Match Report

Sunday 14th October 2007

League Cup Earls Colne 0, Lawford Blues 1 (after extra time)

I need to order some more hyper tension pills. What a match.

Prior to the game we suffered the same chaos as last week – changing kick off times, changing shorts and a number of boys late. Such things do not help us prepare.

Having said this, we started well. Calum was again impressive at the back, and he was playing the ball out of defence with intelligence and vision. Harry was upsetting their left back and we were spending the majority of the time in their half. Alfie had a snapshot saved by the keeper and Sam cracked a wicked shot onto the bar. It bounced down and may have crossed the line, but the linesman wasn’t Russian and no goal was awarded.

Louis thumped a decent left footed shot but the keeper saved comfortably.

Jake was sending the ball into orbit and our defence was looking sound. James had to come off after clashing heads with Louis (I will tape my shout of ‘One of you’ to be played throughout the next match.) and was replaced by Freddie.

Halftime came with no score.

We started the second half slowly, and Thomas was called into action on a number of occasions. He made two notable saves, one down to his left, and the other from under his bar from a free kick. Harry was buzzing all over midfield but struggled to find the final pass through to our strikers. Our now customary habit of making basic mistakes started to creep in as the tension rose – balls bouncing over our heads, miskicks and passes straight to the opposition. Then a breakthrough; Harry attempted to cross the ball in but the ball was stopped by a defender’s hand. It was a harsh decision but ultimately the right one as a penalty was awarded. Harry stepped up and coolly stroked the ball low and to the corner, but he dragged it wide. It was not to be his day.

Extra time - few chances. Much tension. Then disaster. Confusion over an offside decision resulted in Harry picking the ball up in order to take a free kick, however the whistle had not blown, and a penalty was awarded. Another harsh decision, but the right one. Thomas was now centre stage amidst the screams and shouts as the tension boiled on a beautiful morning. He saved the kick, but our defenders failed to react and the striker had no trouble slotting the ball home.

So what have we learnt? Play to the whistle. Create more chances and then we are not relying on ref’s decisions to go our way. We are not managing to get the ball into danger areas quick enough. Our midfield is being cut out of the game because our passing is poor and we resort too easily to just booting the ball. When we are frightened of the ball it will punish us.

The effort was exceptional, and we did not deserve to lose in such a fashion. We must remember that we have 60 minutes to win matches, and if we don’t score we are always going to be in danger of freak moments getting the better of us.

Thanks to Kevin for running the line.

Man of the Match – Harry Chamley. Whilst he will be haunted by two key moments, I remember his play throughout the match – determined, skilful and a real captain’s example.




		Under 12s Match Report



		Sunday 14th October 2007 League Cup Earls Colne 0, Lawford Blues 1 (after extra time) I need to order some more hyper tension pills. What a match. Prior to the game we suffered the same chaos as last week – changing kick off times, changing shorts and a number of boys late. Such things do not help us prepare. Having said this, we started well. Calum was again impressive at the back, and he was playing the ball out of defence with intelligence and vision. Harry was upsetting their left back and we were spending the majority of the time in their half. Alfie had a snapshot saved by the keeper and Sam cracked a wicked shot onto the bar. It bounced down and may have crossed the line, but the linesman wasn’t Russian and no goal was awarded. Louis thumped a decent left footed shot but the keeper saved comfortably. Jake was sending the ball into orbit and our defence was looking sound. James had to come off after clashing heads with Louis (I will tape my shout of ‘One of you’ to be played throughout the next match.) and was replaced by Freddie. Halftime came with no score. We started the second half slowly, and Thomas was called into action on a number of occasions. He made two notable saves, one down to his left, and the other from under his bar from a free kick. Harry was buzzing all over midfield but struggled to find the final pass through to our strikers. Our now customary habit of making basic mistakes started to creep in as the tension rose – balls bouncing over our heads, miskicks and passes straight to the opposition. Then a breakthrough; Harry attempted to cross the ball in but the ball was stopped by a defender’s hand. It was a harsh decision but ultimately the right one as a penalty was awarded. Harry stepped up and coolly stroked the ball low and to the corner, but he dragged it wide. It was not to be his day. Extra time - few chances. Much tension. Then disaster. Confusion over an offside decision resulted in Harry picking the ball up in order to take a free kick, however the whistle had not blown, and a penalty was awarded. Another harsh decision, but the right one. Thomas was now centre stage amidst the screams and shouts as the tension boiled on a beautiful morning. He saved the kick, but our defenders failed to react and the striker had no trouble slotting the ball home. So what have we learnt? Play to the whistle. Create more chances and then we are not relying on ref’s decisions to go our way. We are not managing to get the ball into danger areas quick enough. Our midfield is being cut out of the game because our passing is poor and we resort too easily to just booting the ball. When we are frightened of the ball it will punish us. The effort was exceptional, and we did not deserve to lose in such a fashion. We must remember that we have 60 minutes to win matches, and if we don’t score we are always going to be in danger of freak moments getting the better of us. Thanks to Kevin for running the line. Man of the Match – Harry Chamley. Whilst he will be haunted by two key moments, I remember his play throughout the match – determined, skilful and a real captain’s example.