First Game
Once Julia had collected the subs and the scratch card dosh, priorities! The teams were lined up ready to face each other for their first friendly clash.
8s kicked off, but within minutes, Sam, (7s captain this week) put Oscar through for the first shot of the game and then Matthew tried to find Jarratt for another attempt on goal, good start, still 0-0.
Against the run of play the 8s scored (Mitchell 7) after only 4 minutes and if it wasn't for Lily's brave defending in the 6th minute the 7s could have been 2 down.
For the next 5 minutes or so the 7s continued to attack with attempts from Oscar, Matthew and Jarratt but to no avail. It was clear at the half-way stage that the 8s were starting to get the upper-hand coming forward (what a difference a year makes). They were denied by a brilliant interception by Jack to stop their attack, with Matthew only a few seconds later, flattening an opposing player, fair tackle though!
On the 13th minute, the 8s went 2 up their keeper sent the ball straight into the 18 yard box for George (10) to bag the second.
The last few minutes before the break were a bit scrappy with Max saving from a corner, which was followed by a counter-attack and a shot from Matthew that just missed the left post.
After the break the 8s brought on Ellie, Tom, Keelan & Oliver but within minutes the 7s had 2 corners that were well executed by Sam but unfortunately the young-un's couldn't find the net.
On the 28th minute the 8s went 3 up with a spectacular goal from Keelan off the post to the top right. Max continued to deny the 8s more goals with 2 saves, Matthew .W came on for Jarrett and Max denied the 8s another goal, this time from Ellie (his sister, family rivalry or what!).
On the 38th minute Oscar had the best chance so far to get one back but was denied twice by some excellent goal-keeping in the close quarters.
Despite brave efforts from the 7s they went another one down with an own goal and just before the end Tom ran the full length of the pitch to tuck away the 5th.
Once again, the score-line didn't reflect the game; both teams thoroughly enjoyed themselves and played it in the right spirit. Well done all, a joy to watch and a bonus for Emma - she managed to win her own wine back from the scratch card! 7s, you can get your own back next time!
Second Game
For the 7s the starting line up was Lee, Henry, Max, Matthew, Sean, Zac & Matthew.W. The game got under way and within minutes Oliver missed top left for the 8s (it was much better when you played for us last week Oliver!).
The 7s started to settle down with some excellent work from Sean to spread the ball nicely to the right midfield, but straight away the 8s were on the attack, Matthew in goal for this one, saving well on 4 minutes (good keeping).
The 8s continued to put the pressure on and on 5 minutes Ellie scored against her brother's team, 1-0 to the 8s. Just to rub it in, 2 minutes later Ellie was on target again for her second off the post, 2-0. Well done Ellie, you're on your hat-trick!
The 7s weren't giving up there, on the 9th minute Lee made a great run to pass to Sean for a crack at goal, unlucky. The pressure continued for a few minutes from the 7s, again with Lee finding some space in the middle only this time to be without the support that he needed.
With Henry off for Hannah in the 15th minute, the 8s were on the attack with a run past 4 players from Tom followed by a shot that narrowly missed and a minute later a great header from Oliver, still 2-0 to the 8s.
After the break Matthew once again came to the rescue with a triple save and on the 21st minute Ellie came close to getting her hat-trick only to be stopped again by Matthew.
On the 22nd minute Max was hurt in a tackle and had to go off injured for Jack and Oscar came back on for Lily and within 30 seconds had a shot that ended up in the stands! You were in the right place though Oscar.
The game continued with excellent enthusiasm to the extent that both Lee and Oliver were literally wrestling to get to the ball first, ‘drop ball boys', said the ref! Don't mess with Scott, he's already told the spectators off for getting too close to the line, cheer up ref! J. Mitchel got a third to put the game beyond reach.
Keelan came back on for the 8s and straight away he was brought down just outside the box for a free-kick, that he drove home, top corner what a strike! another great player, 4-0 to the 8s,
Much the same as last week, there was still time for the 7s to show what they're made of with a brilliant run from Sam just before the end to score a well deserved goal, well done. It finished 4-1 to the 8s, a pleasure to watch, well done all.
|