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.