10/06/2018
Felling under 13s tournament - June
The lads had their first taste of 11 a side and their first lessons to learn for September and came away with their first ever tournament win and trophy, albeit the plate trophy.
Win, lose or draw isn’t too important this summer as it’s more about fitness, learning positions and finding 2 new positions on the pitch but the lads showed their keen to learn and work for each other.
We had a bit of a tough group that ended up with all 4 finalists and learned some lessons quickly.
Game 1: Reds 1: Fishburn 0 (Ellis irwin)
Tight game - should’ve had 2 but Troy offside when Ellis and Troy went one on one with keeper.
Game 2: Reds 0 Felling 6
Stuffed by a top team - held our own for 10 mins then crumbled but 3 goals were def offside and 1 was a stunner.
Game 3: Reds 1 Milfield 2 (Jack Scotter)
Nowt in it and beaten by another offside goal in a tight game with Ellis going close twice.
Plate semis: Reds 3 Catchgate 0
Jack opened when rebound came up after Chris had gone through against keeper. Charlie scored a nice volley off a corner and I think Ellis got the 3rd. Toby should’ve had a 4th but took too long and we got cocky and nearly let catchy back in but good saves from Kieran and excellent covering from tai kept a clean sheet.
Plate final: Reds 3 Fishburn 2
Tight match against a good team. Chris opened the scoring. They equalised with a ball over the top when we played too high up the pitch. Troy made it 2 :1 with another excellent volley from a corner. Fish came back with a good goal, running down the wing and crossing to far post for a close range finish.
We came again though and a Mullen flick on out Ellis in to net the winner under the keeper.
Shades of offside but as I’d tried to explain to the lads after earlier bad decisions they even out over the games and we got that one.
Dead pleased for all the lads as all 13 got good playing time.
Kieran looked comfortable in the bigger goals but will need to learn to play higher off his line.
The defence was decent throughout with Tai learning to come over and cover, joe, Jeff, Logan and Charlie all looked good as centre backs, Jamie showed how good he’ll be once he regains his fitness.
Midfield looked a threat; Ethan was solid in the middle and dangerous on the left, Troy was full of life and back to his old self, Toby put some decent balls through and jack will always score goals. Ellis and Chris looked a good combination up front so plenty of positives.
Midfield and strikers need to learn to run into space and pass and move quicker, defence needs to push out quicker and they all need to get fitter but a good day out.
Well done to all.
