ASC Strikers u11s vs Pevensey & Westham u11s: 23rd September 2012

Today's Squad Photo. The rain was quite heavy.

Our first home fixture and the heavens well and truly opened. It really is at times like this that we show our true devotion to our offspring, stood as we were in our 'Goretex' therma-dry waterproofs and 'Hunter' wellies while all they could do was moan about how wet it was out on the pitch. I tell you, if I'd heard one more complaint of 'I think I'm going to be sick!' or 'I can't feel my fingers!' I would have screamed. Kids today? Pah!

Once again the parents were able to opine on all things football with some deeply entrenched and knowledgeable observations on the current state of the British game. Among them, one of the ladies bemoaned the intricacies of zonal marking, while another put forward the notion that utilising the Loughborough Intermittent Shuttle Test (LIST) would see a marked improvement in the boys fitness levels, although it did have a drawback in that it involved minimal ball-work. Somebody also said that as the boys moved on to larger pitches, the games would be a lot more low-scoring. The blind fool.

An attempt to write up anything of significance was washed away, literally, as a months worth of rain that had been storing in the skies above emptied itself on to Buck Park and my notebook [that's how meteorology works, isn't it?]. As such, this report will probably be seen through the mists of my imagination. [Who shouted 'no change there!' at the back?]

So - turn off your mind, relax and float down stream . . . .

Could we keep Pevensey at Bay? [arf arf]. This was the question on everybody's lips and within five minutes of the kick-off we had our answer. A very slippery surface with a nasty bobble but officiated by the BEST REFEREE WE'VE EVER HAD at Buck Park saw our visitors up after 5 minutes. Don't worry, it'll be a low scoring game - plenty of time for the equaliser. ASC 0 P&W 1

Owen was getting a bit of grief from the P&W defender who thought he'd turned up for a game of rugby but the BEST REFEREE WE'VE EVER HAD was keen to keep the game flowing - and rightly so we all agreed with broad smiles on our faces.

The pressure stayed on at our end. Rhys was called into action with his head of iron [this weeks metal of choice] and saved a sure-fire goal off the line, but as P&W looked to consolidate, ASC broke away with Josh going just wide. The wet weather made sure of a fast paced game. Caldé was clean through but decided to take half the pitch with him on his shot; the keeper wasn't sure whether to pick up the ball dribbling slowly towards him or avoid the 8" clod of turf screaming at his head. P&W were a very good side, aided and abetted by a man with a foghorn screaming inanities from the touchline. Max was called into action with a couple of great defending tackles but a drop-kick into the wind allowed the boys in two shades 0' blue to stretch their lead with an easy tap-in. ASC 0 P&W 2

It would have been so easy for heads to drop but there's too much skill and pace in the side for that to happen. Bill was strong in the right back position vacated by Matt - out with a hamstring injury, but still willing to stand in the rain and cheer his mates on. Cam and Owen were getting the measure of the P&W defence and it wasn't long before a ball through to Reggie on the left corner of the box saw him shoot with precision across the face of the goal and into the top right hand corner. ASC 1 P&W 2

A minute later, Reg had scored what we thought was the equaliser but the BEST REFEREE WE'VE EVER HAD had to agree with his assistant as he ruled offside. I wasn't looking, have no knowledge or experience in officiating a game of Association Football and was standing in completely the wrong spot. But I know he was wrong. Boosted by the rank unfairness of somebody having a much better view of the defensive line than any of them, the boys pushed on and Reg shot in off the post. Honours even. ASC 2 P&W 2

We were going in having pulled things equal - or so we thought. The boys were having other ideas. Josh, with a great individual run split the defence and slotted his left foot drive past the keeper, right on the stroke of half-time as the BEST REFEREE WE'VE EVER HAD was about to blow.

Half time: ASC Strikers 3 Pevensey & Westham 2

A round of half time subs [Henry for Ryan, Sunny for Bill and Fraser for Cam] mixed things up for ASC, which seemed to confuse the opposition. Within four minutes of the re-start Owen, who'd been a real problem for the P&W back-line executed a chip of Zamora-esque proportions [check out the video below - about 0:14 secs in, but with his right foot]. Curiously, as he was about to strike, the P&W defender appeared ready to make a speech as he raucously cleared his throat. Was he trying to put our nippy winger off? Surely not! ASC  4 P&W 2

Two minutes later and it was a brace from Owen. A simple strike and the boys were cruising. It was going to be an easy victory . . . . . . wasn't it? ASC 5 P&W 2

Quietened for the minutes surrounding the interval, the noise from the touchline picked up again. As boys and parents alike looked across to see what the commotion was about, P&W sneaked in a cheeky goal to keep ASC on their toes. ASC 5 P&W 3

Three minutes later and the BEST REFEREE WE'VE EVER HAD had no choice but to award a penalty [our second in as many games!]. Once again, Joe might as well have taken the time for a quick break - them goals ain't small. ASC 5 P&W 4

Surely the comeback wasn't going to be ruined? ASC kept harrying but there were clearly nerves at play throughout the side. Even those of us who advocate the calm passing style out of defence were inwardly screaming 'GET RID OF IT!' P&W hadn't scored their openers through luck and their effort was rewarded as a combination of wet grass, poor communication and hypothermia [a heady mix] saw the second great comeback of the day. ASC 5 P&W 5

Blimey and blinkin' flip we all muttered to ourselves. Five minutes to go and they've thrown it away. As parents phoned ahead to get relatives to put their son's meals into kitchen bins and to prepare implements for beatings, Owen saved his team-mates' bacon by securing his hat-trick as the P&W defender in his wake coughed and spluttered behind. 'He's trying to put me off!' Owen shouted after his pass into the bottom left corner. I don't think so, mate - I just think you were hearing the signs of a rapidly developing chest infection. ASC 6 P&W 5

The BEST REFEREE WE'VE EVER HAD soon put everybody out of their rain-sodden misery. A hard fought game and the P&W parents were very gracious in defeat. It was a good lesson for the boys in very difficult conditions.

Our first points on the board! You can keep up with our league progress here -

http://full-time.thefa.com/Table.do?divisionseason=279027156&league=1697069 

Full time: ASC Strikers u11s 6 Pevensey & Westham 5

Forest Youth u11s v ASC Strikers u11s: Sunday 16th September 2012

The all new match report for Season 2012/13 coming to you with a snappy new title - ASC Strikers u11s - and I don't need to do two reports anymore!. We welcome some new members to the team as we go into our first competitive fixtures - things are looking good with the addition of Josh, Cameron and Owen [but whatever you do, don't clear your throat as the latter is about to strike for goal!]

On perhaps the most beautiful surface we will see all season and in the most attractive surroundings [not a pylon to be seen] ASC donned their snazzy away kit to face an old foe. Could the boys wipe away the FY Hoodoo? Would they need voodoo to wipe away the hoodoo? 

Maps and compasses were handed out to both teams to navigate the pitch. One of the boys asked if they needed to put their watch forward an hour when making a break upfront and in the first half it seemed our little men needed the security of each other with some Olympian bunching around the ball. After repeated shouts of 'SPREAD OUT!' from Matt, it was ASC who made the first foray goal-ward. Owen showed signs of things to come with a scorching shot and linked up well with Caldé to force the FY keeper into a desperate near post save. Very promising.

Of course, this is Forest Youth we're talking about and it wasn't long before they got into their stride down the left. A lovely passage of passing play saw them swing  a ball in from the left and the deftest of dinks left the keeper stranded. FY 1 ASC 0

From then, the first half evened out nicely. Solid defending [pushing] from FY kept them in front and all efforts from Owen, Josh and Reg were foiled. It seemed like a matter of time before ASC were on level terms. Some breathtaking passing between Caldé, Reg and Owen allowed Cam to connect with a sparkling through ball - just over.

FY then countered and somewhat robust ASC defending - couldn't see who by; as I said, it was a big pitch and I'd forgotten my binoculars - led to a penalty against the run of play. The goals in the u11 game are big. Joe, though quite tall, looked very small as the FY forward stepped up. FY2 ASC 0

Half time: Forest Youth 2 ASC Strikers 0

More aware of their surroundings and the dimension of the pitch, ASC came out rejuvenated [that's if 10/11 year olds can be rejuvenated?] after half time and began to turn the screw. This pressure told with a sparkling delivery from Fin, floating the ball over the advancing FY defence for Josh to calmly place over the left shoulder of the keeper. It was worth the 500 mile round trip he made from deepest Bexhill. FY2 ASC 1

This was certain to be ASC's first victory against FY. Their passing from defence into midfield was majestic. Sharpy and Ross refused to give in to the easy option of hoofing it as far forward as they could, only for it to return a few seconds later. Caldé even conjoured a left foot shot and an equaliser seemed on the cards. ASC's very own Keith Moon, Max, was calmness personified as he cleared his lines; there was no driving Rolls Royces into swimming pools from this boy today [although that is actually an urban myth].

However, as time marched on [games are now an hour long], FY continued to stifle their visitors efforts and began to find a way through, keeping ASC camped in their own half. Robust defending from Matt and Sunny kept them out and as always, Rhys and his 'Skull of Titanium' kept high balls at bay. A shot from the 'D' from Reg produced a great save and Owen and Josh continued to link up well, but as the game wore on it was clear that the elusive win was yet to be.

A fine performance in their first competitive game; certainly a shame that we couldn't break through but as we know, FY are a good team and the ASC boys can be proud of their efforts. Surely, good things are on the horizon. I don't know, I reckon we'll win next week's game against Pevensey & Westham. 6-5 I'm thinking? And it'll be flippin' POURING down. Just a hunch.

Full time: Forest Youth u11s 2 ASC Strikers u11s 1