Our last home of the season, it only seems five minutes from the first match. The boys are 6 points clear at the top and another win today would leave them only needing one more win from the next 3 games to clinch the Yellow Division title.

This week we only had one sub, as Faud & Jamie were out injured and Zach was ill. Blair came back into the centre of defence and Kyle played in Midfield.

Lewis lost the toss so we kicked off against the wind kicking slightly up hill. As usual we started slowly and Riverside were competing very well. The opposition all seem to up there game when they play the league leaders. There were not many clear cut chances in the first 15 minutes our passing was just a little but off, we were not finding the pass or it was hitting a Riverside player. Riverside forced a few corners and had a good strike for outside the box that just cleared the bar.

The game was now fairly stretched although only 20 minutes had gone. We had a corner from the left side that had the Riverside defence in a panic the ball cleared everyone and fell to close to Owen who could not make contact from an acute angle and ball went out for a goal kick. Riverside were winning a lot of ball and had one excellent break out, the attacker took the ball clear of our defence and played it through the middle, Harry timed his rush out from goal well, but the ball was slide past him and looked to be a certain goal, however Owen and kept running and some how managed to slide in and clear the ball off the goal line for a corner.  Brandon took a knock on the knee and was replaced by Alex.

At half time Kyle came off and Ahrmed went into Midfield with Alex going up front. We asked the boys to up the tempo of the passing and win more ball. We started much better and immediately Riverside were under more pressure. Matthew had a good shot saved by the keeper and Daniel shot wide from a good chance when under pressure from the defender. We were playing better, but Riverside were dangerous on the attack as we were committing to many players forward. On one occasion the ball broke from the Riverside penalty area and Daniel chased the attacker all the way to our area, Harry narrowed the angle well and the shot was luckily straight at him and he saved it well.

We went back on the attack, it could be another Croxley match, when we just could not score and missed a hat full and chances. We dominated possession; even Blair was joining the midfield and attack. Ahrmed shot wide when well placed, Alex and Daniel both had half chances and from several corners we could not find a way through. Matthew switched over to the right hand side and had the beating of the full back cutting in side put we could not find the final pass. Brandon was brought down in box by the keeper but the ball had gone out for the throw in.

With only 10 minutes left Daniel and another good opening but shot over the bar. The clock was running down with 5 minutes left Matthew passed into Ahrmed who cross well into the six yard box and there was Brandon who slide in and lifted the ball over the keeper and into the net. The boys all cheered as they knew this was an important goal.

We then created another two chances but did not take them, so the last 2 minutes were a little tense, but the boys held out well for a well earned win.

They all played very well and tired to play football throughout the match, one more win and the title will be there’s.

Regards

Chris 

Man of the Match: Owen Bloomfield for a great goal line clearance in the 1^st half followed closely by Brandon, who took a few knocks but came back on to score the winning goal and Blair also had an excellent game.

Skill of the Match: This week’s winner is Daniel for one piece of great skill with side flick pass and for several incredible dribbles and one with only one boot on.

After the Easter break we were away against AEK. The pitch was incredibly large, very wide, the grass was very long, and the wind was quite strong, the goals were the correct dimensions. We had 12 players today.

We told the boys to try and put more on the passers as the ball was sticking in the long grass.

We kicked off with the wind, but it did not seem to make much of a difference. AEK had obviously improved from the first meeting and recently had a good draw against Croxley red. They had several very large U11 compared to our small team. The boys were losing out again in the physical battle. We were slow starting and not moving the ball quick enough and getting knocked off the ball to easily all over the pitch. AEK were very direct and through balls were catching us out. This seems to be our major defensive problem and we must improve this aspect of our game. Only a great double save by Harry from a through ball kept the scores level, he blocked well the first shot and then caught the rebound very well.

However, very soon we were 1 nil down. One of our other weaknesses, “communication” came back to haunt us again. The ball dropped in the middle of our defence and one of three players could have cleared the ball, two decided to try and kick the ball at the same time and probably kicked each other leaving the AEK centre forward with the ball who ran on to fire a stunning strike past Harry into the roof of the net . We did respond well to this and finally started to apply some good pressure. Brandon received a kick to the knee and came off for Adam, with Matthew switching to right wing.

We then put to together some great moves down the left with a series of passers and interchangers, but could not create a chance. AEK were putting in 110% effort today and we were on the end of some robust challengers. Daniel (Didi) started to get more on the ball and he had the beating of his markers, with 5 mines left in the second half we drew level, after good work by Alex and Ahrmed the ball fell to Didi who found the bottom left corner from 8 yards. I thought we would push on, as for a 2 minutes were forced several corners, but before half time we lost the ball t easily and did not press enough to win it back and one quick pass and the attacker was through again and slotted the ball home, we could not re start as the ½ time came.

The boys were dejected, but some of the basics were missing. We were not competing physically with AEK, our ball control, and technical ability was far superior but we need to win more balls and pass the ball at the faster pace.

The boys said they were up for challenge, however after just 2 minutes we were 3:1 down. We were caught 2 against 2 on the counter attack and failed to clear the ball and the attacker again finished well. 

Was the title slipping away, this would be a test of character now. The boys immediately respond well and the parents started to encourage them. Lewis and Ahrmed got grips in the middle and both putting in some great tackles and blocks and we started to apply pressure. AEK managed to block all our shots on goal. The ball was ping about the box but we could not get a clear shot on goal. Then Matthew was played into space and beat his marker, but the ball flew just over the bar.

We still tried to hang onto the ball for to long instead of releasing to a man in space and AEK we dangerous on the break. Alex came off for Brandon and he immediately had a good run down the right and forced a corner, the ball was well flighted Brandon by we did not attack the ball and it was cleared. 15 minutes to go and Alex replaced Matthew, it was all Oakhill now and AEK seemed to flagging we were playing all the football and at times passed it very, but we still were trying to beat to many players, when easy options are available.

However we were fighting well without having a rarely clear chance, then more pressure and another shot coming in from Ahrmed, the keeper seemed to have it covered, but somehow managed to miss kick the ball directly at Alex and the ball hit his shin and rolled into the back of net. 3:2 with 7 minutes to go. The boys we rarely going for it now, Lewis was battling well and had 2 great runs and was hacked down badly 10m yards outside the box. He recovered well to float over a nice free kick AEK failed to clear this and it fell to Arhmed who volleyed just wide. Daniel and Arhmed both had shots just wide of the post.

The match was now end to end and Blair pushed in to mid field to try and win us more ball, it did leave us exposed at the back but Harry kept the score at 3:2 with a trade mark flying tackle to block the shot. We immediately went on the attack though and Blair brought the ball down well beat two men on the edge of the box and fired in shot, the keeper could only parry this and pushed into the path of Alex who calmly found the net 3:3, and fully deserved. Could we go on to win? we did have a ½ chance but the shot wide and AEK gave us scare, but we stood strong and cleared the danger.

The ref finally blew up and the boys were very happy and had given a good 2^nd half performance. We extend the run to 12 unbeaten now in the league and require just 2 more points to secure the Yellow division title. We are away to Finchley next week in double header, which concludes our fixtures; it should be an exciting morning, as Finchley have an outside chance of promotion.

Regards

Chris 

Man of the Match: This week goes jointly to Ahrmed and Lewis who both battled well and showed good skill and attitude all game in the midfield area. Both of them kept driving the team forward to earn a well earned draw.  

Skill of the Match: This week’s winner is Adam and flick turn followed closely by Matthew with a near complete 360.

Another bright morning at the Walker, probably the best of the year so far. Today we faced St Albans Blue who gave us a good match 3 weeks ago on a mud heap pitch. There was strong wide blowing down the pitch into our faces in the first half.

We kicked off and had some ball for the first few minutes, but the boys were slower to the ball and the St. Albans were very motivated. We were holding on to the ball for too long at times or making a rushed pass and not finding our men, our crossing was poor generally our game was not at 100% and only good defending from Owen and Blair kept out St Albans. The match was pretty close though and our technical skills seemed better than the opposition, but our application seemed lacking.

We managed to block out St Albans until half time, Harry rushed the forward and the striker pushed his attempt wide. I cannot recall us having a clear opening in the first half, which was most unusual for us.

At time Dave & I talked to the boys, we must do things quicker, think faster, move the ball accurately, and get to the ball first. Within 5 minutes of the kick off we were head. We pinned St Albans in the penalty area and put together several nice moves and forced a number of corners, from which the ball was played back into the area to Faud who controlled the ball well and steered this into the bottom right hand corner. St Albans respond well and only great last ditch from Blair on the penalty stopped a certain goal. Harry had to make a good block when one on one, and as always came of best. We did luck dangerous on the break Daniel had great run from half way beating the last defender, but was judge to have pushed him, which seemed harsh.

St Albans then had another great chance to score, when clean through , but Harry made a great diving save to his right, we cleared the ball well quickly to half way to Ahrmed who raced clear and with some neat footwork beat the defender to fire past the keeper to make it 2 nil. But St. Albans came straight back and after 2 corners the ball fell in the box to there attacker we had time and space to steer the ball home.

Now the game was stretched end to end, and the speed of our attackers nearly gave us a third goal, but we could not fine the final pass or the keeper made a good save, one fine cross from Alex went across the six yard box but Brandon just failed to reach it, Jamie had a free kick that went past the post. St Albans then had a free kick and forced 3 more corners that we defended well.

In the end the boys 2^nd half performance just gave us the edge, we finished are chances very well, St Albans unfortunately did not take theirs or were denied by some great goalkeeping by Harry Watts. 

Regards

 Chris 

Man of the Match: This week it goes to Harry for a two great saves that kept us top of the league. Followed closely by Blair, who played very well at centre back.

Skill of the Match: This week to Zach for and another piece of magic on the right hand side with an inside flick pass evading to players and found a Pumas player.

It was a beautiful morning at Waterfall Road, there was a slight frost, which was thawing rapidly and the pitch was nice and flat. This week we had a full squad of players. Harry was back in goal, so Lewis went back in to central midfield along side Jamie. We were a little late kicking off and immediately we were on the attack and pinned Edmonton in there own penalty box for the first 3 minutes forcing a number of corners. It was really just a matter time before we opened the scoring. After 5 minutes we were in-front.  Adam aimed a speculative effort from the edge of the box. The keeper failed to hold it and knocked it over the line, Lewis followed it in just to make sure, but the goal was awarded to Adam.

We continued to apply pressure and Faud went close with a good header from Jamie’s corner. Edmonton then sprung into action and good defending from Owen and excellent covering from Zach kept us at in-front. We were playing well and a number of good opportunities were being created with Jamie and Lewis controlling the Midfield and feeding some nice balls through to Brandon on the right wing, but we could not convert them, until a long throw from Lewis found Ahrmed on the edge of the six yard box and he calmly lofted the ball over the keeper for 2 nil. Edmonton was still in the match and we had to battle to keep them out in, but Harry was not really troubled. We still were creating chances, Brandon just fired wide with good shot. Before half time all 4 subs came on. Didi, & Alex playing upfront and Henry going to left back and Kyle to left midfield.  

Half time came with us only 2 nil up and Edmonton still in the game.

We kicked off again and gave the ball away to easily but managed to play our way out of trouble. Then Edmonton broke clear through the middle again but Harry made a great saving block, the ball fell loose to Jamie who sent Didi free down the middle for a great counter attacking strike and we were 3 nil up, when 15 seconds ago it could have been 2:1.

We now started to play some nice football playing the ball in triangles down the right. Adam came back on and made an immediate impact, the ball fell to his left foot and he hit a sweet volley into the far corner for 4 nil. A few minutes later Adam again scored to make it 5 nil and Didi made it 6 with another excellent run through the centre and finished well. Substitutions were being made, so all the boys played for 40 minutes. We had lapse in defence to allow Edmonton a goal. We respond well and created a great chance but Matthews’s rocket shot from 6 yards hit the diving Edmonton keeper full in the face and unfortunately he had to be replaced.

Before the finish Alex made it seven we a well placed shot into the corner. This was a good performance by the boys, with some excellent passing.   

Regards

Chris 

Man of the Match: There were 4 good performances today Adam scored a hat trick playing at left back, Didi excellent running and finishing, Owens’s excellent covering in central defence and Jamie’s midfield running

Skill of the Match: There were a few contenders today; the winner however was Adam for an Edmundo, setting up a chance for Alex.

This mornings forecasted frost did not appear, however it was poring down with rain in Barnet but St Albans in formed us the pitch was playable.  

After a short 10 mile journey the pitch was in fact ok. There was some standing water in the centre circle, but overall the pitch was pretty good. This week we only had a bare eleven players and four players out including our star goalkeeper Harry. Owen was back in defence and Lewis volunteered to start off playing in goal.

We kicked off playing 4 4 2. After a few minutes you could see the pitch started to cut up down the middle and boys on both sides were making simple mistakes. Passing was very tricky. We started to apply some good pressure and Faud was put through but stopped by some good defending and the pitch. We were playing quiet well and keeping St Albans pinned in there own half. We won a corner on the right  Jamie floated over a nice ball which Matthew head towards the goal, but the ball drifted just wide of the far post.    

We then had a few scares in our own penalty area, as St Albans caught us on the break, but these were well cut out and we managed to clear the danger. Then St. Albans were on the break , Lewis was testing his ability to jump and touch the bar and was not concentrating when the ball was swiftly played forward , but he reacted swiftly to clear. We then had several good attack down both flanks, with Matthew just shooting wide and St Albans were do well to keep us at nil nil, however this did last long. From a throw down on the right a god interchange between Daniel and Ahrmed left Ahrmed in space who managed to pull the ball back to Jamie who expertly found the far corner. We were well on top now and winning the ball well and trying to play football. Just before half time we went 2 nil up with Daniel finishing well from good dribble and persistence in the inside right channel as he ran in to the box.

The first half ended with Lewis having not really to make a save, just a few clearances. At half time we said to the boys St Albans will come back at us and we must remain concentrated and not take any chances in defence but to continue to attack.  

We started slowly and St Albans started faster and more direct winning all the tackles, only an excellent save from Lewis kept them out blocking the ball from a direct shot from 5 yards out. It was only a matter of time and we conceded from through ball and the strike found the back of the net. Within 5 minutes it was 2:2 as we were caught out on the left and the cross shot just went under Lewis body and trickled across the mud into the goal.

We finally started to play again in the 2^nd half, the ball was down getting stuck in the middle of the pitch but Jamie had several good runs but we could not fine the finish. Daniel had a good chance which was well saved by the keeper. St Albans were throwing everything at us but Blair and Owen both were playing very well and kept them out . Lewis then made a good save with his feet, to stop the attacker shooting. The match was end to end now, it could go either way. We then managed to get back in front with Jamie firing in from close range after another good move. We had other chances to kill the game but shots were blocked. St Albans then applied a lot of pressure and only Owens’s neat back heel clearance kept them out.     

With only 3 minutes to go we managed to play the ball through mud to Faud who found the back of the net. For 4: 2 but St Albans were not finished and Lewis had to make a well timed rush out of goal and the attacker pushed the shot wide.

The ref blew for full time. I think based on our 1^st half performance we just deserved the victory over St Albans and the pitch. Well done to all the boys.

Regards

Chris  

Man of the Match: This week goes to Jamie for his non stop running and 2 goals, followed closely by Lewis who did very well in goal as stand in for Harry Watts

Skill of the Match: On another boggy pitch it was very tricky but Owen takes it this week for a back heel clearance followed closely by Ahrmed

For the second week running we had a league match this time at home. We had twelve players this week, un-fortunately the opposition only had 10 men due to the half term break, however they came full of confidence after winning against one of the league leaders last week.

We kicked off with Henry in the middle of defence along side Blair. We went on the attack and this came to nothing. Even with 10 men Bushey were posing us problems and you could see why they had beaten St.Albans, they had a strong midfield and a fast attacker.

However after 5 mins we went ahead. Jamie won the ball in the middle and passed to Lewis who set Matthew free down the left in acres of space. Matthew hit the ball to the far post and the ball floated over the keeper into the top corner. I guess we were fortunate to be ahead, however we had no luck last week in front of goal, so maybe our luck was turning.

Bushey looked very dangerous coming forward and only a great save by Harry kept the score line at 1 nil. We were struggling to win the ball and Bushey’s through balls were catching us out , only another save from Harry with his feet this time kept them out,

This seemed to finally spur us into action, and we put together some good passers and interchangers, with Faud going close and even Lewis having a run into box. We applied some good pressure and forced several corners which Bushey cleared. With 5 mins to half time we scored again. Jamie scoring with neat finish in to the bottom corner after we had worked the ball well between Ahrmed and Brandon.

However it was only a matter of time and eventually Bushey scored, again a through ball beat us and they slotted the ball home. Half time came and we were probably fortunate to be a head.

However we were not a head for long in the 2^nd half , we continued to give the ball away just outside the our box and in midfield  and finally Bushey made us pay, they played the ball well down our right side and played the ball into the middle for the attacker to slot the ball past Harry for 2 all. Bushey were now very confident and only another diving tackle by Harry kept the score at 2:2, the attacker was slightly injured during the challenge, which was very fair. We finally started to play the ball down the flanks and Matthew had two chances but fired wide.

We then forced a corner, which was well flighted by Jamie right under the bar, the keeper could only punch the ball into the net. We pushed forward now looking for the killer fourth goal, a good one two between Jamie and Ahrmed and an excellent shot by Jamie in the far corner and surely now we had the match sowed up.

However, Bushey thought otherwise, again we had chances to put the ball well into touch but failed to do so, the crowed called that the ball was out, but ref played on , the Bushey forward played on went past our last defender and crashed the ball past Harry for 4:3.  

We were looking a little shaky and only a good tackle by Lewis and another saving tackle from Harry kept Bushey out. The match was now end to end and we had a good chance but Brandon’s shot cannon off the post to safety. We then were awarded a free kick just outside the box, it was well struck by Lewis but the keeper made a good save. Bushey attacked again and we survived several corners, blocking the ball well and Harry saving well with his feet. The ball broke well us and swift counter attack was on Jamie released Brandon who fought off the defender well and finish well into the bottom corner. There was just enough time to re start the match and the ref blew for full time.

We were not at our best today, we missed Owen in defence, but managed to scrape a win due to some good goal keeping from Harry and better finishing that last week.      

Regards
Chris 

Man of the Match: Harry for several great saves during match which made all the difference

Skill of the Match: Zach for an incredible piece of tight control near the corner flag in defence during the first half and a heel turn in the 2^nd half

Once we all found the pitch which was well hidden in leafy Hertfordshire, we found a pitch in good condition, pretty firm and flat but with a slight slope across the playing surface.

This was a clash of 2^nd Vs 3^rd Croxley kicked off, they needed to beat us today as they had played one match more and had an lost 2 matches to our one.

Lewis started in defence this week with Blair and Arhmed as subs due to the traffic delays and the well hidden ground. Croxley started brighter than us and for the first 5 minutes had us under constant pressure.  Our defence held firm, but this week the boys were in for stiff challenge. There were several goalmouth scrabbles but we managed some how to block shots and make tackles to prevent Croxley taking the lead.

In attack we had Faud and Daniel. We started to compete better and immediately Faud broke free from a through ball only for the tall right back to hold him off at the last minute and we had our first corner. This was well struck by Jamie but Croxley scrambled the ball away. Due to slope of the pitch the ball seemed be always on our right hand side. We broke through the Croxley defence several times only to be caught off side. Some times we still find it difficult to stay on side.

Croxley were fast on the counter attack and Harry had to make several well time kicks to avert danger. The speed of Faud and Didi we were causing Croxley problems and both had chances to score when we beat the offside trap, only to miss the target.

After 20 mins Blair came into defence and Lewis moved into Midfield and Arhmed replace Brandon on the right. Immediately we were on the attack, Arhmed showing great control down the right and nearly put Faud clean through on goal with back heel.

Croxley still were dangerous on the break but nothing really troubled Harry, we had several chances, Jamie had great shot well saved by the keeper, Faud was clean through on goal, only for the keeper to make great save, Didi also shot past the far post.

Half time came, we had played well but could not find the net, and Croxley looked capable of scoring if we did not concentrate in defence. 

We kicked off the 2^nd half and for 10 minutes had Croxley under pressure, we could not find an opening, we had 3 or 4 chances to score but could not take them or the keeper saved the shot. Two corners were cleared off the line.

Then Croxley broke out but Harry pulled off a great save down to his left and we cleared the corner after a few attempts.

We 20 minutes to go Alex replaced Matthew and Arhmed moved upfront with Brandon replacing Didi. We were playing some excellent football down the flanks now with Adam on the overlap down the left. How Croxley managed not to concede is a mystery, there keeper saved several shots and when clean through Faud twice could not find the net, we hit the post or pulled the shot wide or the keeper saved it.

The boys played very well and tried hard, with 30 seconds to go the ball fell to Alex 10 yards out, but it was not to be.

It was great match, played with a good spirit by two good teams and very exciting encounter to watch.

Skill of the Match: Joint this week, Arhmed for a back heel in 1^st half and Adam for Excellent control and some good turns down the left

Man of the Match: This goes to Adam at left back but could also have gone to any other member of the team today, some great overlapping runs in the 2^nd Half

Regards

Chris 

Finally after a break of 2 months (our last match was Nov 15^th) we had a game. We were away to Edmonton Rangers. The pitch was very playable, although a very muddy in patches. We welcomed back to the team today Jamie McNeil. Jamie was our top scorer last year and will be a great asset to the team for the rest of the season. We were missing Blair and Didi through illness. We started with Zach and Faud as subs.

Edmonton kicked off. They were a well built side, with some sturdy boys, they immediately had us under pressure and we had to clear the ball well, we were finding it difficult to string more than 2 passers together. Edmonton were playing the ball first time down the middle and we were not really winning any tackles any where on the pitch. We finally managed to get into the Edmonton half and applied some pressure, but the ball broke loose and Edmonton again played the ball through the middle of our defence and the striker raced away to slot the ball into the far corner giving Harry no chance. 

Conceding a goal seemed to wake the boys up. We attacked well, Brandon was seeing a lot of the ball out on the right and finally we started to compete better and win some tackles. We had no clear openings. Jamie and Lewis were getting more into the game in Midfield, a good interchange with Matthew, Lewis and Jamie gave Jamie a good shooting chance. Jamie made a great connection giving the keeper no chance and we were back in match 1:1.

Edmonton were still winning a lot of the tackles in midfield they played another through ball , which bisected Owen and Kyle, Harry rushed out and tackled the striker very well, but the ball rebounded off striker into an open net.  2:1 to the home team. Edmonton applied more pressure but Harry made a great punch from the corner and we broke away and forced our own corner. Jamie floated over a great ball and there was Arhmed unmarked in the 6 yard box to nod home the equaliser 2:2. We pressed forward and had several good chances, but kept getting caught offside. The decisions seemed very marginal; the linesman was very hot with the flag. Then Edmonton broke again and a quick interchange of passing left the striker the simple task of clipping ball past Harry. 3:2 down. We introduced Faud in to attack replacing Alex and Zach came on for Henry at right back. We pressed for the equaliser, but the ball would not fall for us or the Edmonton defence made a last ditch tackle or we were caught offside. Matthew had great shot with his left foot from the edge of the box which hit the post and half time came to save Edmonton.

We made three changers at half time, Kyle was struggling with an ankle knock, so Henry took his place and Alex replaced Matthew on the left. We talked to the boys at half time about getting the ball wide. The pitch was less muddy in the wide areas and we asked them to compete more in the tackle. The final change was made as our linesman Jon was replaced by Kevin. 

We kicked off and immediately went on the offensive. Edmonton were struggling to get out there own half. We dominated the possession and forced several corners, from which again Arhmed was there to head home Jamie’s corner. 3:3 game on. We pinned Edmonton in the there own half for long periods, there keeper made 2 goods saves and the defence some how kept us out. Then from another of Jamie’s corners the ball finished in the net, the defender could only help the ball into the net.

The boys were now playing very well and had several chances to increase the lead but could not force the advantage home. Edmonton were dangerous on the break and Harry had to make 2 good saves and they had a goal disallowed for offside, which was the correct decision. These attacks were from break a way’s as we tried to fine another goal to clinch the match. The referee gave a free kick to Edmonton just in side there own box, somehow they gave the ball away to Faud who calmly stroked the ball home into an empty net. 5:3 to the pumas and a really good 2^nd half performance, with some excellent passing                  

Skill of the Match: Not awarded this week, the pitch was very tricky

Man of the Match: Arhmed for 2 great headers, followed closely by Jamie and Harry 

Regards

Chris 

This Sunday we were away and back in Watford against an old rival from last years campaign Riverside Hibernian. This was another tricky ground to locate for parents. The pitch had extremely long grass, but the over night rain had helped to speed up the surface. We started the match kicking slightly down hill. We had just Alex out this week, so we had 2 subs.

We kicked off and immediately went on the attack. We looked dangerous going forward with the speed of Faud, Didi and Brandon causing the home defence a lot of problems. We had our first chance after 5 minutes, good work down the left by Matthew found Faud who managed to fine Brandon un-marked, Brandon had scored twice with more difficult chances in the last 2 matches, but unfortunately this time he was just past the far post.

Riverside tried to respond and were looking for the through ball every time, but Kyle and Owen were covering well and several times the Riverside forwards ran offside.   Harry had recovered well from his injury from last week and had little to do in goal apart from one shot from long range which he easily saved. Then after about 12 minutes we went a head from an excellent left finish from Matthew striking the ball well in to the bottom corner from just inside the box. We then dominated play for the next 10 minutes and had 3 good chances to increase the score. Didi had and excellent run down the right, but his shot was easily saved by the keeper. Lewis was 5 yards out and hit a good effort that was blocked on the line by the defenders.

There was some excellent passing by Adam with two good exchanges down the right, which Riverside just managed to defend. Towards the end of the half Henry replace Didi up front.

As half time approached Riverside pressed us a lot more.Winning a lot of the ball, but not really creating a clear chance, our defending was excellent. We reached half time still only 1 in front, when it could have been 3 or 4.

At half time Arhmed came on in midfield and James asked the boys to try hitting the passers firmer, as the pitch was slowing the ball and move towards the ball faster.

Within two minutes of the 2^nd half we had increased our lead , we won the ball in midfield and excellent through ball from Henry found Faud, he used his pace and strength to hold off the defender and calmly slot the ball into the net. Shortly afterwards Faud had to be replaced taking a nasty knock on the ankle. Didi replaced him and was immediately in the action. We had a number of chances to increase the lead, but the keeper made two good saves, before another good run from Daniel found him bearing on goal and he finished well. Three nil and playing quiet well.

Riverside forced a number of corners and but they all came to nothing and we cleared our lines well. However from one corner Riverside punished us, we failed to clear ball and it went straight back in the box and the striker beat Harry low down to his right. Riverside thought they were now back in the game.

However we had two more good chances to score. Arhmed ran clear and just failed to chip the keeper, which would have been goal of the season. Faud also had a chance before we finally killed off Riverside’s resistance with our 4^th goal. We had several chances to score when the ball fell to Henry 5 yards out who finished well to score his first goal for the Pumas. Before the end of the match Zach had a great run down the right, beating 3 men, but could not quite find the killer pass.  

The ref blow for full time and we had our 3^rd consecutive win. A good performance by the team on a dodgy pitch. The defence played very well, with Kyle, Owen, Blair, Zach & Adam in the 2^nd half all having good games. Lewis winning tackles in Midfield and we always look dangerous going forward with our array of attacking players Matthew, Brandon, Didi, Faud, Arhmed, Henry.

This win takes us up to 2^nd in the table just behind Croxley. However, it is early days yet and we must continue to improve our passing and team play.    

Skill of the Match: Matthew for the 360 turn and an excellent goal

Man of the Match: Adam. Excellent passing in the first half and good solid defending at left back in the 2^nd half      

Regards
Chris

Well the weather certainly had turned over night, the rain was lashing down and wind blowing down the pitch. We played AEK twice last year, losing both matches 4:1. This year AEK had been struggling having lost the coach and most of the players from last season. However they won 3 nil last week against Bushey so we knew we had a tough match.

All our players were available this week. We started playing 4 5 1. A back 4 of Zach, Owen, Kyle, Blair.  Matthew and Daniel in wide positions, with Alex, Lewis, Arhmed in midfield and Faud as a lone striker. On the bench were Brandon, Adam & Henry. AEK won the toss and decided to kick down hill so we kicked.

The pitch was holding up well to all the rain and the parents were keeping well covered up with Umbrella and sheltering under the trees.

We were soon on the attack. The ball was difficult to control, but a nice exchange of passers on the right gave Faud a chance to score, but the AEK keeper made an excellent save. Matthew then cut in from the left and fired a shot just wide of the far post. We were winning the ball well in midfield, but not releasing the ball fast enough. After about 15 minutes we were well in control of the match, but could not find an opening. The AEK keeper made a good save from Alex‘s shot pushing it against the post for a corner. Arhmed then had another effort that hit the post.

Brandon came on for Daniel and Adam for Arhmed. The conditions were getting worse and a few boys seemed a little cold.

AEK a good 10 minute spell before half time, but were caught offside several times. Kyle was playing well at the back with some well timed interceptions. AEK Forced several corners which we managed to scramble clear and Harry made a good clearance. With only 2 minutes to go in the first half AEK hit the post. Overall we had the better of the first half with several good chances. But it was an open match.

AEK kicked off, at half time Kyle went off, so Blair moved to centre defence and Henry to Left Back, and Alex returned to the midfield. 

We pressed forward from the kick off, now playing down the slope, with the wind with us most of the time. After about 3 minutes of the 2^nd half we opened the scoring, with an excellent finish by Brandon from 12 yards. He crashed the ball past the keeper; the ball fell to him from a poor AEK clearance after good work down the left from Matthew.

The rain began to ease a little and AEK started to press us a little more. They broke forward well and only good defending by Owen and Blair kept the score at 1:0. Then a minute later AEK played a ball through the middle. Which was touched by an Oakhill player, the ball rolled to the penalty spot and there was some indecision and then bad collision between Harry and Owen as they tried to clear the ball. This resulted in Harry lying flat out on the floor injured. We cleared the ball out the box, but failed to put the ball in to touch or to the half way line, the ref for some reason did not blow up to stop the game, I think he should have done so, as this is U11 football not the premier league. Our keeper was still out the game along with Owen. The ball then was passed to AEK, who kept playing and the forward ran into the box and slotted the ball into the corner of the empty net. 1:1 and we were very unlucky. Harry had to go off injured, so Brandon went in goal and Arhmed came back on.

AEK sense victory as we had a replacement keeper, they broke through the middle, only a brilliant last ditch tackle from Lewis stopped a certain goal.  The boys respond brilliantly to the set back of losing Harry. We went on the attack with some nice interchangers of passing with Alex’s shot being well saved by the AEK keeper. We continued to pile on the pressure but could not find the net until, a powerful shot low shot from Arhmed was to hot for the AEK keeper and Faud tapped in the rebound to make it 2:1. A few minutes later we made it 3:1, with a goal Daniel. Lewis took a long throw Faud was through on goal, but the keeper made a good save and ball feel to Didi who beat the keeper at the near post with an excellent finish.

AEK pressed forward and Brandon pushed away a good effort. We then sealed the match with a goal from Alex again after good work by Arhmed.

AEK continued to battle but our defence held out well, then with 3 minutes to go we conceded a second goal from shot from outside the box. AEK pressed forward but the boys held firm and we gained our first home league win of the season.

A very good performance by the all the team, every boy played well. Well done to all the parents for braving the conditions, special thanks to Rob for clearing the goal of water and Stacy for running the line.

Skill of the Match: Arhmed for several great turns and excellent ball control throughout the match.

Man of the Match: Brandon for his excellent strike for our first goal and for going in goal when Harry was injured      

Regards

Chris