Sunday 26th September vs Swanland

Today we were back to full strength with Josh having fully recovered. It was also our first home game of the season so we arrived early to assemble the goals & nets.This was made much easier with the help from numerous parents, including some who were "old hands" at getting pitches ready.
Just like last week, the weather wasn't particularly kind & we were faced with light rain before & during the first match. However this didn't dampen anybody's enthusiasm & the boys were as keen as ever to get started.
Again, we had plenty of vocal support from family & friends which made for a great atmosphere - & our support was equally matched by the supporters from Swanland.
Match 1 - Lost 1-0
It was evident from early on that we had two very evenly matched teams which resulted in two very closely fought matches. It showed that after last weeks baptism, the boys were more comfortable with the size of the pitch & most of them paced themselves for the duration of the matches.
From the sideline, it seemed to me that we probably had the lions share of the shots, but we were unlucky to be off target or faced with some good defending & goal-keeping.
After a goalless first-half we were undone in the second half by a long range curling shot from outside the penalty area which fully deserved to win the match. A great goal from Swanland!
Match 2 - Drawn 0-0
Yet again I was confronted with a sea of beaming faces all desperately keen to play & try to get on the score sheet. As we learned last week, everyone tends to slow throughout the second match as the effort involved takes its toll, so it was helpful to have 4 substitutes on the sideline who could help out.
Again there were plenty of chances at both ends but both goalies (Benson for us & Oscar for Swanland) did themselves proud & kept the attackers at bay. Our best effort resulted in their keeper "catching" the ball between his knees.
So after the draw we decided to have penalties to add to the fun. I must admit that I didn't keep track of the score, but after some terrific saves from Benson, it was evident we had won the penalty shoot-out - perhaps Fabio should send the England team down to learn from us! :-) (Somebody told me later we'd apparently won 5-1 on penalties.)
So it was another great day all round & everyone's ready for our first indoor training session of the autumn on Tuesday - when we'll have to do shooting practice!!
And the B team got their season off to a flying start with 5-0 & 4-0 wins away at Bridlington!!

Sunday 19th Sept vs Elloughton Stirlings

It proved to be an early start for some of us - Harry was in his full kit (including shin pads) at 7am - & I imagine all the other boys were just as keen to get started! Unfortunately for Joshua C he'd been ill all night & couldn't make it & so everyone was going to have to play even longer than planned. (We all hope you're fit for next Sunday Joshua.)


Although it was a rainy morning itdidn't dampen anybody's enthusiasm as we travelled the short distance to Elloughton's ground at Brough. It was great to see a good crowd of supporters to cheer the boys on.


After a warm-up we were ready to kick-off in match 1. This was the first time we'd played a match as a team (we'd added some new players & lost one or two since the June tournament) & both the pitch & the goals looked ENORMOUS! And ten minutes each way over two matches proved to be a real test of fitness.

Match 1

At kick-off everyone was keen to get a touch of the ball & the subs couldn't wait to have a chance to show their skills. After a very evenly matched first half (including some great saves from Benson, terrific tackling & mazy dribbling from our outfield players) we found ourselves 3-0 down following some really good goals from the opposition. Undaunted, we fought back to 3-1 & eventually 4-2 after a couple of great goals from Ben, well supported by his team-mates.

Match 2
Having settled into our play & buoyed on by some great support by our crowd (plus Adele's half-time oranges) , everyone was determined to do even better in match 2, refereed by John. Even after conceding a goal early in the first half, we continued to play well & were rewarded by an equaliser from Harry. Elloughton came back to take the lead again 2-1, but despite feeling wet & tired, the boys dug in & scored again through Ben.

Playing our best football of the match , we pushed on & were very unlucky not to win. We had several shots just wide & there were a string of great saves by their goalie. A couple more minutes & I'm sure we would have won - but 2-2 was a great result against a strong team.

Every player did themselves proud & it was great to see a crowd of smiling faces at the end, who were cheered all the way by our fantastic supporters.

I also just wanted to say "thanks" to Lawrence (the Elloughton coach) & his team & supporters for a great start to our footballing journey. We were made very welcome & he's got the makings of a great team. (He mentioned to me afterwards that two of their players are soon to have trials with Hull City so we feel chuffed to have competed so well against such good opposition.) We'd love to play them again in the future.
What a fantastic first outing & we all can't wait until next Sunday for our first home match - against Swanland.

Preparing for the season ahead

A lot seems to have happened since the last posting. We've now formed two teams - the Under 8's A team coached by Simon & John & the B team coached by Jez. We finally ended up with 21 players who were keen to play, so there are 11 in the A squad & 10 in the B squad.

We continued training over the summer as everyone was keen to keep playing. Most of the summer sessions were matches rather than training. The highlight (?) of the sessions was usually the Lads versus Dads (& Mums) match - which often consisted of 18-20 lads against 4 or 5 Dads & Mums. Despite what the lads might tell you, the Dads didn't play too badly - & the Mums were even better!!

The finale of each session was always a penalty shoot-out when the lads would take penalties against one of the Dads - & the Dads would take penalties against ALL the lads (yes, all in goal at the same time!!) Needless to say who won those................................

So, as school & proper football training started again in September, we prepared for the season ahead. Both the A & B teams were placed in Division 3 of the Hull Boys Sunday Football League & received details of the fixtures, starting on 19th September & ending in November.

The A teams first match was away at Elloughton Stirlings in Brough on Sunday 19th September - & we couldn't wait to get started...........