Seagulls u10s vs ASC Strikers u10s: 25th September 2011

The ‘A’s

As John Lennon once sang

‘We're playing those mind games together,
‘Pushing barriers, planting seeds,
‘Playing the mind guerilla,
‘Chanting the Mantra peace on earth’

Wise words, mate . . . 

So as the boys waited almost FIVE minutes for kick off while Seagulls had their ‘bonding talk’, their attempt to psyche out this ASC team would prove to be somewhat . . . . futile?

Joe W.[GK], Joe G., Samuel, Ross [with a Man o’ The Match performance], Ryan, Finlay, Sunny and Caldé looked well up for the challenge as a team that is known for its ‘strength in the tackle’ attempted to make their mark on the game. The thing is, children grow and some of the big lads who were able to knock the little’uns off the ball with ease a year ago found it a completely different proposition today.

Former Seagulls player, Samuel, led the charge; his vocal style and desire for the ball always gave ASC options. Linking up with Ryan and Fin, it was a matter of time before the boys took the lead. Joe W. took on the role of sweeper a couple of times as adherence to the back-pass rule meant he had to remain cool in the face of pressurised opposition.

Fin’s nifty runs through the defence were causing a whole heap of problems and as Seagulls made another clearance they weren’t ready for Ross. Picking the ball up on the halfway line, a burgeoning run through their midfield saw him unleash an absolute BARNSTORMER of a shot and the ball ended up in the top of the Seagulls net. It was one of them goals that makes you yelp, wail and shout ‘GOOOOOOOOAL!’ like an Italian commentator; all at the same time. Breath-taking. Seagulls 0 ASC 1

The ball was regained from the kick off and Fin pinged a lovely ball through to Sam who went just wide with his attempt. Seagulls now started to return the compliment with Sunny [playing in the ‘A’s in place of Rhys] remaining solid in defence. Ross was forced into a couple of match-saving tackles and a header off the line. Seagulls were looking good; but the ASC defenders were looking better.

Our hosts were soon caught on the break and their heavy defending style [ie pole-axing your opponent] proved to be a disadvantage. A free kick picked up by Joe G. saw his shot parried into the path of a lurking Caldé. Poacher. Seagulls 0 ASC 2

Half time: Seagulls u10s 0 ASC Strikers 2

Just re-read this, and think I might be being a bit unfair to our opponents? Nah . . . .

With tails up, there was only going to be one winner today. We all got excited as Ross stepped up to take a free-kick just outside the box. Shards of plastic tubing exploded off the crossbar as the ball skimmed over. Phew. Samuel showed DeLap-like throw-in prowess which forced a corner. Fin’s angled scissor kick heaped even more pressure on the worried Seagulls defence.

You can never write-off the boys in the stripes though and Joe W. was forced to narrow the angle on more than one occasion – there was no way through for them today. Sunny and Ross kept things tight as well and a clearance from the back forced a corner; the result of which saw a 6 yard melée with Sam prodding in the third with his left peg. Washing-line. Seagulls 0 ASC 3

Not long after the re-start, Fin found himself setting up for a free kick just outside the box. He’d clearly been spending too much time watching the egg-chasers in New Zealand as the ball went over with a kick Jonny Wilkinson would’ve been proud of. No problem for our wing-wizard though as he linked up with Ross and Ryan in a spectacular move that saw the latter’s volley go just wide. Special.

As the game drew to a close, Fin went on what’s known as an ‘end-to-end run’, forcing a good save from the Seagulls keeper. The ball was returned and Ross, who is a fantastic footballer and a real asset for the team, intercepted a shot on to the post which bounced into the waiting hands of Joe W.; the final action of a comprehensive victory.

A pleasure to watch today with genuinely exciting passages of play. Absolutely marvellous stuff.

Final score: Seagulls u10s 0 ASC Strikers u10s 3

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The ‘B’s

Charlie [GK], Fraser, Henry, Max, Bill, Sharpy, Joe W., & Joe G. faced up to an actual proper ‘B’ team; a rare thing from our opponents this season [see West Hove Dynamos game next week]! This was another game where all the hard work and practice was showing dividends.

Initial exchanges were once again cagey, but Bill and Henry soon linked up to get a corner for the boys and this attack allowed them to open things up. The ball broke free and Max was called in for some death-defying defensive duties [alliteration; a magnificently, majestic, marvellous thing].

Sharpy continues in his attempts to be the Ice Man of ASC and he stopped the attack dead in their tracks with a great ball out to Max who, in turn, sent Fraser on a screaming run. Looking g-o-o-o-d.

Seagulls hadn’t just come for the fun of it though, and strong defence allowed them to put pressure on the ASC midfield. Joe G. broke away to see a shot intercepted just wide. A Seagulls attack then saw the ball collected by Charlie, who sent a beautifully paced ball out to Fraser on the wing. His deft turn and through ball into the path of a lurking Joe G. saw the diminutive Dolly P. Song Sound-alike screech off on a run and pass the ball into the opponent's onion bag. Seagulls 0 ASC 1.

Joe G. returned the compliment for Fraser just after the re-start as he threaded a ball through which the latter skimmed just wide. Seagulls were quick with the goal-kick but ASC covered back well forcing a corner. A marvellous headed clearance from Joe W. sent Fraser on another record breaking sprint who, in turn won a corner for the boys in ol’ yeller. Real end-to-end stuff.

Joe W. still thought he was in a goal as he handled a shot the Harlem Globetrotters would’ve been proud of. Joe G. then jinked through the defence again, reminiscent of a certain Mr LuaLua. Terribly, terribly exciting.

Seagulls gained another corner and the resulting pinball-like chaos saw a great save from Charlie; unfortunately, it fell to the feet of the waiting Seagulls striker. 

Half time: Seagulls 1 ASC 1

Seagulls came out the livelier in the second half, perhaps emboldened by their late first half goal. ASC remained patient and Bill played a great part in winning a free-kick just outside the right corner of the Seagulls box. A left-footer’s dream.

As Matt, parents, Hurstpierpoint College Janitors, pets, trees and half the population of West Sussex screamed ‘LET MAX TAKE IT!’, Joe W. stepped up and delivered the gentlest of chips into the hands of the keeper. This devious ploy clearly confused the poor lad because no sooner had it hit his gloves, it dropped into the goal. A veritable screamer, and a great idea not letting Max take it *ahem* . . . Seagulls 1 ASC 2

Now the pressure really began to tell as it was all ASC. A bobbly surface – perhaps it was all the D of E Award tents on it when we arrived? – claimed its next victim as a shot from Max out on the left slipped out of reach of the keeper and into the net for the inevitable winner Seagulls 1 ASC 3

Or was it inevitable? Had it not been for absolutely stalwart defending by Henry and Sharpy, and Bridcuttesque breakdown play by Joe W., it could have been so different.

What’s so great about watching the boys play is their calmness under pressure and their ability to play FOOTball. An esteemed chum of mine went to watch the ‘A’s 2-2 and ‘B’s 2-4 [grrrrr . . . don’t get me started] against West Hove Dynamos a week later; his exact words were, ‘Gosh – your lot don’t half play some decent football’. A fine tribute indeed.

Final score: Seagulls u10s 1 ASC Strikers u10s 3