The 'A's
An ASC team comprising Joe W.[GK], Max B, Nathan, Fin, Rhys, Caldé, Matt W., Rhys and Fin made the epic journey to Middle Road Park to meet up with an old foe in this local derby; a team that we'd had success against but in the early exchanges had clearly improved their game. Rhys as Captain marshalled his side admirably as Caldé made the first of a number of sparkling right wing runs.
Max B.'s intelligent play allowed him to pass a through ball to Nathan who grasped the opportunity with both hands and slotted the ball into the left hand corner. An early lead. SB 0 ASC 1.
Ryan and Caldé then executed a couple of fine air-shots within thirty seconds of each other. Fin demonstrated that it's much more effective, although not as amusing, when you actually kick the ball. Shame it went over.
Rhys is now enjoying captaining a side that isn't leaking too many goals and in an effort to maintain that form he came in with what can only be described as an enthusiastic tackle on the SB's no.9. Fair play to our boy though, he was quick to offer an apologetic hand. We think it belonged to the no.9 after it had been removed during the tackle ;-)
Seagulls Blue stayed resolute and were very good in defence; their goalkeeper was having a blinder and kept the score respectable throughout the match. Caldé's touches were of the highest standard and his awareness and passing were creating real problems for the local opponents.
The SB keeper was soon called into action again. The ASC parents were jumping in the air after a screamer from Rhys that was heading into the goal, was pushed wide at the last minute. Great save.
Confidence abounded throughout the Strikers side and Matt & Phil's insistence on the passing game and looking to spread play was being put into great effect. The boys went into half-time with a deserved lead, only kept so small by the Seagulls keeper.
Half time Seagulls Blue 0 ASC 1
Whatever was said at half-time seemed to galvanise ASC even further in their desire to put the game to bed. Once again the SB keeper was put to the test as he made a double save from Ryan and Caldé. Nathan joined in the seige of the SB goal and was just wide.
It was only a matter of time before the net rippled again and Fin duly stepped up to place a precision left foot pass into the bottom right corner of the SB net. SB 0 ASC 2.
It's often said the most dangerous time to concede is after a goal and so it proved as a sleepy ASC defence let SB through for a soft goal. SB 1 ASC 2.
A wake up call for certain as this was the host's last attempt on the ASC goal. The rest of the half saw some of the best passages of play from an ASC side in recent times. Matt W.'s patient and cool defending belies his years [he attributes it to a diet of 'Cadbury's Creme Eggs' apparently], Ryan and Caldé absolutely bossed the midfield while Rhys took one in the face for the side; a boot that is - not a Creme Egg. The strikers rained shots down with the SB keeper probably taking the neutral's MoTM. Max B. even went for an overhead kick.
The final whistle blew at the end of a stunning performance in so many areas of the park from Strikers. A deserved win with some sparkling passages of play.
Full time: Seagulls Blue 1 ASC Strikers 2
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The 'B's
Alfie [GK], Fraser, Joe W., Sunny, Joe G., Tom, Bill [NLB], Max M. and Sharpy were rather unfairly accused [by me] of having a bit of a bore-draw in the last game against Seagulls u9s. It certainly wasn't the case today.
SB's no.7 showed the home team's intent with a run straight at the kick off toward the ASC goal; Alfie was more than equal to the resulting shot.
Joe G. then entered the foray with a vengeance. At one point he was thrown to the ground by an invisible force . . .
. . . but he soon began terrorising the SB goal. Cries of 'Sack the Ground Staff!' were heard as a sure fire goal was ruled out by a so-called 'nasty bobble' just before he struck the ball. The ball was last seen clearing Worthing Pier.
Minutes later, Joe G.'s stinging shot was parried by another handy SB keeper straight into the path of a waiting Tom who slotted home. Poacher. SB 0 ASC 1
Sunny came into play with a great shot after the re-start; SB ceding play very easily. He was also on hand with three - yes, three - consecutive corners. The last one was cleared to Joe G. who, with the outside of his right foot, curled a screamer into the top right-hand corner. SB 0 ASC 2
Confidence was up now and Fraser's pace began to cause problems; great link up play between him and Joe G. worried the SB backline.
However, totally against the run of play, Seagulls Blue had a rare attack and struck a lovely shot high above Alfie and on to the underside of the bar. SB 1 ASC 2
It was now Joe W.'s turn to get involved and he showed great strength with a couple of fine runs down the wing and a scintillating shot from the by-line; only just wide.
NLB employed his left foot to apply more pressure and Joe W. followed suit on the right peg with a belter from the edge of the area.
Half time Seagulls Blue 1 Strikers 2
Seagulls Blue hit back after the late first half onslaught with a solid strike against the bar and it looked as if things might get dangerous for the visitors.
NLB had other ideas though and with great vision and clinical passing put a through ball into the path of Joe G. who slammed the ball from the right across the face of the goal and into the bottom left hand corner. SB's keeper was good, but not that good. SB 1 ASC 3
The SB heads now began to drop and although they had one or two assaults on the ASC goal, the defending prowess of Sharpy and Max M. proved too much for them. Intelligent running and use of space by Joe W. distracted the SB defenders allowing NLB and Sunny the opportunity to shoot at will. Once again, the SB goalie kept things dignified for the hosts.
The full time whistle came like rain after the heatwave for SB. A fine performance from the 'B's once again proving the benefits of teamwork, passing and clinical finishing.
Final Score: Seagulls Blue 1 ASC Strikers 3
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