Under 11 Black Match Report
Saturday, May 03, 2008 v Calvin Crusaders @ Calvin
Match report :
After trialing a new formation at the U11s training session during the week (4-4), the KLUSC Black team used this formation for this game. We had to come up with a system that defended our goal better than our previous games, but also, still allowed our free flowing attacking game to be played. CALVIN played with the same (4-4) formation.
Having 4 forwards provided the team with good attacking options up forward. The use of the space out wide by the wingers was excellent, Nathan, Jayden, William and Michael using the lines and space to their full potential. We had certainly improved our ball crossing from previous weeks, many times Bobby and Joseph were found receiving the ball in and around the goal circle, however their fruits went unrewarded. Nathan had our best chance in the first half, striking the ball near the goal circle just to the side of the left post. Joshua, Robert and Jayden took up the centre back positions with Harrison and Jordan supporting out wide. Our defence was holding the CALVIN players well, Joshua clearing loose balls and Harrison constantly jockeying and tackling his opponent with success. One main objective set for the team today was to win any loose ball situations and the players determination was clear for about the first 15 minutes of the 1st half. CALVIN managed to brake down our defence close in at goal and scored two well crafted goals. The two goals scored by CALVIN had an effect on the team's efforts to win the loose ball and CALVIN then scored a 3rd late 1st half goal after a very good chase from behind by Jordan to catch the attacker.
After a half-time talk we rallied the players to concentrate on the objective, to win the loose ball situations. KLUSC started with attack in the minds and the game was starting to be played on our terms. Joshua had the backline of Harrison, Robert and Jordan playing on the half way line and this allowed our forwards to attack the CALVIN goal. Jayden and William continuing the great runs on each wing and crossing the ball into the danger area for Bobby and Joseph to strike at goal. CALVIN 3 Nil up at half time placed every player behind the ball and on a very tight and small ground the defensive tactic worked, even if you could count it as negative play (it was certainly going to make scoring a lot harder). Jayden, Joseph, Bobby and William each had a very good chance to score by our finishing let us down. Bobby and Michael had the play of the day, Bobby motored down the left wing and then approaching the CALVIN goal took the defence on and edged closer towards the left hand post and then cut back a wonderful ball to Michael at the far post, but as with our other chances in the 2nd half our finishing let us down (Get ready boys, we will be working hard on finishing and shooting at goal at this weeks training session!). CALVIN managed to score a 4th goal late in the half.
A very good effort displayed by the boys in the 2nd half with some very positive signs coming from the game, also great support shown by the parents of the group. Thanks to Alastair Cooke for refereeing the "whole" game. The match ended with CALVIN Crusaders 4 KLUSC Black 0.
Colin Robbins
Coach