What the papers said...

Match Report – Game 10 – Saturday 11th December

vs. Liverpool North 7-0

Team: Ciarán; Josh (capt.), Matty; Danny, Caleb, Adam; Jacob.

Ian took his illness and injury ravaged side into this game against lowly opposition. Danny made his first start and they were unable to name any substitutes but they emerged victorious as they ran riot against a ragged Liverpool North.

They took the lead in the second minute as an Adam shot took a big deflection to wrong foot the keeper, with Jacob ready to pounce. Although the flow of the game was broken with a series of foul throws, the boys had complete control: Adam had another left back to terrorise and Jacob kept the rest of the defence on their toes. Danny was having a lively debut in midfield, linking well with Caleb but they were guilty of not making the best of their opportunities.

It took until the 17^th minute for them to double the lead as Caleb picked up the ball in midfield and slalomed, Messi-like, through a mesmerised defence to pass it into the left corner of the goal. They nearly extended their lead three minutes later as Matty put an excellent ball through but Adam was unable to take advantage.

The defence had had little to do but Ciarán needed to make an excellent one-on-one block to prevent a goal and then made amends for his own mistake to keep a clean sheet. From his long clearance, Jacob took the ball under control and almost put Danny through.

The third goal finally came a minute before half time as a long range shot from Josh went through the keeper, who had just made a good block to deny Adam. The first half scoring wasn’t finished though as, seconds before the whistle, a desperate push out by the North keeper fell to Danny to slot home as reward for his energetic half.

From the start of the second half, the boys created chances. In the first minute, an excellent cross from Caleb fell to Adam who missed the open goal. A free kick from Josh went narrowly wide through a packed box and Jacob forced a save from the keeper.

The fifth goal came in the sixth minute as Josh and Adam worked a short corner and Caleb slotted the ball neatly home. Jacob and Caleb were then quick to nick the ball back from the kick off, only for Adam’s bad luck to continue as he his the foot of the post.

Ciarán was briefly called into action to make a save from a free kick on the left but otherwise it was one-way traffic as first Jacob and then Caleb created space for Danny, resulting in corners. Adam had another header cleared off the line and then Matty hit one of his trademark long range fizzers that was pushed wide.

Can I keep the ball?

With a quarter of the match left, Adam saw another header go just over the bar from sharp cross from Josh and then Jacob had a good shout for a penalty as the defender took his ankles. Danny then kept up his good display but saw his shot hit the side netting.

Having finally broken his duck a few weeks back, Caleb then completed a hat-trick in this game with a neat shot past the keeper to make it 6-0. With little defending to do, the defence were free to push forward and Josh sent a ball through the middle which nobody got on the end of. 

With a minute to go, the tireless Jacob finally thought his time had come as he created space on the edge of the box but Matty was on hand to beat him to it and fire the seventh into the bottom corner to give the boys their biggest win of the season.

This was an excellent all-round performance, made better by the fact that the boys had to play the whole game without any substitutions. Jacob created space throughout the match, as did Adam, and Danny’s first display suggested good things for the future but the Man of the Match award went to Caleb not only for his three goal haul but also for a solid midfield performance.

Injury latest!

Ouch! This is much better than a boring old metatarsal break - a proper bone snap.

Just in case anybody thought he didn't fancy playing in the cold, here's proof that Joe isn't faking it. The top of my arm is feeling sore just looking at it.

Thankfully he is well on the road to recovery and expects to be able to open his Christmas presents without too much difficulty. Perhaps we'll see him on the touchline soon (or maybe he'll be sensible and stay tucked up in bed!).

Match Report – Game 9 – Saturday 20th November

vs. TMS 2-6

Team: Ciarán; Josh, Stephen (capt.); Jacob, Caleb, Adam; Seamus. Subs: Elliot, Matty.

The boys held their own against table-topping TMS in the first half but their opponents showed their class in the second.

Although the first half started with Ciarán making a couple of comfortable saves and Stephen clearing with a solid header, the boys were soon busy at the other end of the pitch. Adam was again creating chances from the left, putting Seamus in on the TMS defence.

With Josh also keeping things tight at the back, the boys were setting a challenge for the league leaders. Adam figured again after 10 minutes, forcing a corner with good work down the left which needed a solid defensive header from their opponents. A minute later, though, they took the lead after some tricky play by Jacob on the right created an opening for Adam who had drifted into the middle and his deflected shot sailed in.

The boys had quietly got on with the job and were well worth the lead but went to sleep from the kick off as the midfield parted like the Red Sea and Ciarán was rather harshly judged to have brought down the onrushing forward as he came out. The penalty kick was belted into the top right hand corner to bring the scores level.

Rather than let their heads drop, the boys went back up the other end and forced TMS onto the back foot. A goal kick from TMS was returned with interest by Stephen and Seamus’ harrying forced another corner. Jacob was also keeping the defence busy and, after more good work on the left from Adam, he saw a touch roll narrowly wide on the 17 minute mark.

The boys restored their lead after 19 minutes with a goal of which they can be rightly proud. The ball arrived with Jacob after some crisp passing and his first time ball left Seamus all alone to expertly flip the ball over the stranded keeper.

The response from TMS was immediate and reflected on the quality of the boys play in the first half as they were forced to bring on some of the more renowned players. The substitutions bought immediate reward as the boys fell foul of this season’s Achilles Heel. Another poorly defended corner saw the ball arrived to an unmarked TMS player beyond the back post and his equalising header flew into the opposite corner of the net.

Caleb and Jacob still had time to work an opening on the right and another long clearance from Stephen again almost created a chance for Seamus as the boys ended the half on the attack.

Matty had come on for Adam just before half time and Elliot replaced Jacob as the second half began. He was quickly into the action, on the end of move from Josh and Seamus, to win a corner.

TMS were now beginning to come forward with more authority but Stephen proved their measure. The high flying leaders nearly went behind for a third time as Elliot’s ball into the centre was met by Seamus whose goal bound shot was hacked off the line.

Matty had dropped back to defence and showed his increasing confidence with a timely interception and Caleb made good use of his touch out. Stephen was on the end of a TMS corner after 6 minutes but poor marking from another corner yet again saw TMS take the lead for the first time two minutes later.

TMS were now finding a lot of space down the right and it took a full length diving save from Ciarán halfway through the half to keep them at bay. Adam was back, at Josh’s expense, as Caleb’s ball set Seamus free. The top scorer got on the end of the corner only to see the ball go wide of the right hand post.

That proved to be Caleb’s last touch as Jacob came back on to try and force an equaliser but the space on the right was exploited yet again as the TMS blonde starlet cut in to hit an unstoppable shot past Ciarán.

Just pull the string and watch me score!

Elliot had put together some good moves with Seamus in the second half and, after an Elliot shot went wide, the pair worked a neat 1-2 only for Seamus, who had hustled the TMS defence all match, to shoot narrowly wide.

With the boys tiring and still looking to get back into the game, TMS scored a fifth goal which was almost a carbon copy of the fourth. The never say die attitude of the TMS No. 8 – probably the best player the boys have faced this season – was rewarded with a hat trick as another two sweetly struck shots, with either foot, left Ciarán groping for air and gave the final score a slightly flattering appearance.

The first half performance deserved better reward and it is to the boys’ credit that their opponents were forced to finish the game with their strongest team to ensure victory. TMS were nearly thwarted by SAS – Stephen’s stalwart defending being narrowly beaten to the Man of the Match award by Seamus for his fine leading of the line throughout the game and his cool touch for the second goal.

News from the treatment room

Joe is likely to be out until the New Year wtih what the Under 10s Head of Sport Science R.Ithertz described as "certainly looking like a significant arm injury."
Unlike a local counterpart, manager Ian felt compelled to comment. "I'm very disappointed. We thought we had an agreement with the playground monitor that Joe would only spend 5 minutes on the astroturf, with our big match against TMS this weekend. It seems he was out there for a bit longer than we hoped."
Everybody wishes you a speedy recovery from what sounds like a nasty break, Joe, and we all hope to see you back firing in free kicks and corners as soon you are fit and well. Bet you can still beat your Dad on COD with one good arm, though!

Match Report – Game 8 – Saturday 13th November

vs. Marina Sands Tigers 6-0

Team: Ciarán; Josh, Matty; Stephen (capt.), Caleb, Adam; Jacob. Subs: Elliot, Joe, Seamus..

After a first half when it seemed as if lady luck was continuing to desert them, the boys turned on the style in the second half and ran out comfortable winners.

The match started scrappily as they struggled to combat their opponents’ rugged, clumsy approach. Josh banged in a long range shot in the 2^nd minute that was pushed around the post and Adam, who had just seen an excellent cross beat defence and attack, saw the same thing happen to his shot two minutes later. From the resulting corner, the ball came to Stephen whose shot was pushed onto the crossbar. As the Tigers tried to break out, Jacob took a knock to his knee and had to be replaced by Seamus.

Stephen was continuing to enjoy his midfield role but nobody took advantage of his tempting ball in as Adam’s shot was wide. In the 9^th minute, finally, the boys took the lead after good work from Adam, Caleb and Stephen left Seamus with an easy tap-in after the keeper could only parry the shot.

At the midway point of the first half Joe replaced Matty, with Stephen dropping back. The boys were then guilty of taking their foot off the gas, with Josh and Stephen having too much to do in defence. It wasn’t until the 19^th minute that Adam found enough space to create a chance from Seamus that they had the Tigers back on the rack.

In the 22^nd minute, the boys should have been awarded a penalty after Seamus appeared to be rugby tackled by the keeper as he followed in a shot from Josh. The loose ball then fell to Joe but he had time only to steer it onto the post. A minute later, Stephen was sandwiched between two forwards and, with no whistle from the referee again, Ciarán had to pull off a good double save to keep the Tigers out.

Elliot then had to replace Stephen and the boys closed out the half on the attack as a good corner from Joe gave Caleb a chance, who also saw a long range shot force a save from the busy Tigers’ keeper.

After a few stern words, the boys started the second half in a much more positive fashion with a free kick from Joe after only thirty seconds being headed clear. Caleb was continuing to work hard in midfield and he set up Seamus who couldn’t take advantage. The lead was finally doubled after only 3 minutes as another testing cross from Joe was mishandled by the keeper and Seamus was again in the right place at the right time.

Adam, as last week, was keeping the right back busy, as he set up Seamus. The pair linked well to force a corner, from which Seamus saw another chance go just wide.

Ciaran’s only second half contribution was to show off this season’s much improved catching skills and after 7 minutes the defence in front of him was refreshed as Matty replaced Josh.

Jacob replaced Caleb on the 9 minute mark soon after Adam had again set up Seamus but the dynamo forward completed his hat-trick a minute later with a tasty touch from a corner, forced after his harrying of an indecisive keeper.

The Tigers' defence had no answer to Seamus’ speed and movement, as he showed in the 15^th minute, rolling off the big defender to set up Joe for the fourth goal. He was there again a few minutes later, working the defence as a long range shot from Jacob was pushed out.

His work done for the morning, and the victory safe, Seamus gave way to Caleb for the final six minutes and he was immediately into the action, seeing his shot pushed away. Josh had replaced Adam just after the fourth goal and he created the fifth as his corner was headed in at the back post by Jacob.

Every outfield player had scored this season – bar one. Caleb saw a neat turn and shot on the edge of the box deflected wide and then set Joe up on the right and continued into the box to get onto the end of the ball as it came free, only to see the shot hit the post.  Finally he broke his duck with a minute to go as a corner from Joe caused mayhem in the penalty area, the backward defensive header coming back off the bar for Caleb to prod home.

Do you know anything about those wellies, Caleb?

The boys had benefited from a much better second half performance, full of movement, and finished the game on the attack as shots from Matty and Jacob kept the Tigers pinned back. The six goal difference between the two sides was the least that they deserved.

A second hat-trick of the season from Seamus and a solid second half display from Matty, doing the simple things well in defence and always available as an option going forward, were highlights but the Man of the Match award went to Caleb, continuing a good run of form in midfield and finally scoring a goal after coming close in recent weeks.

Well played, boys. Good form to carry into next week’s match against TMS…

Match Report – Game 7 – Saturday 6th November

vs. Ursuline 0-0

Team: Ciarán; Josh, Matty; Stephen (capt.), Caleb, Adam; Jacob. Subs: Elliot, Joe, Seamus.

How the boys did not win this one-sided encounter will remain a mystery for many a day. Only bad luck and a heroic performance from the Ursuline keeper prevented them from notching up a third win of the season.

From the start, Ursuline were on the back foot, with an early free kick and a cross from Stephen pushing them back. A rare Ursuline corner was headed safely away and soon after Stephen found some more space on the right after good work from Adam and Jacob.

The boys were awarded a penalty for handball in the 6^th minute but Adam’s spot-kick bounced back off the crossbar and Caleb’s shot from the rebound went just wide. Adam nearly made amends a few minutes later, after a defensive mistake, but his shot went over.

Adam was terrorising the Ursuline defence on the left, getting past the full back and feeding balls into the middle. A long range shot from Josh was parried away and the keeper made another good save from a shot Matty did well to keep down. From the resulting corner, Jacob connected well but his header went just wide. He then went even closer with his head from yet another cross from Adam.

Ursuline rarely got out of the own half in the first period, with Caleb picking up well in midfield and Josh and Matty mopping up behind. Caleb was getting forward and his 15^th minute shot was pushed around the post by the keeper. From Adam’s corner, Jacob couldn’t quite reach the corner but he was unlucky a minute later as a loose ball bounced away from him and into the safety of the keeper’s hands.

Adam was more than just the provider and a 17^th minute shot hit the side netting. Stephen was enjoying his chance in midfield, putting in Jacob but the chance went begging. Ciarán had his chance on the 20^th minute to prove his concentration, coming out of his box to clear, and the boys finished the half on the attack as Josh belted a long range shot against the crossbar and Adam sent in Caleb, only for the shot to roll narrowly wide. Somehow the match was goalless at half time.

Joe, Seamus and Elliot replaced Matty, Jacob and Caleb for the second half, with Stephen dropping back into defence and Josh pushing forward. Adam continued to turn the defenders inside out on the left, setting up Seamus but his touch ran across the goal. Adam then saw a long range shot pushed out by the keeper, after good work from Joe, and Seamus then set Adam up but the shot went wide.

Ursuline gave their defence a break and caused a few problems but Josh and Stephen managed to hold them at bay. They were not comfortable on the attack though, unwilling to push too many players forward for a corner. As the boys went back on the attack, Joe saw a shot deflected wide and Seamus’ trickery created some space on the right. In the 13^th minute, Seamus set up Adam only for the keeper to make another good save.

From a 16^th minute free kick for handball, Joe kept his thumping shot low but the keeper was equal to it. A golden chance went begging a minute later as Adam’s ball in fell to Seamus whose shot was saved and Joe couldn’t steer the rebound past the stranded keeper.

Ursuline sensed they could snatch something from the game in the last five minutes but Elliot and Stephen were alert and Ciarán made a comfortable save at his feet. After another shot, this time from Josh, had been cleared and the boys could not make good use of Adam’s corner, changes were made for the final few minutes as Jacob and Caleb came back on, replacing Adam and Stephen.

9am kick off - bed head!

There was still time for Josh to send in Seamus who linked well with Joe but the Ursuline defence stood firm and in the last minute they came close to a totally undeserved winner only for Ciarán to turn the ball away for a corner and for Joe to get a firm header clear to ensure a first clean sheet of the season.

The Ursuline manager commented afterwards that the boys had put in the best footballing performance against his side this season, which they can be rightly proud of, but they need to just master the art of turning chances into goals and avoid breaking any mirrors and walking under ladders this week.

Man of the Match: having turned the defence inside out so often some of the defenders needed to untwist their legs and creating a regular supply of chances, Adam put in his best performance of the season and takes the award this week.

Match Report – Game 6 – Saturday 30th October

vs. Scarisbrick 4-1

Team: Ciarán; Josh, Stephen (capt.); Joe, Caleb, Adam; Seamus. Subs: Elliot, Jacob, Matty.

This was a comfortable win for the boys which, with luck and some composure in front of goal, could have ended up with Scarisbrick conceding as many goals as in their other games.

After a slow start with a low sun behind them, they were finding plenty of space down the right with Josh and Joe linking well. As a 3^rd minute corner went begging with nobody at the back post, the boys continued to open up their opponents’ defence without producing the killer ball.

In the 6^th minute, a poor goal kick fell straight to Seamus but the keeper made amends, blocking with his legs. A minute later, they went even closer as a long range shot from wide on the right from Caleb hit the top of the crossbar.

Still keeping the left back busy, a square ball from Joe reached Adam, whose shot forced a good save from the keeper. There was no joy from a series of corners, until Joe got on the end of one from Adam in the 13^th minute but his shot was high. Moments later Adam broke down the left but again there was nobody to take advantage of the cross.

After 15 minutes, Matty, Jacob and Elliot replaced Josh, Joe and Seamus to try and break the deadlock. Caleb, who again was battling in midfield, and Jacob quickly began to link up. Elliot was working hard to get on the end of the host of openings, slipping at the last minute and then finding the keeper at his feet as Adam sent in a low ball.

The boys were getting closer and, after Adam had seen a long range shot fizz wide, they finally went a goal up in the 22^nd minute as a neat ball through the middle from Caleb gave Elliot the chance to tuck it into the corner. It was only the Scarisbrick keeper, with two saves from Adam and Caleb, who kept the difference to one goal at half time.

Seamus, Joe and Josh came back on for the second half, as Elliot, Adam and Matty took a break. Ciarán needed to be alert straight from the kick off, as Scarisbrick started quickly. From his clearance, Josh picked the ball up, worked some space and unleashed an unstoppable shot into the bottom corner. The lead had been doubled after only 30 seconds!

Scarisbrick tried the same trick from the next restart and went even closer than before, as the ball rattled the crossbar and post. The boys hit back with period of play that left their opponents pinned back as Caleb and Joe saw shots either go wide or be deflected for corners. From one of those, Jacob saw a low header go just past the post.

Ciarán’s contribution in the first half had been with deep kicks peppering the edge of the Scarisbrick box but his handling skills were needed in the 6^th minute to push a shot over the bar after some poor tackling in midfield had left Scarisbrick in space. From the corner, Seamus broke out but could not take advantage.

Substitutions in the 10^th minute saw Elliot, Matty and Adam come back on for Seamus, Josh and Caleb. Elliot and Matty dropped into defence and they kept it tight for the rest of the match. This released Stephen, who had had his usual solid game, into midfield.

The boys kept the forward momentum, as Joe saw a shot pushed wide and Jacob worked hard on the right to force another corner. In the 16^th minute, they finally got some reward from the many corners: Adam swung one in from the left and Stephen, finding space, popped a header past the stranded keeper.

A clean sheet should have been on the cards but an error in the 17^th minute by Ciarán from a throw-in left the ball to trickle over the line and the keeper looking for the ground to swallow him up.

As Scarisbrick took some heart from their undeserved lifeline, Jacob broke out but his shot was straight at the keeper. He repeated the run in the 22^nd minute but it wasn’t to be his day as the shot hammered against the foot of the post with the keeper beaten. A minute later, another thumping clearance by Ciarán was picked up on the right by Jacob and his cross left Adam to tap in the fourth goal. There was still time for more bad luck for Jacob as his excellent volley from a good early cross was just wide.

To their credit, the boys created a host of chances throughout the game – but it will be finishing that will be high on the list for practice before another early start against Ursuline next week.

The versatility of Elliot – scoring the first goal and effortlessly slotting into right back to finish the game – saw him receive the Man of the Match medal.

Match Report – Game 5 – Saturday 16th October

vs. Silcox Villa: 2-3

Team: Ciarán; Josh, Stephen (capt.); Joe, Caleb, Adam; Jacob. Subs: Elliot, Matty, Seamus.

The boys started brightly against unbeaten Silcox Villa, with Joe getting a shot in from wide after only 55 seconds. Joe then went on set up Adam but his shot was wide. Adam was seeing a lot of the ball down the left and, with a neat through ball from Jacob, saw another chance blocked away by the keeper.

Silcox were picking the ball up in midfield, despite Caleb’s best efforts with his head and it took a last ditch tackle by Stephen, with three forwards behind him, to keep them out. Stephen was playing up to last week’s form but the whole defence went to sleep after 12 minutes as a left side corner was headed in with the Silcox player under no pressure.

The boys were creating space in front of goal however: the shot at the end of a fleet-footed dribble from Adam was blocked away soon after a looping lob from Caleb had just cleared the crossbar. Silcox were still a menace as they continued to pick up the ball in midfield but the boys were back on level terms in the 19^th minute, again from a corner, as the low ball from Adam was prodded home by Jacob.

The half continued to follow the same pattern, as Silcox Villa threatened from midfield but the boys continued to carve out the chances. A snapshot from Adam – although he was nearly tackled by a two year old girl running onto the pitch! – was saved and an error from the keeper nearly let in Jacob. Silcox Villa barely deserved their half time lead, then, as another left side corner this time was expertly headed back across the goal into the top corner.

With Matty and Seamus replacing Joe and Jacob at half time, the second half began like the first, with the boys pushing on looking for the equaliser. Another mazy run from Adam produced a half chance but Silcox were busy at the other end. Another corner was met with a bullet header but this timer Ciarán was able to push it onto the bar and take the rebound.

A defensive mix-up nearly let Silcox in but again Ciarán was there to make the save. Although Silcox went close soon after, the boys pulled the score back to 2-2 in the 7^th minute. A ball into the danger area from Matty, indecision from the keeper and there in a shot was Seamus, slipping it under the keeper for the equaliser.

As soon as they were on equal terms, however, the boys went to sleep and Silcox went straight back up the other end and restored their lead, as Ciarán could only push away a shot to the unmarked forward to tap in. With Elliot replacing Adam, they almost got back to level terms as quick as they had gone behind as a run from Seamus on the break saw him shoot narrowly wide. A long range shot from Adam, quickly back on to replace the injured Stephen, fizzed wide.

Into the last quarter of the match, Silcox Villa began to take a stranglehold on midfield as they continued to pick up the loose balls as the boys pushed on. Ciarán was to prove more than up for the task, however, as he pulled of a series of solid saves and handling safe enough to make a keeper down the M62 blush! Diving bravely at the feet of the forward to take the ball, a reflex save with an outstretched foot, a challenge enough to put the forward off – Silcox Villa were held at bay. Helped by some solid tackles by Matty and some bad misses, Silcox could not extend their lead.

It was not all one way traffic, however, as battling work from Elliot and Jacob, back on for Caleb, kept their defence busy and a lob from Seamus just cleared the bar. With Josh now raiding down the right, he linked up with Seamus to force a corner but Silcox broke out quickly and it took a double save from Ciarán to prevent the fourth goal.

With no game next Saturday, the boys must surely have run out of table-topping teams to play when they return. By then, a couple of solid training sessions should see them get a better balance between attack and defence and turn the current series of narrow defeats into the victories they deserve.

Man of the match: an almost unanimous vote (well, at least one parent has to vote for somebody else!) saw a bravura second half display from Ciarán rewarded with the medal this week.  

Match Report – Game 4 – Saturday 9th October

vs. Camlyn Rangers White: 0-1

Team: Ciarán; Josh, Stephen (capt.); Jacob, Caleb, Adam; Seamus. Subs: Elliot, Joe, Matty.

This was a much improved performance from last week. The boys failed to capitalise on first half chances in an even game and undeservedly lost to a late second half goal.

Both sides fought for superiority in the early minutes: Adam and Seamus linked well early on, only for the chance to be snuffed out and a dribble from Adam forced a save from the keeper. Either side of this, Camlyn got in long range shots which were comfortably dealt with by Ciarán. As the half wore on (and Ciarán’s push around the post did not result in a corner), the defence continued to hold strong, with a Caleb header clear from a corner and the usual strong defensive work from Stephen and Josh ensuring their opponents got no reward.

Midway through the half, a smart break down the right from Jacob won a corner. From Josh’s centre, the ball reached Seamus at an awkward height and he just failed to control it with the goal at his mercy. Having seen a generous free kick on the edge of the box for Camlyn sail over the bar, Caleb collected the ball from the goal kick and sent Seamus free, only for the defence to hook it clear. A minute later, the boys nearly took the lead again as Jacob saw his shot cleared off the line.

With Joe and Elliot coming on for Adam and Seamus for the last five minutes of the half (it would have been six minutes, but the referee’s watch must have been a Hong Kong model), the boys continued to keep it tight until half time.

With no changes at the turn around, Camlyn started on the offensive but a solid header from Joe and a clean catch by Ciarán from the corner saw the danger averted. As Camlyn attacks were regularly halted by Stephen and Josh, a long range shot from Caleb and good interplay from Jacob and Elliot kept the other defence busy.

Six minutes in and a triple change saw Matty, Adam and Seamus replace Josh, Jacob and Elliot and soon after Camlyn had a goal rightly disallowed: their centre forward, yet again obstructing Ciarán at the free kick, pushed the keeper out of the way and the ball sailed into the top corner. However, this proved more costly for Matty who, in trying to head the ball clear, only succeeded in bouncing off the goal post – two minutes on the pitch and a shiner on Sunday being his reward this week!

With Josh back on as a result, the boys nearly paid for a daft mix-up from the goal kick. Camlyn had a number of free kicks without causing many problems to the defence and Stephen continued to block and tackle superbly. It was not one-way traffic, though – Seamus saw a shot go wide on the half way mark and a low free kick from Joe was hacked away.

A Camlyn corner in the 19^th minute nearly brought a goal but as the ball hit the base of the post Ciarán dived on the rebound. The Crosby Stuart netminder was giving an assured display with safe handling from shots and corners – even when one escaped his gloves, the crossbar and Stephen came to his rescue.

Elliot and Jacob came on for the last five minutes, with Seamus and Joe making way but disaster struck with only three minutes left as Camlyn picked up a loose ball from a throw-in and the shot from just outside the area eluded the defence.

Desperate for an equaliser, the boys pushed on but were nearly caught again, only for Ciarán to take it bravely at the forward’s feet. As a last minute shot from Jacob went wide, so did the boys’ chances of getting something from this game.

This was a stronger defensive display from all the team, who deserved at least a point from the side who beat them in the Shield final last season.

Man of the Match: A true captain’s display this week from Stephen takes the award. Well in, Stevo!

Match Report – Game 3 – Saturday 2nd October

vs. Active Soccer: 1-6

Team: Ciarán; Stephen (capt.), Josh; Adam, Jacob, Joe; Seamus. Subs: Elliot, Matty

Passive defending against a much-changed Active Soccer saw the boys suffer a heavy defeat.

After a bright start, poor defending from a throw-in after only two minutes, with a flick-on to an unmarked forward, set the tone for the match.

The boys almost hit back immediately though, as a long ball from Josh left Joe in lots of space but his shot went just over the top. Jacob then set Seamus through but the shot was blocked; a minute later the same two linked again, only for Seamus to shoot wide under pressure.

Five minutes in and a well-weighted free kick from Joe was headed wide. The boys had Active Soccer pinned in their own half with Jacob finding space in the middle and Adam causing problems on the left – a solo run from defence by Adam saw their keeper make a good block to prevent the equaliser.

As well as they may have been playing going forward, the boys left themselves open to the break and paid a heavy penalty. Active Soccer broke out, found little resistance in midfield or defence and scored. By the fifteenth minute they were three down from another poorly defended throw-in.

Matty replaced Adam and soon after Jacob nearly got one back as a long distance shot hit the post. Matty found space on the left but a delayed shot was blocked by the defender.

Active Soccer were soon back on the attack and, from a free kick on the edge of the box, Ciarán made a sharp save but a fourth goal, again on the break, soon followed.

Elliot came in at right back for the second half, allowing Stephen to push on. Finally the link-up between Jacob and Seamus worked: a dribble, a pass and a fifth goal of the season for the nippy forward.

With Stephen working hard on the right and Jacob always looking for space, the boys played better in this half. Adam, back on for Matty, saw a header go narrowly wide but a fifth goal came 10 minutes in as goalkeeper and defence faltered to allow Active Soccer to score.

To their credit, the boys kept looking for goals. Stephen saw a shot from wide out skim along the bar and Adam had a shot pawed away. Joe came on to replace Seamus up front and the Active Soccer keeper pushed out a Josh free kick. The final substitution then saw Matty replace Jacob for the last three six minutes.

Active Soccer then got a sixth goal as, after an accurate cross-field ball, the forward sent a precise lob from a narrow angle into the net with Ciarán stranded in No Man’s Land.

Searching for a late consolation, an on-target shot from Joe hit the defender on the head, only for the deflection to go over the bar.

The boys must learn that defending is a responsibility for the whole team and to hold their position on the pitch – at times they were all guilty, from keeper to forward, of being in the wrong place and allowing the opposition space and time. It was a hard lesson against a good team but they must improve quickly if they are not to suffer similar disappointment again.

Man of the Match: Jacob was awarded the medal this week, for good play on the attack from midfield, looking for the pass to the man in space. Well done!

Match Report – Game 2 – Saturday 25th September

vs Marina Sands Lions: 0-2

Team: Ciarán; Stephen (capt.), Josh; Joe, Jacob, Caleb; Seamus. Subs: Elliot, Matty

This match highlighted two contrasting styles of play, with the boys’ neat passing outdone by the more direct style of their opponents.

It was no surprise that Marina Sands were peppering the goal with long range shots from the kick off, with a number of balls from their keeper sailing straight out of play at the other end. Good link up work from Josh and Seamus lead to a half-chance and then Jacob and Caleb combined well to force a corner.

Ciarán needed to show a safe pair of hands with a steady stream of balls coming in on the wind, but the boys went a goal down after 9 minutes after a throw-in was not cleared and the loose ball was poked home through a forest of legs.

There was still plenty of space behind both Marina Sands full backs which the boys were able to find but struggled to create any clear-cut chances. They forced a number of corners but were not able to exploit the nervous handling of the Marina Sands keeper. At the other end, a long range shot screamed narrowly over the top but Marina Sands were restricted to shooting from distance.

With Elliot replacing Joe at half time, the boys pushed forward but were caught on the break within 2 minutes as the blonde Marina Sands forward broke free, his shot leaving Ciarán with little chance.

Josh and Stephen were leading by example with their solid tackling and the boys continued to try and find space wide, with a Caleb shot from a tight angle hitting the outside of the post. The turning point in the game came a minute later, with the Marina Sands keeper saving a Seamus chance behind his goal line, only for the (Uruguayan?) referee to rule that the ball had not crossed the line.

Matty then replaced Caleb and showed great determination down the right for the rest of the game, linking well with Jacob and Seamus and creating a run of chances. Ciarán had a quieter second half but had to come out to bravely dive at the forward’s feet as Marina Sands broke out.

A change up front saw Seamus coming off with Jacob going forward and Caleb on again for the last 6 minutes and the boys’ last chance saw Elliot shoot narrowly wide at the far post from a dangerous Caleb cross.

The boys played the better football throughout this match but need to show a little more confidence in the tackle against bigger opponents. The determination of Josh, Stephen and Matty showed them how they can play. 

Man of the Match: Tackling hard and setting up a number of attacks, the award this week goes to Josh.

Match Report - Game 1 - Saturday 18th September

vs Ormskirk West End: 6-3

Team: Ciaran; Stephen (capt.), Josh; Joe, Elliot, Caleb; Seamus. Subs: Jacob, Matty

The season finally got off to a start a week late after a "grass cutting equipment failure" (or, the mower was broken). On the cricket club side of the road, the pitch looked like the mower was still broken - passing would need to be true! Adam was away on holiday but Caleb and Jacob were welcomed to the squad. With parents sensibly leaving the West End followers to look after the ditch, the Under 9s became Under 10s.

The boys started well, with a free kick going narrowly wide from Joe after only 90 seconds. West End were not going to be any pushovers, though, and a double save from Ciaran was needed to keep them at bay. After hitting the side netting and forcing a good save from the keeper, Seamus got the first goal of the new season after 12 minutes, glancing in a cross from the left from Caleb.  

With Jacob replacing Elliott, the boys pushed on and a first time pass from Joe set Jacob free, who shot narrowly wide. West End were still a threat, however, and five minutes before half time the equaliser came from an unfortunate own goal, a mistimed header from the forward bouncing off a knee and leaving the keeper with no chance.

The lead was restored within a minute, as Jacob threaded the ball through the defence for Seamus to tuck away his second. However, the lead was lost in a minute, as a loose ball in the centre let West End in for a second equaliser and a 2-2 scoreline at the break.

The second half started in just the right fashion, as Jacob picked up the ball on the right of the box and planted a shot into the opposite corner of the net, the West End keeper grasping at air. Caleb had dropped to right back for the second half alongside the ever-reliable Stephen and the defence needed to be on their wits as West End pushed again, forcing Ciaran to push one around the post. 

This proved to be the moment when the boys finally got control of the match. With Jacob beginning to run the game from the centre, always looking for the pass, and Josh and Joe buzzing on either side, the lead was doubled after 7 minutes as another neat Jacob pass set Seamus in for his hat-trick. The same pair linked up 5 minutes later, with Seamus getting another with a cheeky back heel. 

By now Matty had replaced Joe on the right and Elliott had come on to give four-goal hero Seamus a well-earned rest and the boys were in full flow, passing the ball with confidence. The sixth goal, and his first for the team, came from Matty as he rifled a shot into the net as the ball rebounded from the keeper. 

With 10 minutes to go, the boys kept pushing on looking for more goals. West End didn't lose heart though, and managed a consolation in the last two minutes.

This was a good performance from the boys, with good passing and movement throughout the team and a fine platform for the autumn. Next up, rivals Marina Sands Lions - more of the same please, boys!

Man of the match: For his four goals (even if he didn't get to keep the ball), the medal goes to Seamus.