YEL U10 Sunday Division 2 - 15th March 2009
Ravenshead Reds 0 - 0 Sherwood FC
Another encounter with Ravenshead Reds, the team we've played more than any other over the last two seasons - 6 times in total spanning a pre-season friendly, four league games and a cup match. We have a good record against them, unbeaten in fact, but they're always tight games and today was no exception. No goals but plenty of endeavour from both sides and plenty of end to end football.
As is now customary we pulled together as a team and tried very hard to get the win. Our defence was as tight as ever with Thomas and William doing the job for us this week with George unavailable. First Simeon and then Ivan did a great job in goal both keeping clean sheets in the face of real pressure at times.
We rotated 11 players in this game and I know that what we did wasn't to everyone's satisfaction but we didn't upset the balance and everyone got a game. Joe, Harry W and Finn acquitted themselves well in midfield in the first half with Humzah as our lone ranger up front - an often thankless task that he performed well without complaint. Humzah is a great addition to the squad and is showing a great awareness and good touch.
We switched things round periodically during the game looking for the elusive breakthrough. Tom came on for a rather dehydrated Joe just before half-time, and James and Harry L were added into he mix at half-time. Harry L had already covered 13 miles for Comic Relief the day before but tried really hard to maintain his high tempo running game.
Both sides had their chances to win it in the second half with the two best ones coming in the last minute, one for each side. James shot from just inside their half and their goalkeeper could only watch as it powered over his head, dipped at the last second and rattled the crossbar. No doubt about it - if that one had gone in it would have been our goal of the season. Unbelievable James, so stop telling me about all the things you don't think you can do and accept that actually you can! In the last few seconds Ravenshead were through on goal but were denied the winner by a sublime saving tackle from Thomas.
Another highly competitive game, played in an excellent atmosphere between two teams and sets of supporters who have earned each other's respect. In the end we cancelled each other out and a draw was a fair result. Great refereeing today as well, nicely in the background but there with the right decision whenever it was needed. Completely fair and unbiased just as it should be.
We played a 20-minute friendly afterwards with Sim and Ivan catching the eye in particular in the outfield. I think perhaps Ivan is right and it's time to break out of this tendency to start the same boys all the time in the first half. Sometimes we just need a reminder, and the best way of doing this is to put in the kind of performance that both Sim and Ivan gave in the after-match.
The friendly was also a tight affair, with Ravenshead taking and holding the lead until a full length of the pitch run and finish by Harry W late in the second half. I know I told him to get it clear about 3 times, but there's another one I got wrong!
Very difficult to give a Man of the Match today but for their sterling work at the back, when I know they'd both prefer to play elsewhere the joint honour goes to Thomas and William. Well done boys, and well done team.
