FC Lakers Tournament 2007

(Five acres, Coleford, Gloucestershire – Registration 08:30)

 

TEAM – Oliver(GK) – Charlie – Lewis – Tom H – Jack S – Ashley – Charlie - Cameron

 

Due to being bounced out of the Ashton Boys tournament at very late notice I set about getting us into another tournament to replace it – It wasn’t easy and the end result was a 80 mile round trip over the bridge to Coleford to play one year up in the U10’s comp! (Age group set as season 06/07)

 

This was no mistake ;-) I had tried to get an U9 spot but the age group was already full so if we wanted another tournament this year we had little option.

 

So at 6am we rose and by just after 7 we were hitting the road to be there in plenty of time for an 8:30 registration

 

GAME 1  -  Lydney  V  Frys (Pitch 2)

 

Just before we started the day I took time out with the boys just to remind them that we were playing a year above ourselves and only our attitude in the way we handled it was important today, of course we had an hope we could pull this rabbit out of the bag but realistically I set the team a target of finishing 4th in the league we played in with the final comments being to enjoy ourselves and to hang in there in each game no matter what.

 

With that we went out to play!

 

With not knowing what to fully expect, the boys started off a little cautious but it didn’t take long to get the break through, Charlie had put Cameron clean through on goal but as Cam knocked the ball past the keeper to go around him the keeper left a trailing leg and Cameron was up-ended giving the ref no option but to point to the spot. Cameron was given the nod to take it and he didn’t disappoint as he drove it into the top right of the net. 1-0 Frys

 

The 1st goal gave us confidence to start and play football and just a couple of minutes later we as rewarded with another goal courtesy of Lewis. 2-0 Frys

 

The 2nd goal however gave us a little to much confidence as we streamed forward continually while forgetting that we can actually concede goals too!  With a couple of near misses it was no surprise when Lydney pulled one back to give themselves some hope just as half time came. HT 2-1 Frys

 

With a quick change around I just reminded the players of our defensive responsibility. The 2nd half then kicked off and the boys stood firm as Lydney tried in vain to get level and then just when we were starting to worry Charlie was sent clear by Ashley and with no mistakes Charlie put us back firmly in control of the tie. 3-1 Frys

 

Almost as soon as Lydney restarted we were again on the attack and in the goals once more when Lewis grabbed his 2nd of the game to put us into a commanding lead. 4-1 Frys

 

Lydney again restarted showing great determination to get back in to the game and the efforts didn’t go unrewarded as they managed grab another concilation about a minute from time. FT 4-2 Frys.

 

 

 

GAME 2  -  Frys  V  Splott Albion (Pitch 6)

 

This game was simply a case of missed chances :-/  Frys had played all the football in this game only to be sucker punched by a break away goal just before the interval to leave this game  HT Frys 0-1 Splott

 

I made a couple of changes at the interval to try and  force the game and on another day we would have finished winning it 3 or 4 goals to one but this just wasn’t going to be our game. The best move of the game was when the ball was moved from left wing to right wing and back again before Ashley put a ball across the box to be met by Lewis only to see his effort come back off the post, the move itself was worthy of a goal but that’s football I guess!  FT1-0 Splott Albion (who)? :-D

 

 

 

GAME 3  -  Frys  V  Forest Rangers  (Pitch 6)

 

We had watched Forest Rangers play against Splott earlier in the day and was quite impressed with them; they seemed a strong side that could play a bit too!   Not only that, they also had a determination in every player and I have to concede this worried me!

 

I told the boys that these were the ones to beat and if we did then who knows what could happen as all the teams at that point were beating each other.

 

As the game kicked off you could see that Frys were in confident mood despite our defeat in the last game. Frys were moving the ball around well but failing to make an impression in front of goal, A fantastic keeper along with a tough tackling defender kept Forest in it by keeping Charlie, Ashley & Jack to long range efforts until again we were sucker punched by the breakaway goal midway through the 1st half.  HT 0-1 Forest Rangers.

 

The 2nd half was much the same as the 1st but again some strong arm tactics by our opts was enough to keep us at bay. Cameron who had replaced Charlie at half time had a chance to level things but the keeper somehow managed to keep it out and ultimately won them the game.  FT 0-1 Forest Rangers.

 

 

 

GAME 4  -  FC Lakers   V  Frys (Pitch 6)

 

This was our last chance to get something from the day, a win and we are still in with a shout of at least runners up spot, even a draw would still give us hope!  But a loss!!  Then we go in to our last game with only pride to play for :-/

 

I told the boys that we had deserved more from the last two games and all I wanted was the same frame of mind, I put them under no pressure and only reminded them that we as still on course for their asked for 4th place finish.

 

Frys again started this match in confident mood but unfortunately it only took a few minutes to knock it out of us L

Lakers went in front after some great play around the box which ended with their striker smashing it past a stranded Oliver in goal to put them 1-0 up.

 

At the restart I could see we were deflated and had to give words of encouragement all the way to half time and we “just” managed to get there at only 1-0 down. HT 0-1 Lakers

 

At the change over I made a double substitution to make it a basic 2-3 formation as I knew we had to score twice to even have a chance.  I gave a few more words of encouragement and just told them to get out there and give it their best, no matter what the outcome I was already pleased by the way we had handled the day so far with the last reminder being that we have been in it all the way through in each game so far, this one was no different, “so just keep at it”!

 

As the 2nd half went by you could see we was playing a dangerous formation as the Lakers missed a couple of gilt hedge chances only for Oliver to keep us in it with two fine saves, the best one being has he was diving the wrong way but somehow managed to get one of his fingers to it and prod it an “Hair’s Whisker” past his left hand post. It was a fine save and one that even Inspector Gadget himself would have been proud of J

 

However! while we were leaking chances at one end we were getting our fair share at the other, the best chance was created by Tom finding Charlie on the right wing half way line but as Charlie ran clear he seemed to get caught in 2 minds as to weather to cross or shoot and this gave the Lakers defence just enough time to get back and clear by putting it out for a corner.

Both Cameron and Lewis also went close before Lakers finally sealed it just before fulltime, Oliver was given no chance with another thunderous effort from the Lakers striker.

FT 0-2 Lakers.

 

 

 

GAME 5  -  Llanederyn Bulldogs  V  Frys (Pitch 6)

 

This was our final game and surely some luck was a little overdue!

 

We started this game much the same as the rest but this time seemed in no mood to let this one slip by, although by several missed chances later I was beginning to think it was a conspiracy! With no luck in sight the half time whistle came to leave this tie all level at (as the Americans say) “Nil all”! HT 0-0

 

At halftime I replaced Jack at the back with the resting Ashley to bolster our attack as I was confident that although the Bulldogs had one tremendously quick striker, Tom could keep it clean at the back as he’d been putting in some tough tackling himself.

 

The move was again a “master stroke” by the manager :-P as Tom Indeed kept it clear at the back and Ashley came good in stoppage time with a neat finish across the keeper and in to the roof of the net giving us a fully deserved victory. J

 

In was a great result in that this victory put the smiles firmly back on the boy’s faces. FT 1-0 Frys.

 

 

                 

 

U10’s Final Table

Team

W

L

D

F

A

P

GD

 

FC Lakers

4

0

1

8

3

13

+ 5

Forest Rangers

4

1

0

9

3

12

+ 6

Fry Club JFC  (U9’s)

2

3

0

5

6

6

- 1

Splott Albion

2

3

0

3

6

6

-3

Llanederyn Bulldogs

1

3

1

4

7

4

- 3

Lydney

0

3

2

6

10

2

- 4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Managers overall view

 

I was more than happy with today’s showing as narrow defeats against taller, stronger & more experienced opposition is surely a morale victory in its self. Before even arriving I knew it would be tough but the way we handled it was fantastic, One year may not seem a lot at junior level but at adult level you would probably have to put in 5 years of solid training to get an equivalent advantage over an equal opponent.

 

We showed tremendous character in that we never knew when we were beaten and with the exception of the last 30 seconds against the Lakers we continually competed in full belief.

 

It may seem I’m blowing a bit of a trumpet but today we were beaten by physical strength only, the football on display in this age group was being played by Frys. No disrespect to any of the other teams but sometimes we moved the ball around our opponents like they weren’t there but ultimately our main thorn was that we were about 2 inches and 10 KG short of the winners enclosure.

 

UNLUCKY LADS! But welldone all the same, One and all you played for each other and for this I am truly proud J If you can take this attitude in to the up & coming season then I’m 100% positive we will do just fine ;-)

 

 

Player of the tournament

Thomas Haynes

Tom gave 110% today and showed great courage in a couple of 50/50 moments against boys “a lot” bigger than him! I guess the Tae Kwon Do certainly helps ;-) 

 

Well done Tom, Today’s **STAR MAN**