Quick review of this mornings
performances, but firstly thanks to all that got to Goals this morning;
especially for the early game - to find that Goals delayed their opening when
we were there at 8:30 was a bit frustrating, but we all took it in the right
spirit.
Right, first game vs. Blacon.
I had hoped that this would be a proper match, but within minutes knew it
wouldn't be; Blacon were insistent to play off the sides and the ends so the ball was
always in play, i.e. no throw-ins and no corners - this therefore would not be
a proper football match and we just aren't prepared for this (we don't train
this way, and why should we?) and it showed - we paused and stood back at times
when the ball 'should of gone out' but Blacon (who train there and are used to
playing off the walls) continuously carried on - we had a few moments where we
broke through, but ultimately Blacon thrived and scored many goals. I am not
going to share the score-line as it doesn't prove anything and as mentioned,
this to me wasn't a match and not how a competitive match should be played, but
instead we should view this as a fitness and movement training session for the
boys involved. I very much look forward to playing Blacon on a grass surface
(or at the very least the 7-aside pitch at Goals which is more appropriate to
be honest - I dislike the smaller 5-aside pitches immensely).
That said, there were a few things to note from the boys involved in the early session - some good goals by Jack Binns, Jack Broadhurst (2) and Sion were good to see, especially by Jack Binns who had been trying really hard over the last 4 matches to put them away. The two Sams (Curtis and Cheetham) played incredibly well, but the thing I was most pleased about was the continued growth of Oliver Barnes - his best game yet by far; building on his solid display last week against Malpas - he at multiple times took on two and three of the Blacon team and won each time (his dribbling was fantastic - last nights training played dividends!), he had the confidence to take a shot too - and was whiskers away from scoring; I'm really proud of Oliver's performance today, I really cannot emphasise that enough.
Arrows vs. Upton
Our formal league match was against Upton, who beat us convincingly 11-3 last time. We kicked off and played in the positive vein I had asked the boys to do - we were too asleep from the start in our two matches last week and the boys took this on board and went for it - a relative early break from Upton against the run of play saw us concede an early goal though. The boys kept their heads up though and within the first quarter had scored three in reply (Tom 1, Xander 1 and Oli Wrigley 1). End of Q1 Arrows 3 - Upton 1.
The second quarter was just as
competitive and we continued to press the ball, pushing it forwards at every
opportunity. Casper scored a great goal and we were in control then, albeit for
a sloppy corner and some lashing at the ball for us to concede an own-goal. End
of Q2 - Arrows 4 - Upton 2.
The third quarter was a real
battle - end to end really, but we always looked solid at the back with Elliott
dominating like he did last week. Tom burst forward and scored his second of
the match, his forth in three matches now - well done Tom. End of Q3 -
Arrows 5 - Upton 2.
The final quarter again
started well, although I could see that some of the boys were starting to look
quite tired. They battled on though, but unfortunately succumbed to a
fortuitous goal by Upton. I did worry that the boys heads would start to drop,
but this didn't last for long as Xander confidently blasted his second, and the
Arrows sixth, quite soon after. End of the quarter and the match - Arrows 6
- Upton 3.
A great effort today by all
the boys, I'm happy with all of them, but I must admit to being especially
pleased with the boys faces after the Upton win; they were so happy - it was
hard fought and well deserved. Our first proper league win!!!!
Next league match *should*
be against Princes Villa away; we will see if that gets progressed. If not,
then Goals is already booked for two hours next week in what will be an
extended training and intra-Arrows match :-). (its booked from 10:30 though
(that's 10:30 Rob Barnes!) so not a nightmare start like we had today.....
Have a great weekend.
Carl
AFC Waverton U8 Arrows
07896 515717
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