Match Report: Ellesmere Port Rangers 4 - AFC Waverton Arrows 8

Hi All,

I’m going to try to keep this brief tonight as there will likely be a longer one coming out tomorrow regarding intended plans for the U9’s.

The best summary I can write at the moment, both watching the match and replaying it in my head today is that our work on the training pitch over the last three weeks really paid off. Our positioning was fantastic across the pitch – defensively we were strong; our midfield was competitive, fighting for every ball and making some great bursts forward taking on multiple boys with some great footwork and flair, and our attackers buried their chances whilst coming close with others and also linking up fantastically well, creating opportunities for their team-mates whenever possible. It truly was a great team effort today and the game flowed brilliantly. Last but not least our goalkeepers were great – it’s a difficult position to play in but the three boys that covered it today did the team proud.

Today we overcame some obstacles that in the past would have thrown us – it was an earlier start than normal (we were up for it from the start and carried the performance levels throughout the entire match – something we have never done). It was the first time that we played 2x 25 minute halves instead of 4x 12-15 minute quarters – we actually seemed to play better with this format as it again enabled us to keep the flow going. Having a match day squad of 9 has also worked better than when taking 10; it enables the boys playing to get more time on the pitch and less swapping and changing around.

It’s interesting that out of the three teams we have played so far that should be in our league (Blacon, Princes Villa and Ellesmere Port) we have won two and lost the one – that’s a great measure of where we are and how we have improved and I actually think that the last four weeks or so that we have played the teams that should be in a higher league (Groves, Malpas and Tarvin) has actually helped us to raise our game to an extent.

All the boys seemed really happy coming off the pitch today – a call out has to go to the four boys that scored today: Oli Wrigley with 2, OMG with 1 (a blistering run from defence to slot it home with confidence), Tom with a welcome 2 goals and Jack Broadhurst with 3, including a great headed effort!

Jack Binns, Henry and Sam Curtis in Midfield, along with Elliott and OMG in Defence (I went for two there today and it paid dividends!) and Oscar, Jack Binns and Sam Curtis in Goal all deserve a well done.

The next two games are interesting – first up is Upton Jaguars who were in our league last year and always give us a good game, and following that are the new Upton Wildcats who were the Upton Dev squad last year and have been finding it difficult so far (just like we did last year) – both matches will throw up different challenges I’m sure.

As mentioned, this was a brief one so I’m going to leave it there – please look out for the U9 mail that should be out tomorrow.

Thanks all.

Carl

AFC Waverton U9 Arrows
07896 515717