Under 11 Black Match Report
Saturday, May 10, 2008 v Waimea Heights Blue @ Lightwood Park

Match report :

The team continued with their 4-4 formation for this game. WHb was first on the board early in the 1st half with a goal that came from nothing (the ball seemed to just roll over the goal line), the early goal seemed to stun the team. Michael, Matthew and William continued their excellent form and use of space out wide, providing the team with many damaging runs into the WHb's territory. Our ball crossing has continued to improve and Matthew after receiving the ball from Joseph crossed the ball into the goal circle and Bobby (good positioning) finished off for a well-crafted goal. Our poor finishing has improved but the team missed some good opportunities in the 1st half that were on offer, just missing wide of the posts.Joshua and Harrison teamed up as the centre backs, with the support of Kris, Robert and Jordan. Our defence was holding out the WHb players, Joshua clearing any loose balls and displaying some fine attack play. Harrison, Kris, Robert and Jordan marking their opponents with success. We continued with last week's objective, to win any loose ball situations and the team determination was again clear in this 1st half. Jayden (goalkeeper) showed strong hands and has started to call for the ball now and late in the 1st half cleared on fine ball straight down the middle of the park and Bobby slipped his marker and ran onto the kick and finished off with an accurate shot across the keeper into the goal for the team's 2nd.

The 2nd half saw KLUSC again play with attack in mind and the game was starting to be played on our terms. Joshua had the backline of Harrison, Robert, Kris and Jordan playing on the half way line and this allowed our forwards to attack the WHb goal. Michael and William continuing to use the width of the park and crossing the ball into the danger area for Bobby, Matthew and Joseph to strike at goal. The team continued to create good opportunities for goals but as per previous weeks our finishing let us down, continued hard work on this should show a marked improvement in coming weeks. WHb displayed good spirit and attack in the 2nd half and had our defence working hard. The game ended in controversy when a late WHb goal was awarded, but to all near the KLUSC goal (including the keeper) the ball clearly did not go over the line. Jayden had strong hands on the ball after a fine save and looked a little confused when the goal was awarded. A fine display in goals by Jayden today, soccer can be cruel at times but we need to "roll with the punches".

A very strong effort displayed by the boys today with some good signs the team's finishing is improving. Thanks to Alastair Cooke for refereeing his part of the game. The match ended in a draw KLUSC Black 2 WAIMEA HEIGHTS Blue 2.

Colin Robbins
Coach