Quarter Finals cup Matches 20/02/16

Signol Athletic Reds Vs AFC Stanley Reds

Captained by Caleb the boys didn't start with much pace. We looked tired and noncompetitive. The ball was given away all the time and AFC were quick to get one past Ethan. Thankfully this seemed to wake them up and all of a sudden they came alive. Heads were up! The ball was moving around they were playing some fantastic football. Its really sinking in now that the ball can move faster than a player. They did the kick off beautifully as we do in training and the ball headed to their net, seizing the opportunity Kian bagged a goal for the team. The battle was on. George "the wall" Hall was defending fantastically and didn't let that ball passed him again in this half. On the attack Nyle shot one in the net and things were looking brighter for them. Caleb nabbed the 3rd goal of the first half and displayed some fantastic tackles as always.
Second half started at a great pace, with Kobe, Harry, Louis and George on. A cracking ball for Louis unfortunately went over the net but this seemed to drive him on as he put two in their net. Harry snatching the ball from AFC not letting them passed also scored a goal. Kobe on the wing constantly pushing but unfortunately could get the goal he was looking for but still some great shots on target for him. Georges performance in the second half was better and he helped keep Ethan out of the line of fire. Ethan is coming along now and using more area and some great movement. An unfortunate lack of concentration and tackles from the boys and one shot passed his head but none the less a great game for Ethan.

Man of the match and captain next week went to George. Great game for him today, might need to put him in a match first to wake him up before the semi finals :)

Well done boys Semi Finals next!

Signol Athletic Blues Vs Duckingfield Youth Blacks

Another slow start on this pitch saw a goal fired in from Ducky. The boys positioning was fine, they all knew where they should be, Dylan on center mid, Josh right, Rio Left, Thomas in Defence and Kieren in the net. Captained by Kieren the boys began to fight for an even score line. Some brilliant saves from Kieren using his whole body and covering the ball. He seems to be right at home between the posts! Even a compliment from the other coach regarding our "keeper" was nice to hear. The ball just wasn't staying at the lads feet and there was a lot of tumbling over it. Rio shot one in and did his thumb sucking celebration, made the boys laugh! Dylan had a great go on the other team, plowing in and chasing them down. Tom never fails to deliver, such a sound defender, hes a natural. Doing everything he could to clear the ball. Josh "the scrapper" Kemp is a wizard on the pitch, he manages to be everywhere the ball is and fights to the death to win it. It was unfortunate there wasn't enough power in their boots today as pretty much all shots were on target. Another goal sailed in from Ducky as we went into half time.
Second half saw Fin in defence, Rio left, Dylan center and Jackson right. the kick off was perfect, 1-2 and wide, the ball was over the line so much faster and the boys pushed on. another two from Rio secured his hatrick much to his and his team mates approval, Scrapping on the lads fought with every bone in their body. Some tough tackles were taken and given but a free kick was handed to us. Ducky managed to get another two and the pressure was on to try to equalize to get to penalties. With only 5 minutes left i switch Dylan for Josh and off he went straight up the pitch, again just not catching enough power to get it past the keeper. There was a moment our hearts were in our mouths when there was, almost a rugby scrum, in front of their net to get a goal but there were just too many feet and legs preventing it going in. They didn't give up as they never do, they kept going and going with full force until the final whistle. An unlucky game but a game played with passion. i couldn't have been more prouder of them as i was today. Looking at them from September to now, they have come on in leaps and bounds. Just sit tight lads and come the new season we go seven a side i think that will suit you all more perfectly.

Man of the match and captain next week had to be Josh. The constant battle, passion and will to win is clear on his face. Hes a little trooper!

Well done boys, you still get to play a cup final with the other runners up on the main pitch at Curzon in May.

Thanks
Hayley