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.