» 09 :: Feb :: 2010

U11 Cougars Vs Athenlay FC 3-5

A new formation was nervously deployed for this game and being two goals down after 10 minutes led to thoughts it could be a mistake. However, perseverance was the key and the boys soon grew into it and began competing all over the pitch. Billy and Luke started winning a lot of their tackles and Adam was relishing in the responsibility he had at centre back. It was really refreshing to see every player on the pitch competing at the level we knew they could and for the first time in weeks, we were first to every ball.

We had soon pulled a goal back when Billy managed to score direct from a corner and this served to fuel the boys new found confidence.

Just before half time Athenlay scored a third but we all felt that the game was far from lost at the break and every player had a look of determination rather than acceptance.

The second half started well for us. Another great corner from Billy was flicked on at the near post by Joe and Matthew ran onto the ball to bravely header home.

Now the boys sensed they could get something from the game and further upped their work rate. On the occasions Athenlay did threaten, Folabi was particularly good at dealing with any threat and Mason as well, put in a lot of work.

Unfortunately, with the score 2 3 we conceded a penalty and sensed the game may now slip away from us but no, Kenny pulled off a tremendous penalty save diving low to his left. Again, the boys were spurred on and shortly after we were awarded a penalty of our own when Josiah was fouled.

Billy stepped up and equalised from the spot and now it really was game on. We continued to carve out opportunities with some good link play between Joe, Josiah and Matthew but had no luck at all in front of goal which was summed up when Luke struck the post from a well hit shot.

A couple of goals from Athenlay in the last 10 minutes wrapped the game up for them but even then, the boys did not let their heads go down and they continued to create chances right up to the final whistle.

Against a good team we had created more goal scoring opportunities and, to a man, more than matched them in terms of work rate and determination, something I have not been able to honestly claim until now this season.

Every single player played their part in a tremendous team performance and selecting a man of the match was really difficult. However, Adam really stepped up in terms of performance and responsibility and thoroughly deserved the award.

As a team, we now have a lot to live up to in terms of matching, or surpassing, this performance.

Man of the Match: Adam Baverstock

Team: K.Gillam, P. Smith, H. Neale, A. Baverstock, F. Oladusu-Giwa, R. Riordan, M. Slater, B. Iden, L. Mayers, M. Essam, T. White, J. Otchere, J. Sevenoaks