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27 March 2008

Under 12 Surrey Primary League Division 2

Woking 0 – 7 Guildford Saints

After a tense 1-0 victory at home to Woking last week we arrived at their ground hoping

for a better performance with the squad returned to full complement. Victory here would

guarantee us the division title2 regardless of the result of the Bisley match next Sunday.

Some of us were more relaxed about our prospects than others. Keith, as the picture

shows, was more relaxed than most.

Woking were missing some defenders out on a school trip and this perhaps made life a bit

easier this week. The first five minutes though were mixed with possession swapping

regularly. Gradually opportunities opened up for us and eventually a defensive blunder

saw the ball spill to Harry on the right. Harry didn’t need to be asked twice and we were

back to the centre spot. We were looking good in midfield though still trademark

bunching and not advantaging ourselves of the width. Our second goal came when

George S. received a scrambled clearance on the left and gave it a swift conversion into

the corner. 2-0 up of course helps the nerves and we were then settling in well. Tom

Jones showed some deft control outside the box and launched a beauty over the keeper

for 3-0. We were still marvelling at it when Henry stole the thunder with a Drogba-like

receipt, turn and lobbing of the keeper quite beautifully. 4-0 which was the halftime

score. Woking had not played badly but our tails were up and we were on for it.

The second half was played if not in carnival atmosphere then certainly a lot of fun

despite the lightning and rain. Harry took his second goal sweetly after a corner scramble.

Tai, playing upfront where his heart lies, slotted in number six with a toe-poke. And to

the crowd’s pleasure Joe, desperate to get on the goalsheet, whacked another of his

specials – no danger of an Arsenal walk-into-the-net with him!

While we had six scorers all the other boys were heavy contributors to make those

opportunities. Big workload from Tom C and Andy especially.

Man of the match to Henry for some sublime stuff today. Thanks to Dan too for not only

a very solid display but also for giving Tai some ‘out’ time. And to Kevin for the lonely

vigil parading our half’s line.

Next week will be the last match before the tournaments. The champagne won’t taste

quite as good if we lose so a good night’s sleep for everyone on Saturday and

celebrations afterwards.

Gareth

24 February 2008             

Under 12 Surrey Primary League Division 2

Guildford City Strikers 5 - 0 Byfleet   

With nine matches left to play and a healthy lead at the top of division 2 this was an important match for Strikers after a three week break to see if we could keep momentum against a team currently lying third.  

The first ten minutes were scrappy from both teams with plenty of frantic booting and not much passing. Both teams had good opportunities around the fringe of the penalty box and goals could have come from either side. Gradually Strikers calmed down and took control of midfield led by Tom J. with some astute passing and silky runs. George S. was causing some trouble down the left and took one ball to the goal-line before crossing where Tommy D. converted with a fine shot that appeared to be high but dipped nicely below the crossbar. 1-0. Saints now looked settled and on form. In fact from that point Byfleet never really troubled us. Our second goal came after a good run from the right when Matt crossed to Harry who back-passed it (i.e. off his back) to George S. who shot low into the right hand corner of net. 2-0. We had at least four more chances before half-time, none converted, plus a couple of Gerrard-volleys from Joe that screamed just past the woodwork, and at half time Evan asked for a lot more goals with the benefit of the down slope.  

In the event we got three more. Tom J. after sidestepping several players scored a beauty from outside the box (just as Evan yelled ‘pass it!’). Andy scored a fine goal that some thought was a cross, but still a fine goal.  And Henry B. with another fine strike. At the other end Henry H. hadn’t been stretched but dealt competently with everything and came out of the box a couple of time to smartly deal with impending danger.  

5-0 the final score. Man of match to Tom Jones the mastermind of midfield today.  

In truth this Byfleet team were below par today, and didn’t set us too much of a test. But the goals have still got to be converted, and five without reply has got to be praised.  

Onwards and upwards (well, at least no change as leaders). Di asked me to confirm the maths on promotion, which may be a bit early with 8 matches to play but we are obviously looking good. If we win 5 of those 8 matches, and 5 of the fixtures are against the bottom four, we will get promoted regardless of other results. And of course we won’t get distracted by cup games!

 We want to win all 8 though!  Come on boys… you can do it! (Di)

3 February 2008

Under 12 Surrey Primary League Division 2

Guildford City Dynamos 1 – 2 Guildford Saints Strikers

This division 2 derby match saw top-of-the table Guildford Saints visit local rivals Guildford City. Their previous league encounter earlier this season had seen Saints take the points with a hard fought 3-1 victory.

Saints kicked off and it was clear from the start that cold weather notwithstanding this was going to be a match full of passion and hard running. The exchanges were balanced before a splendid run down the left wing and close to goal-line saw Saints cut back a ball that Harry Elphick smartly converted. 1-0 to saints. City were not fazed and came back strongly. Both sides were making good inroads on the left flanks and the play was end to end. City made the breakthrough they needed when a lovely ball to Luke Simmonds at the edge of the box saw him punch it inside the post for 1-1. As halftime approached City took the ascendancy and earned a few corners which yielded several chances but no further goals.

For ten minutes after halftime City again dominated the play, perhaps helped by the benefits of a warm dressing room for their halftime talk. Several corners again tested Saints’ defence but it held. Saints gradually brought themselves back into the match and halfway into the half a beautifully threaded ball in midfield from Thomas Jones put George Stephens clear to crack a shot past the City goalkeeper for 2-1. The rest of the match remained heavily contested though Saints had the edge and missed a couple of good chances to extend their lead.

Final score 2-1 to Saints. A terrific match to watch and credit to all the boys for the commitment and skills they showed.

20 January 2008

U-12 SPL League

Aldershot Town 0- 3 Guildford Saints Strikers

Conditions were good today and Aldershot’s pitch was fine despite the midweek rain. We needed to regain our form after a poor performance last week in the Cup against Haslemere.

From the kickoff we started brightly with a good opportunity in the first five minutes blocked by Aldershot’s goalie, a mark of the class he was to show through the match. Aldershot were struggling to keep the ball in midfield in the face of our determination and good ball skills. Several waves of attack followed until a header from George S. deep on the left found a couple of our players in the box and Tommy converted to open the scoring. Our domination continued and Aldershot struggled to get close to our box, not troubling Tai at all. Eventually the second goal came when after a piercing run by Harry (unusually on the left) he crossed from close to the goal line. The goalie could only get a deflection and Andy stepped in to make no mistake. Aldershot then had their best period of the game and had good possession yet didn’t really come close to converting. 2-0 was the half time score after a period where were as dominant as we have been all season. A good response by the boys after the disappointment of last week.

The second half saw us not quite as sharp. The ref awarded us a penalty then thought better of it. Aldershot didn’t really trouble us though 2-0 is always still open. Their goalie read our long balls well and was off his line to clear several times. Brandon took a good shot from inside the box but their goalie was up to it. Close to full time Harry chased a ball down on the right and fed to George S. who neatly sidestepped the keeper and was brought down in a slam dunk penalty. At least it would have been had the ref not played advantage well and allowed the ball to slip to Henry who put it in the net. 3-0.

Man of the match to Tom Jones for a great first half in particular. A very good showing by Matt also.

So an excellent game that saw us retain our leading position. Evan felt we could play wider and are too left-centric, a point for next time. Next week at home to Walton and Hersham followed by an away match at Guildford City - that should be a cracker!

Gareth

18 November 2007

A cold but dry morning at Knaphill for this match which if we won would set us up nicely for the battle with Bisley next week.

A good turnout from the squad with just Tai out and Henry H. taking his place between the posts.

We got off to a confident start and were all over Knaphill in the first ten minutes. Knaphill rarely got past the halfway line and then only for a couple of yards. Yet we couldn’t convert. Knaphill came back, there was a lot of bogged-down ball in midfield and a couple of good chances for Knaphill had us thinking this could be a tough one after all.

With nerves starting to jangle Joe settled us down with an opening Gerrard-like captain’s goal from outside the box. A few minutes later Harry flexed those growing shoulders to shrug off defenders in a run that saw him slot past the keeper for 2-0. That was the halftime score.

We had our tails up right from the start of the second half. Early on George S. left his markers and seemed to toy with the ball before punching it past the keeper. 3-0. By now we were in our stride and enjoying ourselves. Dan was getting through midfield as if the ball was tied to his ankles. Greg was making his mark on the right and one cross came perfectly to two of our men with George S. making the simple conversion. 4-0. Harry converted a clean chip for 5-0. And number six came when Joe, showing his yearning to be a winger despite being priceless as a defender, took on their flanks on the left and crossed to Henry who needed one touch to slot the goal home.

A strong performance though still room for improvement against a team that could have lost by more. A lot of bunching still and not enough use of width. Time to correct that for the big one next week against Bisley. Man of match to Tom Jones for his intelligent mastery of midfield. And a special mention to Andrew who showed good speed in clearing a few dangerous attacks.

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7 October 2007            

Guildford Saints Strikers 3-1 Guildford City Dynamites    

One of the more eagerly awaited matches of the season today. Saints have a great track record against Guildford City, latterly of the first division. As with all good derbies, there was some extra spice in this match, and it did not disappoint with plenty of needle and a fine win.

But the first 15 minutes saw Saints under siege. City absolutely bossed midfield and we spent the whole time in our own half. Tai in goal must have thought of asking for extra pay with the amount of work he had to do, and he dealt with every ball confidently. His booming clearance kicks soared to the halfway line but every time found their way back for another City sortie. Our defence was robust, if stretched. George Cairns’ head was put to good use in clearing ball after ball to touch. Eventually Saints found their rhythm and started to take the game to City. New boy Rob made his presence felt and we put a few sequences together. From an attack on the left of the box George Stephens drilled a low hard shot into keeper and goal. 1-0 and much celebration after a torrid start to the match. Unsurprisingly City fought back and it wasn’t long before they got the ball in the back of the net. But it was via an offside pass and the celebrations quickly morphed to complaints and catcalls. In the event the officials were fully vindicated by the video replays. Halftime beckoned but not before one of the City defenders blocked a cross into his net giving his goalie no chance. A priceless second goal and 2-0 at halftime. Evan praised the team but asked for yet more effort as it wasn’t going to get any easier in the second half.

And it certainly didn’t get any slower, there were more ruddy faces than we’ve ever seen by the end. But it did getter better, with Saints stringing together some beautiful passes to show us how the game should be played. The injured Tom Jones put in a short cameo appearance and made a big impact before having to be wrestled back to the bench for the sake of his leg. Every ball was chased as if the match depended on it. Dan showed commitment and spirit of a Joe Richards-like level. He hit the deck on a tackle and got straight back up to retrieve the ball. He later put a run together at the edge of the box that was reminiscent of those one man bands with harmonica guitar and drums on his back, beating about twelve men since most of them had multiple attempts to tackle him. But it was our turn to be frustrated in front of goal with none of our chances converted. And, as so often in these circumstances, City pounced and scored a fine goal after our defence wobbled. Di stared at her nails and they winced at the inevitable biting that was coming. But no – straight after the restart George Stephens took the ball up the wing and punched the ball just inside the post. The 2 goal lead restored, the remaining 6 minutes were not comfortable but we saw them through safely for what must be the hardest fought match the Saints have been in.

So 3-1 the final score. Dan took the man of the match but in truth there were so many boys that played well. And a special well done to Tai who was as solid as a rock in goal.

Well done boys!