Felixstowe & Walton Utd v Ransomes

The first league game of the season is upon us again. The boys have came back from the summer break more eager than ever from the summer break. During the break we have lost a few players and we've gained a few. Our new signings are Connor S, James, Alex and Cameron.

Now it's down to the business of 1st division football. There will be no easy games again this year which is how we like it. Our opening game this year is against Ransomes, who we know to be a well organised and skillful team. They were the winners of our under 9's tournament at the end of last year and beat us in the final of their own tournament the year before.

** Calling all budding photographers (anyone with a camera) We need more photos. There are a few from the B game but none from the A game. **

A Game

The squad today is- Ollie, Sam, Freddie, Will(Captain), Charlie, Matty, Connor S, Jack and Dan Hart. (Dan had to pull out of the squad due to JETLAG!! David Beckham knows exactly how he feels!)

We started with the line up who performed so brilliantly against the under 9's the week before. We knew that this would be a tougher test and we would have to play at the top of our game. Ransomes attacked straight away and Sam and Freddie knew they would be busy all game. With Will, Charlie and Matty helping out at the back we defended strongly. Ollie was on top form. None of the Ransomes players could break down our defence and I lost count of the times Sam or Freddie blocked shots at close range or of the line. unfortunately one player did break us down as Sam scuffed his clearance into the back of our net!! 0-1.

Unfortunately Will suffered a recurrence of the ankle injury he picked up whilst scoring the week before and had to come off and play no further part in the game. Jack came on and slotted into the midfield.

In the second half we were able to get forward a bit more but Connor was mainly on his own up front with two defenders next to him. Our best effort came near the end of the game when Matty beat the keeper with a great shot only to see it cleared off the line by a defender.

The game ended 0-1. Even though we were up against a better team we still didn't perform as well as we know we can. I was very pleased though with the battling and the defending, every player got stuck in, tackled hard and gave his full effort. Everything else we can work on in training.

The Man of the Match this week was Ollie. He pulled off some terrific saves, especially in the second half. I watched the game next to the Ransomes managers and they couldn't beleive that they hadn't scored.

B Game

Squad- Brandon, James, Dan F(C), Connor R, Cameron, Alex, Harley, Jo, Luke.

We had three new players and a new goalkeeper to settle in for this game. Brandon has decided he wants to be a goalkeeper and Harley is more than happy to be on the pitch. Again Ransomes poured forward from the start. James and Dan were in the thick of it straight away,blocking shots and getting in the tackles. Ransomes scored early on with a shot that managed to get over Barandon's outstretched arm and sneak in at the back post. Soon after they scored from close range after a corner.

We managed to break out of defence a few times. Harley was able to keep possession and get some lovely passes to the supporting midfielders. Ransomes shot and hit the post, their player was first to the rebound and it was 0-3. They scored again on the stroke of half time to make it 0-4.

The second half was more open as we held onto the ball a bit better but were never able to trouble their goalkeeper too much. We continued to defend well with James, Cameron and Dan working particularily hard. Luke managed to get in some timely blocks. Brandon pulled off a string of great saves and looked like he was starting to enjoy his new position. Ransomes manged 2 more goals in the second half. The last goal was the goal of the day. Their defender ran forward and hit a long range effort through the crowded box and into the top corner. 0-6.

A much improved performance all round in the second half. Again it was a very defensive performance but with plenty of good points and areas to work on in training.

Man of the Match was Cameron. Great defending and tireless running.

We are away to Kirton Kestrels next week. They now play at Coronation Drive. Entry via Mill Lane.

Harley and Connor attacking the Ransomes goal

Backs to the wall defending as James gets the ball to safety

Getting ready for a corner