Under 9s vs Corinthian Casuals – 29.04.18

29^th April 2018

Merton under 9s                                              7

Corinthian Casuals                                           2

Scorers                                                                 Faris 2
                                                                                David 2
                                                                                Joe
                                                                                Lewis
                                                                                Louis

MOM                                                                    Harry

This was the last game of the season at the Hood against Corinthian Casuals.  Normal pitch had been taken down, so had to use the nearer pitch, great for the parents as didn’t have to carry the goals so far.  The pitch had a few boggy areas from the weekend rain but was playable.  All ten boys showed up for their last game of the season.  Neal took them to one side and started the warm up.  Corinthian Casuals had the bare 7 players. Dave Laughton tiding up a largish puddle on the side line just before the game began.  10 o’clock came and the ref started the game.  Starting line-up this week was Max GK, Joe and David defence, Lewis, Louis and Percy in midfield with Archie up top.  That left, Harry, Ollie and Faris on the bench.  We started ok getting the ball out wide, passing nicely and creating chances.  Unfortunately they scored first, Joe and David going for the same player, ball was played through, which, left the tall striker through to slot the ball beyond Max and his big red gloves.  We started again this time pressing better and winning the ball. Louis got us level slotting the ball into the bottom left corner.  After this the goals started going in, David scoring from a very tight angle, again his mum missing this one, not for the first time.  Changes made half way through the half, Harry, Ollie and Faris on for David, Joe and Archie.  Harry as usual being solid at the back mopping up any balls played through and tightly marking their tall striker.  We stayed solid, Max pulling off some great saves as well as Corinthian’s keeper.  Lewis scored near the end of the half making it 3 – 1.

The boys gathered their drinks and sat to hear what Roy and Neal had to say about the half and what they should do in the second.  Few changes made, Archie, David and Joe back on for Louis, Lewis and Percy.  This half we had most of the possession, Corinthian with only 7 tired as the half went on.  Faris grabbed two goals this half keeping him top goal scorer for the season.  Joe with a poachers finish and David thundering home his brace, this time his mum saw this one.   They grabbed a late consolation goal at the end, and what a goal it was not even Max’s dad would have saved it.  A thumping free kick into the top left bins.  The ref blew the final whistle; all the boys played well and put in a great performance for their last game.  Final score 7 – 2.

Neal and Roy gathered the boys and parents into the clubhouse as they had some individual team awards to hand out.  Man of the match this week was Harry for his solid performance in defence.

Three awards to give out, top goal scorer, Neal and Roy’s dream team player of season and parents player of the season.  Faris collected the top goal scorer award, played 18 scored 22.  Max, still with his gloves on, picked up the parents player of the season award. The dream team award with a best overall average score of the season went to David. 

That left Neal and Roy left to wrap up the season with a thank you to all the parents for their help over the season, and the boys for efforts on the pitch and at training. 

All the parents and boys would like to give a big thank you to Neal and Roy for giving up their time on a Sunday and Tuesday night and running this year’s Merton under 9s.  The improvement of all players over the season has shown and they have been a pleasure to watch every Sunday (when it hasn’t been called off due to weather and pitch conditions).  Hopefully most of the boys will stay and play next year as the Merton under 10s.

The club youth awards is on 19^th May at 3pm with a BBQ and the FA Cup Final being shown after, also the adults will be holding a World cup 5 a side tournament that day also.  Hope to see all the boys and parents back for this event.  Stu the bar will be OPEN!!