On the 8th January our under 14s returned for their first game after the Christmas break. This game was always going to be tough as we were playing a premier division team for the first time since we formed the team in the summer. We were up against it from the go with with 3 players missing through covid or injury, but unlike the professional players we didn’t let it effect us and we went ready for the challenge ahead.
The weather was horrendous to say the least, but again the players showed great character and wanted to play the game no matter what. They went out wanting to prove a point. They wanted to show every one that they could compete against a team in the premier division and show where they want to be.
The game started and the weather was affecting the pitch straight away with players slipping and sliding in the middle from the start. The game was very even and the team were battling extremely hard in the conditions creating a few half chances, but with a mountain in Hartleys number 5 it was going to be a tough game creating chances. Hartley started to get a bit more possession in our half, but our midfield and trio of Ryan, Finn and new player Josh were working extremely hard to protect the back line. Ryan was immense in the first half breaking up play and then finding jack and Finn to move the ball forward.
Halfway through the first half the back line of Cavan, Isaac, Fraser and Tom were being tested and stand in goalkeeper Reece put their bodies on the line in a goal mouth scramble which led to Reece making a great save with his foot. Moments later Fraser had an amazing headed clearance from under the bar from a cross which was being blown all over the place. Isaac and Cavan showed great defending having to deal with their attacking player who we know very well as he trains with us on a Tuesday and Thursday in the Academy.
The half ended 0-0 and the boys had shown they deserved the right to play on the same pitch as a premier division team. We made some changes, notably Fraser going in goal as he was nursing a leg injury. Ryan came off for a 5 minute rest period along with Benji. On came Lucas and Liam. The half started much the same but with the weather getting worse. We started to get a foothold on the game and we had several opportunities to break through their defence but the very impressive number 5 was everywhere. Halfway through the second half there was a breakthrough but unfortunately it was for Hartley who went 1-0 up with a goal from Olly who pounced after a slip in the box and tapped it into the goal. With us now chasing we lost possession and Olly again picked up the ball and curled a lovely strike into the top right hand corner of the goal from the edge of the area to make it 2-0. We carried on playing the better football, especially in the conditions, but unfortunately we conceded a 3rd to make it 3-0 after trying to play out from the back. The boys didn’t let it get to them and made sure that Hartley knew they needed to work hard to keep a clean sheet.
The boys were immense and despite the goals, showed what myself and Rich already knew….They can compete with the Premier division teams and that is definitely our aim for future seasons ahead. Every week the players go out and give 110% and make it hard for us decide on Man of the Match but this week with a faultless display in front of the back was Ryan.
We move onto the next game with heads held high to local rivals Mytchett Athletic in the league.
