29 September 2007

Friendly

NPTFC U8 Tigers 0 - U9 Tigers 6

A home fixture against the Under 8s was always going to be a keenly fought fixture. The scoreline did not reflect the effort put in by both sides. The first part of any home match is setting up the goals and the U8 parents failed the Krypton factor test of setting up the Samba goals. Luckily for the U9s we have Dr. Fraser "Stephen Hawkins" Bull who whilst working out the distortion in the space-time continum was able to put our goals up.

The match started at a frantic pace with the U9s well camped in the U8s half. The brilliance of the U8 keeper meant the score remained level for the first period of play. The U8s had a number of counter attacks and once again the U9 keeper George Neal pulled off some excellent saves to match his U8 counterpart. It was an excellent passing move between Ben Ellis and Vincent Brenkley that laid the ball at the feet of Alexander Tite which was then rifled into the top of the net. The first goal for the U9s this season. It is a credit to the coaching that the boys are playing a more controlled passing game and this was shown again in the next two goals from Ben Ellis and Vincent Brenkley, who benefited from excellent mid-field work from Toby Boak, Scott Harrison, Annie Barter and Daniel Hinde. Alex Heaton was denied a goal again -for the second time in two matches - but was solid in his role as a defensive mid-fielder.

In the last 2 quarters,"Lady of the Match" Olivia Richardson and Luke Roberts made some darting runs into the opposition half which should have resulted in a clutch of goals. Olivia with some amazing poise, balance and skill made two solo attempts on goal from deep in the U9 territory and scored both times. Many on the side line were breath taken by her awareness and clinical finishing. In the post-match interview, the managers have neither denied or agreed that scouts from other teams have been watching the U9 Tigers.

A special thank you for Dean Roberts for officiating the match and for getting shorts to replace the slightly oversized trousers sent by the kit manufacturer. If other managers are having kit size issues, we recommend Cyclo sports in the city center who have done us proud.

25 September 2007

Friendly

Netherfield Saints 9 Newport Pagnell Tigers 0

Netherfield once again did a brilliant job of hosting Newport Town with a freshly marked out pitch and general good banter between the managers. I have always found that the Netherfield Saints have made us always feel welcome at their club.

This was the first outing for the under 9 Tigers and are probably the only team outside the first to play in the new "Celtic" kit. All the boys and girls where well turned out and a big thank you goes to the parents for managing the change of venue and earlier start despite being a school and work day. The team was select without Rhys Clark, who has injured his knee - the team all wish you a speedy recovery. The rest of the team was present and correct and play started at a feverish pace with the opposition camped in the Newport half for a good portion of the first ten minutes. Despite over 10 attempts on goal, man-of-the-match George Neal kept the score sheet clean and a clever pass out on the pitch lead to Newport's first attack from Ben Ellis and Vincent Brenkley. Unfortunately, a penalty was conceeded by Newport and the opposition got on the scoresheet. Captain of the day, Olivia Richardson, was working hard to move the ball forwards to the strike force of Luke Roberts and Scott Harrison but our finishing was not quite there and we failed to penetrate their defence. A few penalites - of which George saved one - and a leaking defence left the score at 4-0 at the interval.

The second half started well for Newport with Annie Barter and Daniel Hinde combining well to thread the ball to Alex Heaton, who with a deft touch smashed the ball inches past the far post to the dismay of all the travelling fans. The mid-field of Toby Boak and Alexander Tite worked tirelessly with Ben Ellis pushing hard on any chances that came by but that was undone by a clutch of penaties awarded against us by which time the opposition had found their stride.

The evening was enjoyed by players and parents alike and was a good start to a team playing together for the first time.