A Great Start! Sunday 4^th September 2005 ____________________________________________________________________

Finally, our first competitive league game, in the Hanham Minor League (HML) U9’s ‘B’ Division. We were at home, and it was a lovely day. I was aiming to have two settled sides this season but with both Josh & Ethan away from the Yellow team, Luke came in to make the numbers even.

Game 1 - The line up was:

Joby

Oscar Jack Sam B

Dan Sam K Jordan

Rolling Subs: Spike & Tom

We launched straight into the attack and caused a melee in their area. It was cleared to the half-way line where Sam B met it with a thundering strike with shot through everyone. The ‘keeper got it, but only after seeing it late. ‘Stoke tried to get through us but Joby was quickly off of his line and got it. Jordan and Jack passed well before getting it to Sam K but his shot was saved by the ‘keeper. They then had another attack which Joby again came out to clear. Sam B spotted Dan down the line, but his pass just went out. Oscar defended well, and his ball through found Sam K, but his shot wasn’t powerful enough and the ‘keeper got it. There was confusion in our area as the ball rolled across goal, but Joby & Sam B got in the way to clear it. Sam K went on a run, one-two’d with Jordan but they managed to intercept it. Spike then got it and shot, but it was just wide. Tom played the ball out to Spike, who turned and played Dan through, but it was just cut out. Joby then kicked the ball long to Dan, who played a lovely ball inside for Spike, but there were too many defenders in the way. It wasn’t all one way, as Jack and Oscar were kept busy at the back.

HALF-TIME: FRYS 0 BRADLEY STOKE 0

Tom got the ball and played it through to Sam K, but he was blocked by a ‘Stoke defender. He managed to win the ball back, but his crossed skimmed across the face of the goal. The game was stopped for an injury, and was restarted with a drop-ball. Tom won it, surged forward, but his shot was just wide. We headed up-field for a corner, but it was cleared and Joby faced two. He came running out and managed to block both players. The ball was played through for Jordan but he was just blocked as he readied himself for a shot. A corner came into our end, and after some confusion, Tom cleared long to Dan. He went on a run for goal, but his shot was just the wrong side of the post.

FULL-TIME : FRYS 0 BRADLEY STOKE 0

Man of the Match – Chosen by Anita Baker for excellent play – Sam Burgess

Game 2 - The line up was:

Jamie G

James Mark Jim

Luke Max Josef

Rolling Subs: Callum & Joe

With both Josh & Ethan away, Callum was captain for the day, proud mum Alison filming the Captain’s arm-band rather than the game…. Luke was straight in with a hard tackle, and then went on a run down the wing. He tried to cross, but won a corner. From a corner to ‘Stoke, Max won the ball, ran the whole length of the pitch despite three or four attempts at a tackle, and just saw the ball cleared as he neared the goal. They attacked and Jamie looked exposed, but he managed to get to it and saved well after a long period of inactivity. James won the ball and played it towards Max who one-two’d with Jim. He then passed across the field to Josef who went forward before being tackled, but it was nice passing. Mark needed to be alert to push a player wide. When the ball finally did come in, Jamie was ready. Jim then tried to play Luke in but just over hit his pass. James passed to Joe, and he spread it wide for a cross from Callum but no one was able to connect with the ball. At this point, Michelle expressed surprise at how well everyone was playing. Andy admonished her for it, as he knew we could play well! The ball came forward for Joe and he turned and ran. As he neared the box, he leathered it hard and high over the out-stretched arms of the ‘keeper 1-0. James, Jim & Josef passed well, before Jim and Max combined well to get the ball forward to Joe. His shot raced across the face of the goal. James defended well, got the ball to Max and onto Joe, who won us a throw. After a great save from Jamie, Callum popped up in the opposition box but saw his shot saved.

HALF-TIME: FRYS 1 BRADLEY STOKE 0

Almost from the start, Joe got the ball, went on a great run through the middle and shot before they could tackle him 2-0. Callum then got the ball forward to Joe but their defender blocked the shot. They had a corner and our most furthest player forward was Joe on the edge of our area. The ball came to him and he ran the full length of the pitch before rifling a shot in off the upright 3-0. The ball bounced around in their area and James had a shot followed by Callum but it was just over. Joe hit in a great corner and Jim just missed getting his foot to it. At this stage there was great passing from the whole team and 100% effort in spite of the heat. Mark chased back to defend and passed well to Max. A cross from Joe just missed Jim’s head and Max’s foot. Joe played to Max whose shot was blocked. It came to Luke and his shot hit the crossbar.

FULL-TIME : FRYS 3 BRADLEY STOKE 0

Man of the Match – Chosen by Dick Burgess for excellent play – Max Stevens

OVERALL RESULT : FRYS 3 BRADLEY STOKE 0

Afterthoughts………………………………………………………………

A great team effort with the Green’s draw setting up the Yellow’s to win. The passing was sublime at times and the effort in that heat was wonderful. A great hat-trick from Joe to top it off.