Under 13 Whites Vs Shrepreth Spitfires

Firstly, as you would expect, the children were impeccable in respecting the one minute silence for remembrance day.

A cup game saw us almost at full strength, with only Alex missing.  I won’t repeat who played where, as most people played in at least a couple of positions.  We played well, but were the authors of our own difficulties by failing to hold our positions (in particular in defence) and allowing one ball through to the forward meaning he/she was bearing down on goal.  We were able to snuff out these opportunities and next season, when offside comes into play, holding a high line will be fine, but against stronger opposition this season we will be made to pay if the same tactic is adopted by others.  Despite these difficulties, we played well and were the stronger team throughout.  We scored early on when Henry made a good break from defence and rolled the ball to Albie, who buried a powerful shot into the Shepreth net.  There was then a lengthy period of pressure, but it was only towards the end of the half when Henry (now in midfield) passed to Ollie, who took a touch and buried a good shot into the corner of the goal, that there was daylight between the teams.  Kicking downhill second half saw more domination; however, Shepreth halved the deficient when Joseph, who was excellent at coming off his line and clearing the danger, was beaten by a tidy finish at the second post.  Surely Shepreth wouldn’t be able to peg us back?  We were now creating good chances with abandon, but they were coming and going.  Eventually, though, we got our just rewards.  A marauding run from Patrick saw him find Flynn, who beat his man and was unlucky to see a good finish come back off the post, but Alfie was on hand to tuck away the rebound.  Henry was then able to rob the ball high up the pitch and run through to produce a comprehensive finish to give an unassailable lead, which he extended when Albie passed him the ball deep and Henry can through and produced another good finish to double his tally for the game.  As always, there are things to work on, but everyone continues to improve and who can ask for anymore?  Of note today were Albie and Ollie, who both held their positions really well towards the end of the game to enable us to keep any threats during that period to almost nothing, and Alfie.  Flynn had his best game of the season so far and Patrick did well bearing in mind he was clearly carrying a knock.  The player of the match was given to Henry though, not least because of his willingness to use his weaker foot and to reflect how good his link up play is becoming.  Onto the next round and what will hopefully be an extended cup run.