U12’s – Blues sink Pirates in all-Purley Cup clash!

Posted in U12 Blue News, Uncategorized ... December 14th, 2009

The first round of the Plate Cup matched us against our Division 4 U12 side – Purley Pirates. This was always going to be a keenly contested match, and it turned out to be one. In a fairly even first half we managed to take the only clear cut chance and be ahead 1-0. In the second half our superior attacking play helped us to sink the Pirates 4-0. The story of the game……..

In the first 20 minutes the game took place in the midfield, with lots of throw-ins and some good defending restricting the strikers from both teams. The first shot came from a Pirates midfielder from outside the box but lacked any power to trouble JC. We got our first corner after 20 mins whcih JM took but no-one in the box to get on the end of it. In 22nd minute we finally broke the deadlock. Ollie got forward from his central defender position but was tackled on edge of box. However, the ball broke kindly to Louis who shot on the turn to make it 1-0. The Pirates quickly attacked us but a good tackle on edge of our box from Ollie and clearance up field found JM, who in turn passed to James H to run clean through on goal but Pirates keeper came out quickly and dived at James H feet to make a great save. In the last few minutes before half-time the Pirates were on top and forced three corners in a row, which were cleared by us. At half-time we told the lads to keep competing, be frist to the ball,  and improve the passing and we would get our rewards. They started the second half well and forced a good save from JC low down at his feet. James H started to get a bit more of the ball and run at their defence, although it was well marshalled by an excellent peformance from ”The Tank”. However, James H got free of him in the 7th minute and from the penalty spot shot into the net for 2-0. In the 10th minute another good run from JH and cross into box, saw Louis get to the ball with their keeper, it broke free to Liam who slotted it into the corner for 3-0. A nice bithday present for his 12th birthday! The next 15 minutes produced a lot of midfield play, with Matt, Ewan and Ollie at the back snuffing out any Pirate attacks, leaving JC little to do in goal. Luke and Louis were tackling well in midfield, but we lacked some good passes to the front 2. In the 28th minute a good run from Luke ended with him being fouled just outside the box. JM stepped up and smashed the ball over the wall and into the roof of the net for a classy strike to make it 4-0. A good game ending with a Blues win, but Pirates can be proud of the way they played, especially “The Tank” at the back. Man of the match for Blues was Liam for his goal, hardwork up front, and it was his birthday!