1 Dec 2007 - Match Report KHFitC U9 Falcons (S&DYFL)

Rory keeping goal, Tom and Dan playing defence with Lewis M, Anthony and Joel in midfield supporting Harry up front.

The game started well with the team passing and pushing forward with confidence. With three minutes on the clock we were awarded a penalty for handball, Anthony struck it well but their keeper stood bravely and managed to prevent the ball crossing the line, with the benefit of an action reply I think we would have appreciated the power of Anthony's shot and the magnitude of the goal keeping heroics, I know what it's like to face these boys in the penalty shoot out during training and sometimes it hurts(though I do my best not to show it in front of the parents). Within minutes an Anthony goal kick bounced past the defence for Harry to chase, a beautiful second touch shot scorched the grass across the goal into the wind. Lewis E gave Dan a rest after seven minutes and made a strong solo run on goal with only his final touch showing too much ball to the keeper to prevent a shot. Harry gave way to Ben on thirteen minutes, Ben immediately made his presence felt by darting at the defence shooting at will, Anthony picked up a goal keeper clearance on the edge of the box and made no mistake to put us one up after fifteen minutes and into half time.

For the second half, Joel after playing a solid game of repossession, support and challenges gave way to Nathan in midfield. Anthony ( do we really only have one Anthony?..) put a lovely through ball in the box for Lewis E and Ben to chase although I did think they were going to fall over each other such was their  desire  to score, the keeper did enough to take the pace off Lewis's shot but Ben was terrier like in his determination to push in the rebound before the keeper could recover. It's not luck that will see Ben in the right place at the right time; his effort and commitment see him cover the ground at full speed without rest. After defending carefully and passing out of defence to allow the attacks to build Tom gave Matthew chance to practice the tackle and run game, he did well tackling strongly and winning the challenges, on one occasion the tackle turned into an entire passage of play not unlike pinball but Matthew emerged with the ball to rapturous applause from the home crowd. Nathan had a strong second half and made some strong well struck passes from midfield. Lewis M played his usually magnificent game of "no no it's my ball let me have it back" and never really allowed Rory to be put under too much pressure. Anthony ( we must have more than one) struck a free kick from a quarter of the way down the pitch to which neither the defence nor the keeper had a reply, three nil after thirty three minutes and we still looked to threaten.