With two teams entered into the tournament, a splattering of new
players and no real goalkeepers (no offence to the lads that took
between the posts) this was going to be a difficult day. That said the
emphasis was on getting the lads to gel, have some fun and just enjoy
the day...I think that we achieved that and with Team Mark making the
final of the plate did come away with some silverware for finishing
runner up in that competition.
The format was an 8 team league with everyone playing each other. The
top 2 would then play off for the trophy with the 3rd and 4th placed
teams competing for the plate.
Team Marcus (doesn't sound that cool now) was made up of Lewis,
Freddie, Luca, Finn, Ryan, Taylor and Max.
Our first game was against Bishops Cleeve Colts Utd Greens, we won 2-0
with both goals from Max. The first a penalty after a handball
decision, the second a strong run down the right and fine finish. 2-0
and tails up. This Cleeve team would go on to win the 3rd/4th place
plate competition. There then followed a run of games where we
struggled to get anything and in fact didn't.
Losing 3-1 to Bishops Cleeve Colts Utd Blacks saw Finn in goal prove
that he is no 'keeper. To be fair to him he's not alone in that
particular club. Taylor showed some quality with a fine finish.
That was followed by a 3-0 defeat to Charlton Rovers Reds where Luca,
in goal, proved equal only to Finn in terms of goal keeping ability.
There's little to say about this match!
We then had the Leckhampton Derby v Team Mark. This looked to be going
for a 0-0 honours even, no bragging rights here, move along nothing to
see. Until a shot that was going wide was turned in off the keeper. It
should be noted though that Freddie had played very well in goal and
was certainly the best keeper in this team.
With heads down we started to turn it around, bizarrely against
Churchdown. Setting up with a false 9 formation the plan was just to
frustrate and essentially park the bus. It worked well, we played with
defensive discipline and although we never mustered a shot we didn't
want to either. Max in goal was only beaten by a header for a long
throw that looped up and dropped into the corner Over his
out-stretched hand. We lost 1-0 but the lads got their confidence
back.
We won the next two matches 1-0 with Luca scoring the winner in both.
Against Charlton Rovers Blues A's finishing from close range following
very fine work from Max out wide to evade a couple of tackles and play
the ball across the goal. The second against Charlton Rovers Blues B's
finishing from the inside right channel after an excellent cross from
deep played by Taylor on huge left wing.
We finished on 9 points, winning 3 and losing 4 matches. Scoring 5
goals and conceding 8.
As always there were positives, Lewis was excellent at the back and
never more so than when breaking forward and taking on the opposition.
He was very unlucky not to score with a couple of thunderous efforts
from distance. Freddie showed good skills and strength to be a very
important player to this team whether in midfield or at the back. Luca
played with discipline in midfield positions and had enough energy to
get forward to score two goals. Max showed flashes of his ability to
jink and weave his way through crowded penalty areas and was at the
heart of a lot of good that we did. Finn has tekkers to burn and can
shimmy and stepover as good as anyone. He was unlucky not to score
with a couple of efforts following fine skills. Ryan was solid in
midfield and defense and settled in as the tournament progressed. A
good debut and plenty more to come. Taylor was also making his debut,
he scored a couple of nice goals. The second of which squeezed into
the smallest gap beyond the keeper. Both lads have undoubted quality
and tournament football not necessarily the best place to show it,
short games and a whole new set of team mates. That aside these were
excellent debuts.
A report on Team Marks performances will follow separately.....
Thanks to the parents for their support and banter through the day....
It seemed an overly long tournament but everyone was smiling.
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