U11: Stretton Eagles 5-0 Stapenhill Swans Red
Eagles finished the season with a comfortable win over relegated Swans. A brace apiece for Calvin and Josh K and the first goal of the season for Sam made up the total. Given the number of chances they had, Eagles might of overhauled the massive goal difference between themselves and Marlborough Rovers 2000 but four shots against the post, one against the bar and numerous misses/saves kept the score down.
Eagles were straight into their game, with Shaun winning everything in the middle of the park and spreading the ball wide. Josh and Sam combined down the right and with William on the left, Stretton created numerous chances but failed to put the ball in the net; Josh hit the post, Sam fired at the ‘keeper, Rajan shot just wide and Subhaan drilled a ball wide of the far post.
When Calvin entered the frame, Eagles changed tack and sent him down the middle. Again and again Josh and Jordan played him through but shot after shot went wide.
Calvin finally broke the deadlock on 20mins, toe-poking the ball home from the edge of the box after being played through by Ben. A minute later, Sam made it 2-0; after the keeper had saved the initial shot, Sam had time to compose himself and place the ball for his first of the season.
Before half-time, Calvin clattered the workwork twice, had a free-kick well saved and scored his second of the match to make it 3-0.
Eagles continued to play entertaining football in the second half with much of the attacking play going down the left but the final product was again missing.
Thomas became the third player to hit the post after overlapping down the left and cutting inside; Jordan then went on a stupendendous run, dribbling past 5 or 6 defenders, only to tamely shoot into the ‘keepers arms. Ben, looking for his first of the season, also hit it straight at the keeper; Joe and Calvin, shooting from distance, couldn’t find the target either.
With 5 minutes remaining Josh K finally hit the target, arriving on the far post to get on the end of a corner hit low across the box. Minutes later, he got his second to make it five-nil, pouncing on the ball in a crowded area, to hit it home from around the penalty spot.
Eagles showed that they can pass the ball around well and play some intelligent football, but will need to do it under pressure and improve their finishing for the next campaign.
Man of the Match: Josh Kinsey
Thanks John for putting me on the right wing and I’m happy I played well.
Josh K
Well done lads, a fantastic match to watch from the side lines. A few more goals would have been nice and would have been justified with the amount of chances we had.
A good end to the season with 20 out of our final tally of 27 points coming in the second half of the season.
I hope you have all enjoyed it as much as I have, it is really nice coaching a good bunch of lads.
Once again lads thanks for a good season and well done to you all, see you on Thursaday for training and don’t be late.
Need to check those stats, Adey – we had 10pts by the end of November.
Sorry John! Correction on the tally is 17 from our final total of 27 points were gained in the second half of the season.
Now now Ady and John – stop bickering,it’s usually the kids job to do that.Good effort and commitments from all the lads – thanks for another good season of football.Thanks Ady and John for your time,efforts and support.
A shaky start to the season but gradually got better, thank you John and Adey, hope you are both there next season.