Under 9s vs Halliford Colts – 08.10.17

8^th October 2017

Merton Under 9s                             4
Halliford Under 9s                            3

Scorers: Harry 2, Louis, Lewis
MOM: Louis

Nice autumn away game in the outskirts of Staines.  Scenic route taken pass Hampton Court Palace, along the river Thames pass Kempton Race course to our destination of The Matthew Arnold School.  Everyone arrived for the meet time, little walk across to the pitch ready for the warm up and team talk.  Starting line up this week was Max (GK), Joe and Ollie (Defence), Louis, Percy and Lewis (Midfield) and Faris (Striker).  On the bench were Archie and Harry, with David still away in Disney land with Mickey and friends and all the roller coasters.

The first half we started strong and put pressure on their defence and goalkeeper but couldn’t find the net, their keeper making some good saves.  For about the first 5 minutes Max was standing in his area with surprisingly not a lot to do.  The first goal unfortunately came from the opposition, and unfortunately due to the intensity of the match I’ve forgot how it went in.  The boys got themselves together, kicked off and continued as they started the match.  Couple of changes have way through the first half, Harry and Archie on.  We got the leveller from Lewis who dribbled pass a couple of players and placed the ball in the bottom right hand of the net. His first goal of season and well deserved.  That’s how the first half finished, the players gathered for well earned drinks, short rest and team talk. 

Second half, couple more changes and onto the exciting but intense 25 minutes.  We continued to play some good football, passing the ball about, clearing the ball out from the back and shooting first time at goal. Again they took the lead from a corner that wasn’t cleared, 2 – 1. Percy was having yet another great game in centre of midfield, with his endless running and closing down. We drew level yet again with a sweet left foot shot by Harry into the top right corner.  The boys never gave up and with some good passing Harry got us in the lead making it 3 – 2.  There came upset in the last 10 minutes as they scored to level the game again to make it 3 – 3.  A few more changes, Harry off to be denied a chance to get a hat trick. With about 5 minutes of normal time to go, the ball was played over the top to Louis who calmly controlled the ball and composed himself in front of goal to score his first goal of the season and put us back in the lead.  Now, for the second week running, Fergie time was played and the last 5 minutes of added time was squeaky bum time.  The boys played their hearts out, not one of them having a bad game, defended well and saw the game out to go on and win their second game of the season.

This was a great but nail biting match to watch, which had everything in it. There were new goal scorers, end to end play, post hitting, defending, passing and the ball hitting the back of the opposition net. 

Man of the match was close between 2 goals Harry, Percy’s engine in the middle, but was given to Louis for another great performance and getting on the score sheet. Winning treats at the end of the game supplied by Roy. 

The win made the drive home a lot more enjoyable.

Next week’s game sees a 10.30 kick off at home against Hampton and Richmond Borough Youth Stags. On the agenda is Taff helping with the goals and Stuart supplying the pom poms for the new sideline cheerleaders (Lewis’s sister and friend).