Saturday, 14 January 2017

Match Report: Groves FC 4 - AFC Waverton Arrows 5

The match nearly didn’t happen this morning to be honest, but I’m obviously glad we agreed to continue as it showed the boys building on their experience and great game play from last week to bring it forward to this match. On the whole we all collectively passed the ball well, made good runs and really applied the ‘shoot from distance with someone following up for the follow on’ that we trained on last night. Jack Binns (getting into some great space today) scored 2 and OMG in a new role for him today broke forward and scored another with only 1 goal from Groves hitting us in reply before half time.

In addition to the scorers in the first half, Tom was solid for us in goal, as were Harry and Max in Defence and Sam and Oliver down the wings.

The boys were quite excitable during the half time break and we told them that concentration was key now in order to progress in the same vein during the second half. Unfortunately this wasn’t taken on-board for the first 10 minutes as we invited so much pressure onto ourselves it was unreal. This period of play ultimately resulted in us conceding an own goal, but just like last week, there was nothing we could of done about it other than to not invite that kind of pressure onto ourselves as a team.

We started to compose ourselves a bit more after that period of play but it did start to look like last time we played Groves and it was becoming a real battle. Oliver Wrigley scored one to give us our 2-goal cushion again but Groves hit back quickly, not once but twice (to now equalise) with just minutes to spare.

In the past we would of gone on to lose this match – but the boys are not only getting stronger physically, but also mentally – from kick off, we passed the ball extremely well again and a great manoeuvre saw Sam score a birthday weekend goal to give us the match 5-4!!!

Apart from the lapse in concentration early in the second half, the team did well – Oscar, now in goal, is getting into the positions to block and is starting to get some confidence which we will certainly work on more in the next few weeks; Harry, OMG and Max again were solid in defence and midfield when called upon. Sam, Tom, Oliver and Jack Binns again put immense pressure on the opposition (especially in the last 10 minutes) to see us through to the end.

There are clearly areas we need to work on, there always will be, but I’m really pleased with what we have done over the last two weeks – pure progression in every sense.

*****Dynamos Update******
Just to make you aware and to keep you updated with our sister team; the Dynamos played Borras Park Albion this afternoon (its where I went to after the Arrows game – a Wrexham-based league team) – we played really well, running out eventual 3-2 winners – all 10 boys are to be commended for the effort and their determination in the play today – it’s extremely positive for the games ahead!

As a side note - I love it that I’ve had texts and mails from parents of both teams to see how the other has done. Ultimately we progressing as two equal ability teams under me and WE have had a great collective day today – a great effort, from boys to parents and also to my parent helpers today – here’s to next week!

Happy Saturday/Sunday!!!

Thanks,
Carl

AFC Waverton u9 Arrows & u9 Dynamos
07896 515717

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