20/02: Match Report: Waverton Arrows 1 - Blacon Youth Spiders 9

Hi All,

Overall a quite disappointing morning - this was the first time in about two and a half months that we played on grass and it showed - in retrospect we could of done with a training session on grass prior to a game, but honestly the pitches were just not up to it.

As a team we seem to hate early morning kick off's, then when you add in the cold and at times rain today, you could really see how unhappy some of the boys were; we really need to find a way to get over this as although I can challenge the kick off time (in this instance it was originally set at 9:15 and I pushed back as much as I could), I can't control the weather!

Anyway to the match; we actually started positively - we passed the ball really well and kept our positions tight - I had complaints from the Blacon coach that the pitch was too small for 7v7 but I again reassured him that it was at the right dimensions (I'd already said this to him prior to the game). We broke at one point and Oliver Wrigley flew down his right channel and shot at goal which went in - well done Oli, I know you love that type of goal, as do I!

We were in control if I'm honest in that first quarter, but we made a minor mistake at one point and Blacon jumped on it and as a result equalised, ending the quarter: Arrows: 1 - Blacon 1.

Now this is where it all went collectively south; we stopped running as a whole when we lost the ball; our positioning disappeared and we seemed to not want to be there - something that for me was a real flash back to October/November on one or two occasions; something I thought we had well and truly left behind. Clearly this is something that I'll work on with the boys in training at the next session. In Q2 we kept losing the ball cheaply, enabling Blacon to pounce and score numerous goals during this period: End Q2: Arrows: 1 - Blacon 5 (by the way, at this point the complaints about the size of the pitch mysteriously went away...).

Q3 was pretty much a mirror image of the previous one; we had our chances, but we continuously seemed to be slow in responding to losing the ball; not what I've come to expect in the last few months from the Arrows. Because of how we were playing this morning we again succumbed to four more goals to end the quarter: Arrows 1 - Blacon 9.

Prior to the final quarter I was very clear with the boys that its a collective responsibility in defending and protecting our goalkeeper - we left him at times very exposed and we need to improve this aspect of our game in the immediate few weeks. I sent them very much with the objective to win the final quarter, using our skills and knowledge to play well; the boys really didn't let me or us as whole down - it became as competitive as it was in the first quarter and we really battled. The final quarter ended nil-nil, so overall the game remained as an end result of: Arrows 1 - Blacon 9.

A few points from me - looking back on the match as I have done today (sad I know, but would you expect otherwise?!?) we were exceptional in training on Friday - I thought that was the best session that I've seen to date; I am struggling to see why we couldn't transfer that to the match this morning as we have done on previous weeks. I can only mainly put it down to time of the KO and temperature - the team that was selected today was a competitive one and was able to make more of an impact than what actually happened - I'll again look at this in the coming weeks.

Some final words - it was great to see Sam Cheetham as captain today; thank you Sam, it was an overall solid performance from you today. It was difficult yet again in terms of the Man of the Match award this morning, there were three really strong candidates, but ultimately I awarded it to Henry as he has completely taken onboard the feedback given to him over the last few weeks and especially last night and this morning; using his height, strength and determination to drive the ball forward; Henry did the team proud today so will be my captain next week.

I'm going to leave it there, but I'll likely drop a note out later in the week regarding extra training sessions.

Thanks all.

Carl

AFC Waverton U8 Arrows
07896 515717

Match Report: Waverton Arrows 3 - Malpas 2

Yet another great game, reinforcing our competitiveness over the last few weeks. We are really coming together now, passing the ball accurately, defending superbly and overall the teamwork is exceptional, considering we are only still five months old as a team.

Playing against a good and well drilled Malpas side who had beaten us 5-2 just four weeks ago, we took to the pitch, confident with a recent victory against Upton and a very strong performance against Newton we went again.

We started really positively; controlling the ball and playing really nice football if I'm honest. Oliver Wrigley, always looking to get into space in order to make chances for himself found himself running onto a great ball and scored a trademark goal. This was followed very quickly with Sam Cheetham bursting down the left wing and producing a great strike, across the Malpas goalkeepers' body to put it into the net.

For the majority of the first quarter (and for the first time we were playing 4 x 15 min quarters) we controlled the game fantastically, but in the last five minutes we switched off a bit and succumbed to two quick goals by Malpas bringing them level and back firmly in the game. End of Q1: Arrows 2 - Malpas 2.

Q2, like the previous period we played really well, moving the ball into space and making some great attacking runs; we were really unlucky to not score 2-3 goals during this period whilst Tom, taking goalie duties from Jack Broadhurst was relatively, but not completely untroubled, having that great concentration that's need in the position to be ready when needed. End of Q2: Arrows 2 - Malpas 2.

Q3 was pretty much an exact mirror of Q2; these games are starting to resemble proper football matches now! It again was a real battle; end to end stuff, but competitive throughout. There was a period of controversy though and something that made the parents wonder what was happening... At one point we had a goal kick which Malpas failed to move back to the half way line for (they were very much in and around the goal area), this was the compounded quickly by them making an extremely strong challenge on Jack Broadhurst (the honest sheer terror on his face at the time made me think he'd broken something) and both myself and the Malpas coach ran on to see him; he was eventually fine but amidst all this the Malpas players carried on and scored (we had clearly stopped playing). Initially the goal was given but then to compensate (to enable the Malpas boys/parents to not complain we were given a compensatory goal). I have since scrubbed both of these goals as neither counted and I want to stay true to the actual in-flight game. End of Q3: Arrows 2 - Malpas 2.

During Q3 and Q4 I had boys rolling in and off the substitution line; it played dividends; in Q4 we continued to fight and sustained a massive amount of pressure on our goal over a period of minutes (which at the time honestly felt like half an hour!) but we held our nerve and broke positively on a number of occasions; one of which was Sam Cheetham again belting down the left wing and doing exactly the same as what he did in the first quarter; burying the ball in the net. The final five minutes were very tense - we controlled the play though and at the final whistle I can wholeheartedly say we were deserving winners - well done boys! End of Q4: Arrows 3 - Malpas 2.

Every single player was fantastic today; our Goalies (Jack, Tom & Oscar had good control and each pulled off some great saves), our Defenders (Harry, Max and making his impressive debut today, Oliver Golding, were honestly like a wall - very commanding in ensuring that the ball was theirs), our Wing Backs and Midfielders (Oli Wrigley, Casper, Sam, Jack and Oscar when the latter two were out of goal) really controlled their positions and made some strong challenges and fantastic sprints with the ball. Purely down to his amazing runs on the left and his two valuable goals, the Man of the Match award was given to Sam Cheetham who will now be my captain at our next match which should be against Blacon on the 20th Feb (remember it is Arrows v Arrows this coming weekend).

Final note, Harry was outstanding as my Captain today - he showed great composure and really helped Oliver Golding settle into the team. Thanks Harry; you've raised the bar on what it means to be a Captain!

I'll be dropping two further emails out later; one regarding the Arrows generally (plans for the next couple of months) and one regarding kit orders, notably socks!

Have a great weekend all.

Carl
AFC Waverton U8 Arrows
07896 515717

Match report - Newton Athletic 7 - AFC Waverton Arrows 5

What a game!

In equal measures it was fantastic, encouraging and frustrating, but overall I think no-one would of walked away from this match without a smile on their face, and knowing that every boy (and girl) involved had a real game.

We started off the match knowing that one of the selected squad, Elliott, was ill and couldn't attend and we all hope he will get over this nasty bug that's going around quickly. I was determined to go with our 7v7 plans so it meant that all boys remaining would play the entire match which was a gamble, but I honestly thought was one worth taking as overall it was a really strong match squad.

Q1 - We started positively; pushing the ball out to our wingers and attacking forward; there was some great movement from both teams and it was great to watch; midway through the quarter we gave a corner away and as a result, the cross made good contact with a Newton player and we went down by one. We kicked off again in positive fashion and really pressed the ball; Jack Binns, playing on the left wing was doing really well, and on one such sprint he cut in to the field, unleashed a shot and we equalised. From kick off, again it was a real contest and we were unfortunate to concede a second just prior to the whistle. End Q1 - Newton 2 - Waverton Arrows 1.

Q2 - Moving some of the boys into different positions played dividends in this quarter; we continued to be solid at the back, whilst both Oli Wrigley and Jack Binns were storming down the wings (building on the intense training we did on Friday), Harry and Sion were keeping a solid lock on defence. Whenever we had the ball we went positive, trying to push it forwards and this great, enthusiastic type of play played dividends as Jack Binns scored his second and Oli Wrigley scored his first; Newton had no reply at all. End Q2 - Newton 2 - Waverton Arrows 3.

Q3 - Keeping with the same positioning as Q2 we continued to battle; this was a really good game to watch and during a real tussle in midfield, the ball broke for Newton and they took their chance and buried it to bring them level.  We kicked off and like the first two quarters went positive; pushing the ball forwards to team mates, really great football to watch and it culminated with Jack Binns scoring his hat trick, a great goal and I'm so pleased for Jack, he has tried so hard lately to score and today its really paid off. End Q3 - Newton 3 - Waverton Arrows 4.

Q4 - I pushed the message to the boys beforehand that we needed to play the ball into Newton's half so to keep the pressure on them and make them defend; unfortunately this quarter was the opposite; we started to defend deep in our own half, very close to our goal line and this resulted in four goals being scored by Newton (three of which were moments and strikes of brilliance by the way) and another being a scramble across the line. Sion spun forwards towards the very end, and with sheer determination hit another goal for the Arrows. End of Q4 and the match - Newton 7 - Waverton Arrows 5.

Please understand this - we played fantastically well today; the training on Friday night shone through in parts and I'll continue to push the boys technically to make us even more competitive. There were times on Friday night that I could see the boys thinking ' what is this about?', but then today they were applying that learning naturally to the game, which was great to see.

Before the match I made Jack Binns captain, which he took on wholeheartedly and his performance showed as a result; a hat trick followed and he was really unlucky to not get the man of the match reward.

Harry Reid was awarded the man of the match reward purely down to him being an absolute rock in defence; he was assured and confident and played the position really well - I'm really proud of you today Harry, well done. Harry will be my captain in our next match.

Three final quick messages - Tom Taylor was amazing in goal today; Jack Broadhurst settled the nerves in the first quarter, but the rest was dominated by Tom - amazing saves by hands, feet and bum on one occasion!; well done Tom you were great today. We have a new boy that is going to solely train with us on Friday's - Larry was really made welcome by the boys with them all chanting his name during the session; I'm so proud of all the boys in the Arrows squad - you really make me proud. The final message - I turned up to the match today to find Oliver Golding there looking to support his new team mates - I thought this was a magnificent show of support from our newest squad member and I'm really looking forward to seeing him in action.

Have a great weekend

Carl
AFC Waverton U8 Arrows
07896 515717