Wednesday 22nd April 5:30 KO
Our U10 played our U11 in 9v9 game at David English Centre in a pseudo New Forest League fixture.
A sunny but windy afternoon on a very nice, large pitch was the venue for this game. The match was (as usual) played at full pace and was very competitive. All the players were desperate to get one over on the other age group!
The match was split into 3 x 20 minutes and was a fairly even affair with both teams passing the ball well & both defences having to work hard to deny any real chances. U11 had the only real chance of the first period and went 1-0 ahead with a nice near post finish by Emre.
In the second period, U10 had plenty of corners but could not turn them into real chances. U11 went 2-0 up after a lovely passage of play that started with H in goal and playing out from the back. A ball into midfield & then outside again, ended up with Elliott who played a through ball through to the overlapping new boy, Xander. He layed it off to Emre who shot hard only to see it saved - the rebound ended up with Elliott again who slotted it through to Xander once more who finished beautifully off the post!
The third goal was debatable - the linesman flagged for offside as U11 tucked home a goal line scramble, but ref Mr Pardy allowed the goal! Generous!
Despite some earnest tackling & attractive play at times, the U10 succumbed to a fourth and final goal in the third period with Jack going alone to score.
In the end, experience of the 9v9 format showed through as well as the pitch size and the physicality of some of the U11.
The game was played in great spirit & I am certain it will do the U10 the world of good as they move to 9v9 next season.
U10 0 v U11 4
