On Saturday the 17th September 2022 it saw our under 14s take on the first game of the season. This was a delayed first game of the season after the first game got postponed due to the sudden and sad passing of our beloved Queen Elizabeth II. We payed our respects alongside our opponents by sharing an impeccably 1 minutes silence.
The game kicked off and both teams competed well and set the tone for a physical and competitive game of football. Hook enjoyed the early moments of the game and showed their game plan and style of play. They looked to play the ball forward quickly and find the through balls over the top and between the channels. Our back line led superbly by Kaden coped well with the balls played forward. Kaden and Nyren forming a new partnership in the middle of defence stood firm and were supported brilliantly by Liam W and Lucas at left back and right respectively. Any balls that did get through hook were left frustrated by JJ whose brilliant start position meant he could clear anything up and if they did he was more then equal making several 1 on 1 saves.
After about 15 minutes of finding our feet we started to counter and play some lovely football with our midfield 3 linking up brilliantly, Cavan and Josh battling brilliantly and linking up with Mason in the Cam position. We started to put some lovely patterns of play together to help create some chances for ourselves forcing the Hook goalkeeper to make some very smart saves to keep the scores level. Even worked brilliantly up top in the centre dropping deep for the ball and receiving on the half turn before hitting some brilliant testing shots.
The game continued in this fashion possession and attacks going back and forth as the two teams contested to gain the breakthrough goal. 10 minutes before half time we lost the ball in the defensive third and didn’t deal with the oncoming player who played the ball into the striker who turned and shot from the edge of the area with the ball going past JJ and into the left hand side of the goal. We pushed for an equaliser but half time came.
With the boys visibly gutted to be 1-0 down at half time we spoke about all the good things that we did in the first half and we went into the second half with the intent to get an early goal in the second half.
The boys went out with that intent and got to it straight away. They kept possession and started to moved the ball quickly. Players linking up all over the pitch and combining to make some impressive combinations. Again the back four held up against any Hook attacks and got the ball forward quickly. With Harry and Liam now both on also Harry showing some great first time passes and sets and Liam showing his creativity going forward with the ball at his feet. It was Mason who was impressing in the CAM role battling hard and showing strength and persistence which got a reward in the form of a penalty. Mason took on the pressure of the penalty and shot low hard and to the right of the keeper but unfortunately it went just past the post and out for a goal kick. We continued to push for a goal and with a re jig in midfield with christian moving in to a more central role he was able to play passes into the front three. One went out wide to Evan who played a cross ball into cavan out wide, Cavan controlled and cut in and had a shot which struck the post and went into the goal. The goal was to be disallowed as Cavan was deemed to be offside when the ball was played.
The game went back and forth again both teams trying hard to get the next goal. Hook had a good spell of possession in which they broke through and with their striker 1 on 1 with JJ, he took it round JJ and unfortunately JJ gave away a penalty. The penalty was scored and the score 2-0. The game ended and the boys could feel hard done by we played some amazing football and on a different day we would have some points to show for our efforts. The boys however should be proud in how far they have come since we made the team. It was our first full game together and there is a real feel of excitement amongst the group that we can compete and do something special this season. We move on and look forward to whats going to be an exciting season ahead.
Our MoM for the game was Kaden for showing great communication and encouragement to our players and leading by example and battling hard in defence.
Coach Simon