Sunday round up – 3rd December 2023

U8 Wolves v Wellow

The Wolves were looking to break out of a difficult patch of results with today's match against Wellow. Top scorer Ollie unavailable for this one so the boys were tasked with replacing his goal threat.

We started poorly and found ourselves 2 down early on with Wellow breaking the press and isolating Jacob 2v1. We soon got wise to it and worked our way back into Q1 when Harry made half a yard and drilled his shot into the corner. Shay led the line from the start and his physicality caused problems for the Wellow defense with Fyfe nearly benefitting from his hold up play on several occasions with long range efforts.

Jack, Vinnie and Louie came in for Q2 and adjusted our positions to a more defensive style and despite an onslaught from Wellow held firm with Jasper pulling off some fine stops and Jacob making some excellent tackles.

Wellow turned the screw in Q3 and took control of the game with a couple of excellent strikes from distance that gave Jasper no chance.

We still felt we could get back into the game and after a further worldie from Wellow, Jack broke free at pace and finished with style. From here the game ebbed and flowed with more goals at both ends. Louie closed down every ball from the front and Shay stepped forward from a defensive midfield position to hammer home for his first of the season. Fyfe, who had been trying his luck all day, lobbed the keeper with great technique but for every goal we mustered Wellow had another long ranger in their locker and could have had a couple more without Jasper's top drawer reflexes.

Another example of a pleasing performance with a disappointing result. We're seeing the things we're training happen on the pitch and playing good football, just getting unstuck by great shooting! Players of the Match went to Louie and Jacob today both sticking to their task calmly, winning the ball and getting us playing.

The Wolves will keep hunting!

U9 Eagles v AFC Stoneham Falcons

The rain cleared just in time for kick off of the first of two consecutive Stoneham v Stoneham games.

The Eagles used the occasion to showcase just how much they have developed since last season, both individually and as a team.

With an unbelievable work rate on show from them all, they moved up and down the pitch at a pace that most teams would struggle to compete with. It was particularly encouraging to see such impressive link up play, with one example certainly a contender for our best team goal of the season so far.

With 76 successfully completed passes between the team, it's unsurprising that we saw 6 different players with assists, well done James, Billy, Quinn, Jenson, Julius and Kian!

Albert had a fantastic afternoon in front of goal, creating numerous opportunities through determined drives down the left wing. Freddie, Kian and James also enjoyed their afternoon in the last third.

Harry bravely battled feeling under the weather and contributed with a couple of fantastic saves before the discomfort became too much for him, allowing Leo to kindly sacrifice his outfield quarter to support the team and protect our net.

Wali, Quinn and Jenson were resolute in winning the ball back in front of our goal and calmly starting off the flowing passes that took us up the pitch.

Well done Billy on a man of the match performance, centered on positive forward play, 12 successfully completed passes and 2 fine assists.

Finally, congratulations Wali on picking up November's Player of the Month trophy for his continual hard work, incredible attitude and dedicated application. November saw Wali make 7 critical tackles/interceptions and the defensive contribution to the team has really helped us push on in the last couple of months.

Go Eagles!

U12 Spitfires v Totton and Eling

The U12 Spitfires were back to their best with a great performance against Totton and Eling this morning. All of the boys played their part in a 8 nil victory playing some great football. Although not having many saves to make, keeper Carmel was on his toes to make some good clearances, as well as playing it out confidently from the back. Defenders James, Forbes and Adam were as solid as ever at the back, covering each other well, getting some good defensive headers in, and linking up well with the midfield. Alfie L and Alfie B controlled the centre of midfield, winning tackles, driving forwards and playing some great balls through to the strikers. Bushy and Tobias terrorised the Totton defence, making attacking runs down the wings and playing some great balls into the box. Strikers Freds, Ethan and Charlie held up the ball well, linked up well on a tight pitch, and made some penetrating runs. Alfie Lomas started the scoring in the first half with a great left foot strike into the top corner, soon followed by a goal from Freddie who brought the ball down well in the box, and composed himself before slotting the ball into the bottom right corner. Alfie L got his second of the game before half time, skilfully knocking the ball over the top of an advancing keeper. Totton started brightly in the second half with some good play. Bushy then made a great run down the left wing and crossed the ball across the face of the goal where Alfie L was running in to score his hat trick. Bushy then scored two outstanding goals with his trusty left foot, smashing the ball across the keeper into the corner of the net. Defender James then got in on the act with a confident penalty, and then made a driving run into the box to smash the ball into the net to make it 8 nil. The Totton keeper should be commended for some great saves throughout the match. Man of the match went to Alfie L for his runs from midfield and his three goals. Well done boys.

U13 Jaguars 2 - 6 Bursledon Supernovas

For the second successive game the Jaguars left it until half time to start to play, surrendering a 4-0 goal league in meek fashion before the interval.

Both collectively and individually the Jaguars walked their way through the first half, and were found wanting as a defensive unit.

The second half was a markedly different affair. Charlie sparkled after being switched to the wide right position and he, Matteo, Jamie, Freddie and Tyler worked some wonderful combinations. The Jaguars struck first: Tiago’s corner was drilled in, and with Daniel’s run to the near post drawing the defenders, the ball landed at the feet of Matteo whose finish kissed the underside of the bar. Despite another individual defensive mistake leading to the hosts’ fifth goal, the Jaguars continued to play some really wonderful following football, often with Tyler as the fulcrum, particularly down the right side, and following an overlap from Jamie, Charlie started a move and then finished it with aplomb, lobbing the goalkeeper from 20 yards. Another defensive mistake shortly after handed Bursledon their sixth goal, but it didn’t deter the Jaguars who carved out numerous other good chances with their two and three touch football.

A deeply frustrating first half and a second half display full of offensive menace and controlled football. If the Jaguars can be more consistent in their approach to the game from the outset then the results will follow.

U14 Sharks 6 – 2 Hedge End Falcons

MotM - Crofton

PMotM - McPherson

Fantastic performance today, probably the best performance yet with every player playing well and genuinely contributing. Three players were stuck in traffic so we played the first 20 mins with 10 players. Despite this, we held our own and looked the more likely to score until a shot from distance caught on the wind and lobbed Whitelock dipping in just under the bar, not much he could do about it.

Immediately afterwards, our additional players arrived and with a full 11 on the pitch, we dominated the game thereafter. We immediately started to create lots of chances and were unfortunate not to score on a few occasions. 31 minutes in, Crofton put in a lovely cross which beat the keeper and left Naderi with the easiest of tap-ins at the back post.

9 minutes after halftime, a great bit of skill and a lovely ball through by Hallett put Naderi through on goal and his powerful shot was too much for the keeper to deal with and went in off the underside of the bar.

Very much against the run of play, Hedge End then drew level at 2-2 with a goal on the break. A few minutes later, McPherson sent in a lovely corner kick and Ali was able to get onto the loose ball and calmly slotted the ball in the far corner for his first goal of the season.

Three minutes later, a careless foul led to a freekick on the edge of the opponents box. Crofton took the freekick, beat the keeper and found the top left corner of the net.

Naderi had another chance on the break, when he lobbed the keeper but the keeper then took his legs out in the air for a penalty. Naderi then stepped up and blasted his shot into the bottom left corner giving the keeper no chance.

In one of the last plays of the game, Ali neatly sidestepped in the box drawing a foul by the defender. McPherson stepped up for the penalty and calmly slotted the ball in the bottom right corner, sending the keeper the wrong way.

MotM went to Crofton who was really strong in all areas of the pitch today. McPherso earned PMotM for his phenomenal work rate, popping up everywhere, creating multiple chances and getting his penalty goal.

Naderi is now clear top goalscorer in the league.

Amazing job today Sharks, a thoroughly deserved win.

Thank you Hedge End for a great game. We wish you the best of luck for the rest of the season.

Well done to all of our teams!

#upthepurps