week, the exciting Skinner dispatched with style after a superb assist from midfield general Adom.
At the other end, Florin & Lehouimel resembled a pair of Condors as they flew through the air to make countless great saves, while Kingham-Patrick, Hartslief, Covasala & Elams all enjoyed fine matches.
MoM went to Joyce, who did his best to impersonate the Duracell bunny, running the soles off his boots and playing a wonderful game in defence. Well done that young man and well done to the whole squad & staff who are finding form fast and enjoying the game again.
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Our U12 girls were away today in a hastily rearranged league game with our friends at Chorleywood, after we received a walkover in the prestigious London County Cup.
Wood started with real fire in their bellies with a driven & dominant display from the midfield pairing of Amie & Lucy, who managed to pin Chorleywood back for long periods with the help of our back 3: Captain Annie, Abi & Ella W. This allowed our dazzling wingers - Lois & Elsinho - to dominate the Chorleywood defence ably assisted by Karadonna who toiled relentlessly at the rock face today.
For all Wood's pressure and dominance the breakthrough wasn’t forthcoming, then Elsinho capitalised on some slack Chorleywood defending. She won the ball high up the pitch and left her marker spinning before despatching a ferocious drive into the net!
Theaya, Imani, Hazel & Romey soon entered the fray to strengthen the Wood's attack and they kept Chorleywood back but also couldn't add to the scoreline straigh away. For the second half Wood reverted to the original starting line up and Elsinho & Lois were soon causing no end of problems again.
Amie in a magnificent POM performance was prompting attack after attack with slide rule passes in between and behind the home defence, and her partnership with Lucy and Theaya was causing constant problems for the opposition. Lucy’s tireless running and Theaya’s metronome passing was a puzzle the home team struggled to solve.
Elsinho got her 2nd of the game with help from Annie and Amie setting the move in motion and Kara doggedly fighting in the box; Elsie pounced on a loose ball and the keeper's dive was in vain as the net bulged again: 0-2 the Wood. The girls could relax a little now as it had began to feel like the 2nd wouldn’t come!
Hazel and Romey where making numerous runs and tackling like demons to win the ball high. Imani burst through the middle from an overhead pass from Elsinho to sting the keeper's palms. The team was pushing for the third now and this gave Chorleywood a couple of half chances on the breakaway that Emily and her defence dealt with smoothly. Amie was working all the angles to try and get a shot off and she did so with 10 to go; she won the ball near the corner flag and shrugged off her opponent before unleashing a low drive across the box and into the corner of the goal for 0-3 Wood.
Manager Dave and coach Rich where beaming from ear to ear today as they settled down to the fulsome hospitality at Sky Studios as the post match assessment was conducted. Dave said “We have been working really hard on our ball retention in training and playing in spaces created by moving the opposition and today the girls did this to perfection for the first time. It was easily our best 1st half performance ever and the score didn’t do our dominance justice. It is really pleasing as a coach to see stuff you’ve worked on come to fruition."
Well done everyone and we also look forward to seeing who the girls will get in the next round of the London County Cup? The girls have never played County Cup football before and with Herts FA not staging a competition for their age group, it's a huge boost for both the squad and our club to be competing in such a huge and prestigious competition. With form like this, their adventures on this front could be very interesting indeed?