23/04: Match Report: Newton 4 - Arrows 1

A bright sunny morning met us as we lined up against Newton who are undoubtedly our toughest opposition in the league. We started Q1 brightly and passed the ball well - Newton were on the whole pinned back in their half such was the pressure we were putting on them. We had a few chances, all were just wide of the bar with the exception of one - Oli Wrigley returning to the match day squad this week, picked up the ball on the corner of the box and belted it into the net. End Q1: Newton 0 - Arrows 1.

Q2 began and the mood of the match changed somewhat; the atmosphere had gone and the boys started to play within themselves a bit. Newton were playing differently now, passing the ball and really looking for gaps to utilise. We started to get out of positions and shape in places, forcing some of the boys to try and cover which in turn created openings elsewhere which Newton were clearly looking for - and boy did they pounce on us - three quick goals followed and we found ourselves shell-shocked going into the team talk. End of Q2: Newton 3 - Arrows 1.

Q3 was similar to Q2, but the boys were starting to close down more and battle for the ball. The atmosphere again was low but started to build as the competitiveness increased. One great manoeuvre by Newton split our defence and their striker ran onto it to slot it into our net to make it end Q3: Newton 4 - Arrows 1.

Prior to the Q4 kick off I sat the boys down and told them to refocus and think back to Blacon and Upton where we were exceptional. I expected them to be as competitive as we were in these matches and reproduce what we had in the first quarter - nothing else would be acceptable. We kicked off and the boys immediately were applying pressure to Newton. We chased the ball down every time - Newton had chances but we had more - shots peppered their goal by Jack Binns, Oli Wrigley and Jack Broadhurst; all just narrowly wide or over. Although no further goals were scored by either side (with the exception of one which, from a Jack Binns corner actually hit the post and into the hands of their goalkeeper who then stepped back over the line - technically a goal, but the ref didn't give it...), we absolutely owned Newton in that final period, restating some pride that had been lost in the mid section of the match. End of Q4 and the game: Newton 4 - Arrows 1.

It was a difficult one today - Newton are extremely well drilled and half of the squad had already played in a match prior to ours, but please remember this - most of those boys also play in Academies and have an extraordinary amount of time on the training pitch.

We need to dust ourselves off quickly and be ready for our next match against our newest opposition - Ellesmere Port Rangers who join us from the Rockets (mid-tier) league. This match is already confirmed and I'll drop a note regarding availability shortly.

Final note - Tom did a solid job today as my captain - clean sheets in the two quarters he was in goal and also decent when outfield - thank you Tom. Man of the Match today was someone who was relentless and tried his best throughout, with the longest and most accurate throw-ins I've seen (and he's been doing it consistently for weeks now) - Jack Binns was awarded the trophy today and will be my captain next week if available. I'll see those that can make it on Wednesday (at Waverton) and hopefully everyone on Friday.

Yours,

Carl

AFC Waverton U8 Arrows
07896 515717