Ipswich Valley Rangers 11 a side Friendly 16th April 2009

Ipswich Valley Rangers (IVR) play in the 11 a side Sunday league. They have just won division two and still have three games to play. They've won 14, drawn 1 and lost 0 in the league. They were narrowly knocked out of the cup in the semi final after a 4-4 thriller in extra time against first division opposition. Basically they have had a terrific season so this would be a real test for our 11 a side newbies.
As Freddie plays for both teams he opted to play a stint for both teams so as not to split his loyalties. New signing Matty Gifkin opted to do the same. both boys started for IVR and finished for us.
Our squad also contained a couple of potential new signings trialling for us.

The game was played in three 20 minute sections to help the managers on both teams with the multiple substitutions.

We started very well and had IVR under the cosh straight away. Any attacks they tried to get going were dealt with well by our defence. We created some great chances and the IVR keeper pulled off a series of wonder saves to keep his team in the game. The first section finished and I was aware that we had missed our chance to impose on the game as IVR had a number of quality players on the bench poised to spring into action.
The second section was played at a high tempo. IVR had the better of this one and took the lead. Typically it was Freddie who won the ball, took it down the wing and sent a cross into the box, it was flicked on to Georgi Thrower who scored. Some of you may remember him from the Wickham Market tournament last year. At least then he was scoring for us!!!!
IVR continued to dominate and scored a second when their right midfielder passed into the middle of our box. The first IVR player cleverly jumped over it, completely catching our defence off guard as it rolled on to Damian Pearson who flicked it from one foot to another and banged it passed Ollie (Damian also played for us at Wickham and like Matty G will be joining us for next season) I have to mention that Freddie was playing out of his skin. He was tackling and breaking down attacks and pressing forward on the wing, skinning defenders and putting in great crosses. I mention this because he was playing against us!!!!!!
There were more multiple substitutions for the third section. Freddie and Matty G (who also played well for us at Wickham) swapped teams, Matty slotted into the left back position and was solid and assured as he has been all season.
This section was the most even as both teams battled in the fading light, we got our reward when Sam fired home to make the final score 2-1 to IVR.

All things considered we played well against a team who have had a full season of playing 11 a side. We matched them all over the pitch and but for their goalkeeper might have got more out of the game. The IVR coaches were full of praise which I think was well deserved.
I have since spoken to a couple of IVR parents who were very impressed with our boys and couldn't believe that they hadn't played many 11 a side games.

The weather by the way was dreadful!! The rain got heavier and heavier as the game went on and everyone was soaked to the skin!! Proper football weather leading to an unpleasant drive home!!