The new season started today Sunday the 8th of January although a cold damp feeling in the air, we saw all three teams in action across the county.
Our Junior team of Under 9's were away to Groby junior Gladiators and from the off the spirit and determination of the team shone. The positional play was good as was all the tackling, with some great passing, closing down, and movement from the whole team. This all helped to give a dominant performance and a comfortable victory with goals coming from George and Oliver. Well done to all involved, the success of the players is a good reflection of Matt and Andy's work with the team.
Next up was the senior team of Under 14's, at the start of the new spring season, also away today to Wigston Youth for a 10.30 KO. The boys were keen to put a win under their belts today, with a new lineup in formation certainly helped secure a win today. The first 25 minutes of the match were a joy to watch with some great movement on and off the ball, excellent closing down, and fast-paced passing which all led to our first scorching goal by Evan 15 minutes into play hitting a curling strike from 20 yards out.
In the 25th minute, a combination of passes between Finn, Mass, and Jack who was playing his debut game today led to Dan comfortably making a run in the box to tap away a second goal.
Halftime saw Wigston change their formation to compensate for our dominance in midfield, it soon paid off as within a few minutes from kick-off they mounted an attack that led to a goal.
Not being deterred by this, we had several more attempts on goal with some near misses and excellent saves by their goalkeeper.
In the last ten minutes I saw us fighting to secure and also keep our win, the team moved to a back five and two holding midfielders which all helped to secure the final win to an ending that seemed to go on forever with 8 minutes of additional time being played.
In defense, today Aj, Matty, Lucas, Josh, Cam, and Tom all played very well and handled all the attacks on goal quite comfortably even with one or two injuries being incurred.
Goalkeeper Harvey made a few brilliant saves and is showing he is starting to bed in with the defenders comfortably.
Midfield workhorses today were Siyam, Evan, Finn, Billy, and Olly who closed down brilliantly and really took the game to the opposition.
Up front were Dan, Mass, and Jack who all played their part with some lovely runs on goal and a few nice attempts,
new partnerships can take a while to develop but the boys seemed to be getting into the swing of it.
All in all a win made difficult by lack of fitness thanks to the Christmas break, but non the less a win they deserved and fought for hard today. Well done boys I am always a proud Manager and best supporter of you nutty lot.
Last but not least our under-13's playing a home match in the third round of the Chairman's Cup against Lutterworth Town and what an exciting match that was too.
I managed to see the last 5 minutes of the first half leading into the second and when I arrived we were leading 2-0 at halftime. The boys went into the second half determined to nail a victory of epic proportions.
Defenders Muhammad, Rayeen, Fetrat, Elijah, and Jake all had solid performances with very little action in defense.
Goalkeeper Kaamil had not much to do at all, to be honest, and when required a few saves were made.
Midfield Oscar, Jahi, Hammed, Abass, Osayd, and Mikaeel once again dominated in midfield controlling gameplay a good 80% of the time.
Forwards Rhys and Isaiah had a stomping time taking the game to the opposition. Goals from Oscar (2), Isaiah, Hamed, Rayeen, and Osayd all nicely done.
All in all a brilliant team performance with lots of passes and move played at a high pace that was really wonderful to watch for me and on looking parents. The boys exuded confidence which showed in their gameplay and also showed me how much they have come on in such a small amount of time.
Credit to Ikki and Gus for doing a great job in developing players individually and as a squad playing as a team.
Thank you to all the helpers today and a huge thank you to all our parents and guardians for your support.
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