Under 11 Black Match Report
Saturday, August 02, 2008 v Calvin Crusaders @ Calvin

Match report :

This week we were playing the CALVIN team at the Calvin Secondary School. KLUSC was down to 9 players due to injury and illness. Usually we would have 12 players to rotate during the game, so the position we were in was new to the team and it would certainly test the player’s fitness levels. Over the last few seasons CALVIN has been our bogey team, close greatly contested games, a joy for the spectators.

In the 1st half Jayden, Bobby, Matthew and Kris were in our forward line. Some good forward passes were put together which resulted in Matthew having a great chance to put KLUSC on the scoreboard, but unfortunately the shot missed the target. Bobby was creative, evading defenders and setting up good position. Our defence was outstanding, Harrison, Robert, Jordan and Joshua (sweeper) controlling play in our defensive half. William (goalkeeper) made some wonderful saves in the 1st half, especially one that was taken by CALVIN and went like a rocket, William paddled the ball two handed in front of him to cushion the shot and held the 2nd grab confidently. With about 5 minutes to go in the half a CALVIN defender volleyed the ball at goal, which deflected off the cross bar and hit our goalkeeper in the back and rolled over the goal line. CALVIN went ahead 1 goal to nil.

In the 2nd half KLUSC continued to attack, using the width the launch raids on the CALVIN goal. William, Kris and Bobby making good runs. Both William and Bobby made great left and right wing runs, evading defenders and worked the ball close to goal. Both balls were delivered beautifully into the goal circle and unfortunately our finishing let us down, great to see this centering the ball development in the team coming along. Harrison, Robert, Jordan and Joshua continued to work hard in defence. The CALVIN team was pressing and our defensive unit was repelling each attack. I did have a feeling our fitness would be a factor later in the game and to all it was. The last 5-10 minutes saw some tired KLUSC players and this was when CALVIN capitalised and made a dash down their right wing, the ball was crossed into the danger area and a CALVIN player finished off to put them up 2 goals to nil. KLUSC did not give up, pressing the CALVIN goal area until the final whistle blew.

A good display by the KLUSC team, our defensive unit worked hard all day and the forward’s created great opportunities to score. The team's development continues to impress, the disciplines carried out were outstanding.

The match ended KLUSC 0 CALVIN Crusaders 2. Thanks to Alastair Cooke for refereeing the game.

Colin Robbins
Coach