Another gloriously sunny Sunday for the boys; we really ought to make the most of it because it won't be long before the thermals and space blankets are required! After a week that saw the mighty Liverpool being sold to the US owners of the Boston Red Sox Baseball team, you'd be forgiven for thinking that you'd witnessed another American sport at Mowden Prep - but more of that later.
The 'A's
Joe G. [GK], Matt W., Nathan, Fin, Rhys, Callum, Ryan & Max B. made up the squad that would take on a strong Seagulls team, today performing on their home turf. The last time the teams met it was a thrilling 3:3 draw in March at Buck Park.
Strikers were given an early free kick that saw a stinging shot from Max B. just miss the target. A very organised Seagulls team then pressed hard in the early stages with a dewy pitch causing a few slips, with Matt W. making a good recovery as Seagulls crafted zippy attacks on the Strikers penalty area.
Matt & Phil's ethos of getting the boys to pass in all areas of the pitch is starting to pay dividends as defence and midfield strive to keep a cool head and pass their way out of trouble. A free kick for Seagulls from the left side of the area looked to be a real problem for the boys. The ball was hit with real ferocity toward the goal but, with a maturity belying his age, it was Rhys that got his head behind the ball to put it out for a corner. A move that received a generous round of applause from supporters on both sides; and he didn't even flinch - what a player!
This seemed to help the boys' confidence as they put moves together that threatened the Seagulls back line. Fin had a scorching run on the right wing and managed to shrug off some of the 'tough' defending that was going on. Nathan saw a shot from left wing go just wide and Callum, playing 'in the hole', was pinging through some great balls to the Strikers attack.
Seagulls weren't there just for the ride however and gave the boys a wake up call with a power strike that hit the post. Joe G. clearly had it covered though ;-).
Half time 0-0
With Strikers now playing uphill, Seagulls made the most of the slope and got in a great early strike that saw the more skilful elements of their play get a deserved reward. Some great running and passing from their players a real joy to watch and learn from. Seagulls 1 Strikers 0
The boys knuckled down to look for the equaliser and saw shots from Ryan and Fin rain down on the Seagulls goal. Fin's pace was proving a real problem for the opposition defence; it seemed their only plan of action during this time was to get physical and a lot of pulling and pushing was stopping Strikers from getting through. Unfortunately, this was neither being addressed by Seagulls' Coach or the Referee; the final straw coming when Fin was thrown in the air by a move that wouldn't have looked out of place on a Miami Dolphins pitch! Just as Strikers were preparing to take the free kick, jaws dropped all around the ground as the ball was given to the Seagulls player to take.
Unfazed by this clear injustice [don't worry, I'll be over it by next week] Strikers pushed on with renewed vigour, Rhys sending a majestic through ball that saw Fin strike the side netting. The Strikers pressure continued and it was a flash of Cruyff-like brilliance from Fin that saw him wrong foot the defender completely and drive the ball into the left hand corner of the Seagulls net. A bit like this, but with a goal at the end of it:
Seagulls 1 Strikers 1
The boys were really switched on now with some great running and a shot from Ryan that could have wrapped the game up. Seagulls are a really good side though and placed a lot of late pressure on their West Sussex visitors; Matt W.'s cool head saving the day on more than one occasion toward the close. The final action of the match saw a great save from Joe G. and as he sent one of his powerful drop kicks into the early autumn sky, the final whistle blew.
Final score: Seagulls u9s 1 ASC Strikers 1
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The 'B's
Alfie, Max M., Joe G., Joe W., Fraser, Bill, Sunny, Matt S. & Nathan [GK] saw Strikers put early pressure on the Seagulls B team. The boys had a point to prove after losing 3:0 at home in March and with Alfie playing like a 'steam train' through their midfield, early signs looked good.
Joe W. was vocal at the back and led the defence well, although goalmouth action was a bit sparse in the early exchanges.
It took a tap in from a Seagulls corner to open the game up. Seagulls 1 Strikers 0
Good defensive pressure from Strikers saw Seagulls struggling to cope with a couple of breaks and Strikers gained two corners in quick succession. This seemed to galvanize the team and Alfie, reminiscent of Paul Gascoigne in his pomp, drove through the defense for a fantastic equaliser just before half time. Seagulls 1 Strikers 1
The second half opened up with some great passing play from the boys which earned them a free kick from the right wing. Joe G.'s looping ball into the box being latched onto by Alfie who sent a precision lob on to the Seagulls bar. Max M. remained a stalwart at the back with Matt S. Sunny, at the centre of midfield, was rarely second best to any ball. Bill tried a few of his near legendary runs from defence and Joe G. sent in a stinger, despite being pulled back as he struck the ball.
Seagulls stayed cool and took heart at Strikers inability to break their defensive line. Against the run of play the Seagulls forward hit a stunning strike into the top right hand corner of the Strikers net; an adult would have had trouble getting to it - a bit like Matt had trouble getting to Rhys's left foot winner in Buck Park the day before ;-). Seagulls 2 Strikers 1
Strikers were now committed to looking for the equaliser again and a great piece of interplay between the two Joes [W. & G.] saw the latter's shot skim just wide. The Seagulls keeper had a blinder of a match and the result could have been so much different were it not for his safe hands. As the boys legs began to tire, Seagulls broke again and after a spell of pressure on the Strikers back line sealed things with a strike just before the full time whistle.
At least the boys managed to get on the scoresheet this time round and even in the aftermath of a defeat, it's good to see some of the players showing real flashes of intelligent play and flair on the ball.
Final score: Seagulls u9s 3 ASC Strikers 1
Strikers were given an early free kick that saw a stinging shot from Max B. just miss the target. A very organised Seagulls team then pressed hard in the early stages with a dewy pitch causing a few slips, with Matt W. making a good recovery as Seagulls crafted zippy attacks on the Strikers penalty area.
Matt & Phil's ethos of getting the boys to pass in all areas of the pitch is starting to pay dividends as defence and midfield strive to keep a cool head and pass their way out of trouble. A free kick for Seagulls from the left side of the area looked to be a real problem for the boys. The ball was hit with real ferocity toward the goal but, with a maturity belying his age, it was Rhys that got his head behind the ball to put it out for a corner. A move that received a generous round of applause from supporters on both sides; and he didn't even flinch - what a player!
This seemed to help the boys' confidence as they put moves together that threatened the Seagulls back line. Fin had a scorching run on the right wing and managed to shrug off some of the 'tough' defending that was going on. Nathan saw a shot from left wing go just wide and Callum, playing 'in the hole', was pinging through some great balls to the Strikers attack.
Seagulls weren't there just for the ride however and gave the boys a wake up call with a power strike that hit the post. Joe G. clearly had it covered though ;-).
Half time 0-0
With Strikers now playing uphill, Seagulls made the most of the slope and got in a great early strike that saw the more skilful elements of their play get a deserved reward. Some great running and passing from their players a real joy to watch and learn from. Seagulls 1 Strikers 0
The boys knuckled down to look for the equaliser and saw shots from Ryan and Fin rain down on the Seagulls goal. Fin's pace was proving a real problem for the opposition defence; it seemed their only plan of action during this time was to get physical and a lot of pulling and pushing was stopping Strikers from getting through. Unfortunately, this was neither being addressed by Seagulls' Coach or the Referee; the final straw coming when Fin was thrown in the air by a move that wouldn't have looked out of place on a Miami Dolphins pitch! Just as Strikers were preparing to take the free kick, jaws dropped all around the ground as the ball was given to the Seagulls player to take.
 |
| An artist's impression of Fin's 'foul' |
Unfazed by this clear injustice [don't worry, I'll be over it by next week] Strikers pushed on with renewed vigour, Rhys sending a majestic through ball that saw Fin strike the side netting. The Strikers pressure continued and it was a flash of Cruyff-like brilliance from Fin that saw him wrong foot the defender completely and drive the ball into the left hand corner of the Seagulls net. A bit like this, but with a goal at the end of it:
Seagulls 1 Strikers 1
The boys were really switched on now with some great running and a shot from Ryan that could have wrapped the game up. Seagulls are a really good side though and placed a lot of late pressure on their West Sussex visitors; Matt W.'s cool head saving the day on more than one occasion toward the close. The final action of the match saw a great save from Joe G. and as he sent one of his powerful drop kicks into the early autumn sky, the final whistle blew.
Final score: Seagulls u9s 1 ASC Strikers 1
____________________________________________________________
The 'B's
Alfie, Max M., Joe G., Joe W., Fraser, Bill, Sunny, Matt S. & Nathan [GK] saw Strikers put early pressure on the Seagulls B team. The boys had a point to prove after losing 3:0 at home in March and with Alfie playing like a 'steam train' through their midfield, early signs looked good.
Joe W. was vocal at the back and led the defence well, although goalmouth action was a bit sparse in the early exchanges.
It took a tap in from a Seagulls corner to open the game up. Seagulls 1 Strikers 0
Good defensive pressure from Strikers saw Seagulls struggling to cope with a couple of breaks and Strikers gained two corners in quick succession. This seemed to galvanize the team and Alfie, reminiscent of Paul Gascoigne in his pomp, drove through the defense for a fantastic equaliser just before half time. Seagulls 1 Strikers 1
The second half opened up with some great passing play from the boys which earned them a free kick from the right wing. Joe G.'s looping ball into the box being latched onto by Alfie who sent a precision lob on to the Seagulls bar. Max M. remained a stalwart at the back with Matt S. Sunny, at the centre of midfield, was rarely second best to any ball. Bill tried a few of his near legendary runs from defence and Joe G. sent in a stinger, despite being pulled back as he struck the ball.
Seagulls stayed cool and took heart at Strikers inability to break their defensive line. Against the run of play the Seagulls forward hit a stunning strike into the top right hand corner of the Strikers net; an adult would have had trouble getting to it - a bit like Matt had trouble getting to Rhys's left foot winner in Buck Park the day before ;-). Seagulls 2 Strikers 1
Strikers were now committed to looking for the equaliser again and a great piece of interplay between the two Joes [W. & G.] saw the latter's shot skim just wide. The Seagulls keeper had a blinder of a match and the result could have been so much different were it not for his safe hands. As the boys legs began to tire, Seagulls broke again and after a spell of pressure on the Strikers back line sealed things with a strike just before the full time whistle.
At least the boys managed to get on the scoresheet this time round and even in the aftermath of a defeat, it's good to see some of the players showing real flashes of intelligent play and flair on the ball.
Final score: Seagulls u9s 3 ASC Strikers 1
