Youth Reports 2015-16

6 March 2016

Northwood Reds U12s 1  Bushey Rangers Eagles 0

Due to Rayyan pulling out with an injured foot Sunday morning and Lewis Ryan unavailable this week, the back three had two new members who joined the ever-present Daniel. Ben Freeth and Ben Bamborough were asked to play in the defence and both took up the challenge with enthusiasm. George was asked to play in goal and also accepted the challenge; more on him later.

The game started with both teams playing some good passing football and there was not much in the way of chances with both defences and midfields pretty much stubbing each other out. The new back three were combining well with George was showing great confidence in goal by coming for everything in the penalty area. The midfield of Frankie, Callum, Ashley and Lewis Reid were causing all sorts of problems for the Bushey defence, and putting Joshua through on a couple of occasions where he went close.

From one of Northwood's passing moves Daniel found Joshua, who in turn put a great pass to Lewis Reid; he hit a strike with plenty of side spin which seemed to fool the Bushey keeper and the ball spun off his body into the net and it was 1-0 Northwood.

Bushey then did spark into action and had a number of successive corners that were all well defended by Northwood. Just before half-time the boys broke forward quickly and Ashley saw a dipping shot hit the bar and go over.

Half-time came quickly and the boys went in 1-0 up. I encouraged them to continue with the passing game that had seen them play so well in the first half, but warned that Bushey would be coming back strongly in the second period, for which Saihaan and Declan were introduced.

Bushey did start the second half really well putting us under pressure from the start. The boys were still trying to keep their passing game but unfortunately the Bushey players were closing them down very quickly. There were lots of Bushey attacks but our player of the match George in goal was up to everything that came his way pulling off some quite remarkable saves that kept the teams clean sheet. The rest of the team were showing the type of commitment and determination in defence that we need at this level of football. We did get a few chances in the second half, with Ashley going close again from a free kick and Joshua also having a couple of chances but the most of the half was spent defending our 1-0 lead.

The last five minutes did seem like an eternity but eventually the referee, who in my opinion had a very good game, blew the whistle for full time. I think that this is the team’s first-ever 1-0 victory and it was very satisfying – though not good for the nerves! Well done to all the boys today

Line up: George, Ben Freeth, Ben Bamborough, Daniel, Ashley Frankie, Lewis Reid, Callum Joshua, Saihaan, Declan. Player of the match: George.

Dave Blincko