Late extra time winner halts U12 Blues cup plate dreams!

Posted in U12 Blue News ... February 2nd, 2010

After seven weeks without a game, only one training session, and missing a couple of players, a lot of excuses could be made for our exit from the last 16 of the U12 Plate Cup at the hands of Woodley Hammers Blues from Division 5. However, there were no excuses from me, as the two teams on the day were very evenly matched and both sets of players gave a lot of effort for little reward. This was, in the main, due to two completely dominant defences, and a lack of quality attacking wise in the final third of the pitch. In the first half the only real chance fell to James Hewitt, who was put through with the keeper coming out to him at edge of box, he tried to shoot over the top of the keeper but pulled it wide of the post (Adebayor showed him how it was done the following day!).  James H proved to be our only real threat with his pace and got a lot of the ball but was always well tackled by their two central defenders.  At the other end they had half a dozen corners in the first half but only one troubled us, eventually being cleared away to safety from a ricocheted shot from the penalty spot.  In the second half there were no real chances, with both defences easily clearing up any attacks from the edge of their boxes. In the second half of extra time the only goal threat was a free kick on the edge of our box that James C in our goal managed to catch just under the crossbar. Any attacking play we had was held up by our forwards drifting offside far too often. With four minutes to go (and me planning my 5 penalty takers??) a through ball was missed for once by our central defenders and their forward toe-poked the ball past James C and into the corner of our net. At least we did not have to endure the torture of penalties, but the game probably should have ended a draw. We certainly need to improve our passing and attacking play to start winning some league games and move up the table. Outstanding performances again from Jack E and Ewan at the back, with Ewan receiving the Man of the Match award.