Whitton Sports Centre 28th March 2009

When we played this team earlier in the season we squandered a 2 goal lead to draw 2-2. We new they were a strong tackling team but if we again played to our strengths we should be able to pass our way around them. That was the plan!!!



We lined up- Ollie S in goal, Connor S in defence, Freddie, Sam & Ollie M in midfield, Jack and Will up front. Dash & Charlie B on the bench.



The game started at a furious pace, I think the boys were all just trying to get themselves warm. It was cold, wet and windy. A horrible day. We settled quicker and began playing the passing and moving game I constantly bang on about!! Freddie and Jack on the left combined superbly and played some lovely one twos that opened up the defence and we were unlucky not to score a couple of them. The Whitton assistant manager was very impressed!! We opened the scoring when again Freddie and Jack combined well on the left and won us a corner. Ollie whipped the ball in to the crowded box, it broke loose and Jack finished well on the volley. 1-0.

The game flowed back and forth with Ollie S pulling of a couple of good saves. Just on the stroke of half-time he hit a goal kick streight to their striker who ran through and scored. 1-1 the half-time score.



From the kick off we powered forward. The introduction of Charlie B in the middle gave us a bit more attacking power and led us to win a corner after a coulpe of minutes. Charlie sent in a superb corner which was scored powerfully by Will. 2-1.



Whitton continued to look dangerous but we held them off. Freddie won the ball on the halfway line and made a powerful run down the left skipping past several desperate lunges before passing to Will at the back post to score his second and our third. 3-1. at last a little bit of breathing space.

Within a few minutes we had won another corner. Again Charlie sent in a superb cross, Will powered in at the back post and (from what I could see) chested it in. Whitton claimed handball but the Whitton assisstant manager signalled that it was a good goal.

Will had complated a superb hat-trick. 4-1



By this time the freezing rain and my numb hands made it impossible to make even my sparse notes. Jack scored his second of the game to make it 5-1.



Then came the moment no one expected. We are very proud that every one of our outfield players has managed to score this season. The only players who haven't scored are our two goalkeepers. Not any more. In the dying moments of the game Ollie kicked the ball high into the opposition penalty box, Jack tried to head it in but the keeper dive forward and knocked him away from the ball. This would have been a penalty had the ball not bounced over both of them and into the net for Ollie to score. 6-1 was the final score.



Another great performance. Man of the match was hat-trick hero Will o Maley for a strong all round performance as well as the goals. A special mention to Freddie and Jack who's use of the ball and space was a joy to watch.



B Game



The line up was Harley in goal, Kyle in defence, Curtis, Cammy & Alex in midfield, Nat and Jake up front. Dan and Charlie W on the bench.



By the time this game had started everyone was feeling the cold. After the glorious sunshine the previous weeks we had a job to keep warm. The boys soon found their stride and were stroking tha ball around confidently. Unfortunately a mix up at the back allowed Whitton to score an easy gifted goal. Kyle with the ball at his feet stepped aside to allow Harley to pick it up. Harley along with everyone else assumed he was about to hoof it clear. The striker couldn't believe his luck. 0-1



We responded in the best possible way and went on the attack. Jake picked up the ball outside their box on the left and muscled his way into a shooting position. He finished it superbly into the bottom corner at the back post.

Harley pulled a couple of great saves which kept us in the game.

Cammy fired home soon after to give us a 2-1 lead at half-time.



With only one goal in it we needed agood start to the second half. Whitton were fired up and both teams battled well all over the pitch. Kyle was strong an reliable at the back and was now playing on the right wing. Dan took over the defensive position and played well, breaking down their attacks. Dan tackled well in the middle of the pitch then played a lovely through ball into the path of Charlie, unfortunately the defender was too quick and got back to tackle. shortly after charlie received the ball in the box and cooly slotted it past the oncoming keeper to make it 3-1.



Jake got his second to make it 4-1 and give us a comfortable 3 goal cushion.

Cammy knocked in his second of the game to make the final score 5-1.



Another great performance from the B's who have been stringing together some lovely football and banging in the goals.
Choosing Man of the match is very difficult as there were so many good performances all over the pitch. I'm giving it to Jake. His feisty performance got us back in the game. He battled tirelessly up front and had a great game. A special mention to basically everyone else especially Curtis and Alex on the wings. They both covered a lot of ground helping out in attack and defence with both of them putting in some great crosses.

There were a lot of highpoints from both games. Two great team performances, loads of great goals and two good wins. The highest point however was right at the end when I was cold, damp and numb, tucking into one of Alex's birthday doughnuts was a little slice of heaven!! I've never enjoyed a doughnut as much in my life!! :-)

11 a side Friendly v East Bergholt 21st March 2009

From a squad of 21 players we only had 13 available on the day. This meant that all the players had a lot of work to get through and a lot of football to play. We received no complaints!!

The line up was-

Goalkeeper- Ollie S
Defence- Sam, Will & Connor S
Midfield- Freddie, Curtis, Charlie, Keiran & Ollie M
Strikers- Dash & Matty
Subs- Kyle & Nat

I don't think we've ever beaten East Bergholt and they've always been hard fought games.
We started very brightly, we had stressed to all the players what was expected of them and to use the width of the pitch. For the first 20 minutes every player stuck to his job superbly. Ollie was fairly quiet for most of the half as our defence coped brilliantly with everything thrown at them, Sam and Connor picked up the strikers with Will on hand to sweep up behind them.
Charlie battled well in the centre of the pitch, winning crucial tackles allowing the players around him to use the ball. Keiran carried out his instructions superbly, playing lovely simple passes wide, allowing Ollie Mac plenty of the ball. Right in front of our fans who wee impressed with his performance. The only thing missing was the finished product. We need to use the possession to get the ball into the box more. The linking play was not as fluent on the left as Curtis settled in to a brand new position. when he and Freddie did link they more often than not managed to get the ball forward into dangerous positions. Dash and Matty worked hard up front, both players have been working on their first touches and this was evident from the amount of possession they had. Kyle and Nat were introduced during the half as we rotated the players and settled in well.

For the last 10 minutes of the half we seemed to forget to use the width and ended up in a slogging match in the middle of the pitch.

East Bergholt were also playing well so the score remained 0-0 at half time.

We started brightly in the second half, the boys were clearly relishing the bigger game. Once again we played to our strengths and began using our passing and moving game to good use. We came close to opening the scoring on a couple of occassions. Bergholt also pushed forward and there was a moment of controversy when a brief lapse in concentration allowed their striker through on goal. Ollie waited a fraction too long before deciding to come off his line, he ended up trying to tackle the player outside the box and hit him with a late challenge, flattening him. In a league game he would have been sent off!! Luckily the striker recovered and they fluffed the free kick.
A few minutes later after another scrummage in front of their goal they managed to clear to the edge of the box where Freddie let loose a first time shot. The keeper managed to save it but not hold it. Nat Was there in the right position to fire it into the roof of the net. 1-0

After the goal we never looked back. The Bergholt strikers just couldn't get past our defence, our midfielders were stroking the ball around and our strikers always looked dangerous. we got our reward when Keiran's shot was dropped by the keeper and Matty pounced to poke it home.

Soon after Matty got his second when Dash made a great run into the box and squared the ball for his strike partner to finish well. 3-0

This was the final score and a well deserved win. Overall we performed very well. The Berholt manager texted me afterwards and congratulated the boys on a superb performance, he thought our passing and movement was "something to aspire to" A lovely compliment.

On a team performance like this there can be no man of the match. every player did the job he was set and every player can be very proud of the performance.

Framlingham Town 7th March 2009

The line up was Ollie S in goal, Sam in defence, Freddie, Charlie B and Keiran in midfield, Dash and Matty up front. Jack and Connor S on the bench.

This was a much improved performance from last week. We battled well from the kick off and looked organised and hungry. Framlingham were also up for the game and it proved to be a very equal clash. Both teams attacked in numbers and defended well. Even tthough the end result was 0-0, it was an exciting game and well played.

Ollie made a few great saves and Sam was strong in defence. The midfielders battled well and created a lot of supply to the strikers. Unfortunately both Matty and Dash struggled with their first touch and were losing the ball far too easily. A definate training need here. On another day had they controlled even half of the passes they might have notched a couple of goals between them.

On balance 0-0 was the fairest result. neither team deserved to lose this one.

Unusually we have now gone two games without scoring!!

Man of the Match was Ollie Spink. He made some great saves that kept us in the game. A special mention the the midfielders who played very well as a unit.

B Game

The B's lost 3-1 to Framlinham earlier in the season so we knew we were in for a tough match.

We lined up- Harley in goal, Cammy in defence, Curtis, Ollie M & Alex in midfield, Nat & Jake up front. Dan, Connor R & Charlie W on the bench.

Once again the B's started well and played like a team, using the width of the park and puting together some lovely passes. Our movement was superb and Framlingham found it difficult to keep up with us.
We took the lead after 7 minutes when Nat finished well. 1-0.
Nat got the second after 16 minutes after we put Fram under a lot of pressure. 2-0.
With two minutes left of the half Ollie scored to make it 3-0. A nice cushion to take into the second half.
Nat had other ideas and scored again a minute later to round of a superb hat-trick and give us a 4 goal lead at half-time.

We continued to dominate in the second half keeping the Framlingham attacks to a minimum. unfortunately during one of their rare attacks Harley dropped an easy ball allowing their striker to score. To be fair to Harley he hadn't had much to do up to that point so was a little bit rusty!!

A few minutes later We restored our 4 goal cushion when Alex swung in a well taken corner which was finished well by Charlie W. 5-1

Three minutes later Charlie blasted home from just inside the box to make it 6-1
With seconds on the clock Charlie completed a superb second half hat-trick to make the final score 7-1.

Another great team performance from the B's and a well deserved win. not one but two hat-tricks from Nat and Charlie.

Man of the match was easy to pick today, although he did everything but score Curtis was involved in everything today, setting up attacks, making runs down the wing and defending like a demon. A great performance.

Wickham Market 28th February 2009

This one goes down as a bad day at the office!!

The line up was - Ollie S in goal, Sam in defence, Jack, Curtis, Will in midfield, Dash & Freddie up front. Keiran and Curtis on the bench.

We started off playing at a snails pace across the middle of the pitch and paid the price for it. From the kick off Wickhams midfielders were all over ours winning every ball and looking like they wanted it. Within a few minutes we had a lucky escape when they hit the post and Ollie caught the rebound. Unfortunately this wasn't enough to wake us up and they drove forward again. Sam was left exposed when Wickham were allowed to cross unhindered, Ollie got his hand to the ball but it dropped kindly to their striker who had an easy tap in to an empty net.

A very disappointing start. It took us another 10 minutes before we actually started to look like we wanted to play a game. When we finally started to get the ball through to the strikers we looked dangerous. Freddie and Dash linked well. Freddie was able to get the ball across to Dash several times but each time the shot was narrowly wide or the keeper made a good save. at the end of the half Dash collided with the keeper and was unable to play in the second half.

From the kick off we stormed forward and spent the rest of the game camped in their third of the pitch. Freddie and Curtis carried on from where Dash left off and came very close to scoring but not quite getting there. Freddie hit the post and had a shot cleared off the line after blasting it from the edge of the box through the keepers legs.

Wickham defended very well and had all of their players in their box for the whole of the half. Their keeper played out of his skin and through pure determination hung on to their 1-0 victory. Their manager was understandably ecstatic and couldn't beleive they had hung on for the win.

Man of the match was Sam Bilton. He defended well and was a one man team in the first 15 minutes.

B Game

We lined up- Alex in goal, Kyle in defence, Dan, Cammy, Ollie M in midfield, Nat and Jake up front. Connor R & Charlie W on the bench.

Still reeling from the first game it didn't take long for the B's to put a smile on my face as they started the game looking like they wanted it. (and possibly to avoid receiving the same rocket I gave the A's :-) ) We used the width of the pitch well and passed the ball around with style. We were rewarded after 6 minutes when Nat played a good pass through to Ollie Mac who finished well to make it 1-0.

A few minutes later the ball was cleared out of their box Cammy met it and smacked it first time into the top corner. An absolute stunner!! 2-0.

Wickham kicked off, we won the ball straight away and the next thing I saw was Nat cooly rounding the keeper to make it 3-0. Three goals in 4 minutes.

Within two minutes Ollie returned the favour and set Nat up for his second goal. 4-0.

Again we won the ball straight from kick off and Jake finished well to make it 5-0!

Jake finished off the half with his second to make it 6-0 at half time. A brilliant half of football. Alex was strong and confident in goal and his kicking from the ground and from his hands was excellent. Dan Cammy and Ollie worked hard in midfield and provided plenty of ammunition for the strikers to work on. Any thing that got past them was met by Kyle who was having his best game of the season.

Wickham didn't give up and pulled one back after half time. Charlie W finished well to restore our 6 goal cushion. 7-1.

We continued to dominate but again Wickham fought well and scored a second. 7-2.

We pushed forward at every opportunity. Wickham were much better in this half making it a more even game. We finished it off when Dan shot past the keeper to make the final score 8-2.

A great game and a well deserved win.

Man of the Match went to Kyle Smith. Despite the goals flying in he kept us safe at the back allowing the rest of the team to storm forward.

Martlesham 11 a side Friendly 21st February 2009

This was another 11 a side friendly split into three seperate mini games. The third game was in doubt as Martlesham were down to just the bare 11 players after some late call offs. Lukr their manager thought they might be too tired to play 3 games but in the end was out-voted by player power!! The third game went ahead.

A Game

Goalkeeper: Ollie S
Defence: Dan, Will, Kyle
Midfield: Freddie, Jack, Charlie B, Keiran, Ollie M
Strikers: Dash, Matty

This was a hard fought battle between two very evenly matched teams. it could have gone either way and had everything except goals.
In the end 0-0 was the fairest result.

B Game

Goalkeeper: Ollie S
Defence: Jack, Kyle, Connor R
Midfield: Curtis, Freddie, Charlie B, Charlie W, Alex
Strikers: Nat, Jake

Another very evenly matched game. Martlesham managed to break the deadlock and ended up winning 1-0.

C Game

Goalkeeper: Ollie S
Defence: Dan, Will, Connor R
Midfield: Curtis, Nat, Keiran, Ollie M, Alex
Strikers: Dash, Matty

Subs; Anyone left on the touchline.

Martlesham had played two hard games and were starting to look tired, especially towards the end of the game. Their keeper had to go so Kyle volunteered to go in goals for them.

Curtis scored our first after just 3 minutes.Will added a second from the spot after Matty was brought down in the box. curtis got his second to make the half-time score 3-0. it could have been more but Kyle was playing well in goal.

Martlesham pulled one back after half time.

Matty linked well with Jake to make it 4-1.
Keiran headed in Freddie's corner 5-1.
dash hit a good shot which Kyle saved only for Matty to pounce on the rebound 6-1.
Martlesham didn't give up and got a second. 6-2.
Freddie added to our tally with a lob over Kyles head 7-2.
Dash finished off the game with a shot that Kyle couldn't stop to make the final score 8-2.
A good performance overall. Tired legs in the Martlesham camp contributed to the scoreline but the lads on both teams enjoyed the games and it was smiles all round at the end.

AFC Kesgrave B 7th February 2009

This alas was the end of the road for the B teams glorious cup run. Well beaten by a better team. The scoreline however did not reflect the bulk of the game. The final score was 8-0 which suggests a walkover but at half-time it was only 2-0 and we had missed several golden chances which on another day might have gone in.

We lined up- Harley in goal, Cammy in defence, Curtis, Keiran and Alex in midfield, Nat and Jake up front. Charlie W on the bench.

For half the game we gave Kesgrave a run for their money. Cammy was excellent in defence, Keiran battled well in the middle of the pitch and little Jake was a terrier up front. Curtis enjoyed his best performance since joining the team on the left and was matched by Alex on the right. We practised runs an dcrosses before the game and both wingers got a few in during the game. Nat got stuck in in his usual fashion and was unlucky not to get a few goals in the end. Charlie came on at half time and gave it his all.

Kesgrave however also played well and were just too strong. Harley had made a couple of saves but hesitated on his line when he could have stepped forward to pick up the ball. this allowed the striker to pass the ball across the front of the goal. Keiran did well to beat the other striker to the ball, unfortunately he scored the goal for him!!

We continue to battle well but in the second half seemed to run out of steam and lost 4 goals in quick succession which finished us off. In the end it was 8-0 but the lads can hold their heads up as they did everything except score.

Whitton Utd 11 a side friendly 31st January 2009

As this was a friendly we decided to play it as 3 seperate mini games. This gave us a chance to play an A and B game an mix things up for the C game. Everyone got plenty of time on the pitch to get used to the bigger game.

It was great to see the lads settle in to it and adapt brilliantly, a special mention to all the strikers who had the toughest learning curve dealing with the offside rules.

Once again having been snowed under at work I'm writing several match reports in one go!! They will have to be shorter than normal but i'll try to fill in as much as I remember, despite my legendary unreliability in the memory department !!! If I miss anything out or get something wrong please use the comments box to correct me.

*** I can't remember who got man of the match in some of the games. I need some help here, don't be shy in letting me know!!****

A Game

Goalkeeper: Ollie S
Defence: Sam, Will, Connor S
Midfield: Freddie, Jack, Charlie B, Keiran, Ollie M
Strikers: Dash, Matty

A great free flowing game. We attacked well and supported the front men in numbers. although we were playing on a bigger pitch we didn't use the wide men enough and at times Jack, Charlie and Keiran found themselves bogged down in scrappy middle of the pitch battles. Whenever Ollie or Freddie were brought in to the game we were able to sweep forward and cause problems.

Dash and Matty took a bit of time adjusting to the offside rule but by the second half they were getting the hang of it and were able to check their position and remain within the rules. This lead to Dash getting a hat-trick and Matty narrowly missing out with 2 goals to his name. Charlie B got the other in our 6-1 victory.
We were strong at the back. Sam and Connor S marked the strikers whilst Will swept behind them keeping Whittons chances to a minimum. Ollie was able to handle everything except the goal which was a rocket from outside the box.

Final score 6-1

B Game

Goalkeeper: Ollie s
Defence: Dan, Kyle, Sam
Midfield: Alex, Jack, Cam, Will, Charlie W
Strikers: Nat & Jake

This is the line up I have on my sheet. I realised just before kickoff that Nat wasn't available. As Sam was now the only outfield player in the whole squad without a goal I decided to pile the pressure on him and stuck him up front. I have no idea who was drafted into replace him!!
Within the first minute Sam had surged forward and banged in his first of the season. Every player apart from our keepers have now scored. A great acheivement for the squad.
Sam hit the target soon after but was adjudged offside. Jake fired home a low shot into the bottom corner to give us a two goal lead.
Whitton managed to pull one back late in the game but we hung on for a 2-1 win. Once again the lads who played adjusted well to the bigger pitch and deserved the win.

C Game

Goalkeeper: Ollie S
Defence: Alex, Connor, Cam
Midfield: Freddie, Nat, Charlie B, Keiran, Ollie M
Strikers: Dash, Matty
Subs: Jake, Dan, Kyle, Charlie W

We dominated this game from the start. I can't remember too many of the details but Dash added two more goals to his tally and Connor S got the third (possibly a penalty) to make it 3-0.


Overall a very enjoyable set of games and a nice introduction to 11 a side football.