Match Report

24th February 2008

Stanway Rovers 0 – Earls Colne 1 (L. Lee-Allan)

The day didn’t start so well. Two calls within minutes meant that both Daniel and George were out, leaving us with only 11 players. I took the view that we had been so poor last week that a few enforced changes might do us good. Patrick moved into the centre of defence and Calum SS went to right back. Sam took up post next to Louis, and Cameron moved to the left midfield spot that no-one wants.

The weather was gloriously bright but a little windy. Stanway kindly provided yellow dugouts, which quickly became the property of the fans – how would Fergie react to that?
I thought we might be onto something when one of their midfielders wore a hat.

The first 15 minutes were a little worrying. Jake seemed to be constantly punting the ball out, only for it to keep coming back. Calum SS was struggling with his role, and was caught out on a number of occasions, allowing their nippy winger in behind him. Our midfielders lacked bite and when they did win the ball they were quickly forced off of it. We were living dangerously and if Stanway had a little more conviction going forward we would have easily conceded.

Then, halfway through we started to improve. Calum SS began to get the measure of his position and Stanway found it harder to penetrate. A great move up the left, started by Cameron, moved on by James and nearly finished by Harry was the move of the match, and showed that we were capable of fashioning chances, if we didn’t rely on just hoofing it. By the end of the half Calum SS was being praised by his team mates for his efforts, and we knew we were doing well.

With the wind with us in the second half (well done Harry for winning the toss) we suddenly looked a much better proposition. Louis started to dominate the midfield, and Stanway looked much less of a threat. They did break through and a clever back heel led to a shot going over, but we were working hard on trying to keep our shape, with some success.

Into the final quarter and Harry was bundled over a couple of yards outside the box. He wanted Jake to take the kick, but I opted for Louis, as I felt the distance more suited his shape of shot. Proud dad moment – he drifted it over the wall and low to the keeper’s right. In fact he hit it with less oomph than the missed penalty last week, but this time it was all about the accuracy.

The final ten minutes dragged ( I think the ref owned Fergie’s watch) but we were in the ascendancy. Louis nearly doubled his success with a couple of efforts, and Luke went agonisingly close. The key was we didn’t panic, held the territorial advantage and closed the game down.

A fantastic display which made us all proud. Calum SS was the Man of the Match, for his determination to improve following a dodgy start, and then for his effectiveness at shutting out their key winger.

Thanks to Val for snacks, and James for the line.



					CLICK ON FOR PREVIOUS MATCH REPORTS EC U12s v Frinton & Walton 16/9/07 Earls Colne v Boadicea Dynamos 23/9/07 7Halstead Town v Earls Colne 30/9/07 Earls Colne v Stanway Rovers 7/10/07 Earls Colne v Lawford Blues 14/10/07 Earls Colne v Boxford Rovers 21/10/07 Earls Colne v Tempest 28/10/07 Long Melford v Earls Colne 4/11/07 Earls Colne v Bergholt Heath 12/11/07 ECU12 v Harwich & Parkeston 25/11/07 Frinton Walton v EC U12 2/12/07 Bergholt v EC U12 7/1/08 Earls Colne v Heybridge Youth 13/1/08 EC U12 v Halstead 27/1/08 Heybridge Youth v EC U12 3/2/08 Boadicea Dynamos v Earls Colne 17/2/08
		Under 12s Match Report



		24th February 2008 Stanway Rovers 0 – Earls Colne 1 (L. Lee-Allan) The day didn’t start so well. Two calls within minutes meant that both Daniel and George were out, leaving us with only 11 players. I took the view that we had been so poor last week that a few enforced changes might do us good. Patrick moved into the centre of defence and Calum SS went to right back. Sam took up post next to Louis, and Cameron moved to the left midfield spot that no-one wants. The weather was gloriously bright but a little windy. Stanway kindly provided yellow dugouts, which quickly became the property of the fans – how would Fergie react to that? I thought we might be onto something when one of their midfielders wore a hat. The first 15 minutes were a little worrying. Jake seemed to be constantly punting the ball out, only for it to keep coming back. Calum SS was struggling with his role, and was caught out on a number of occasions, allowing their nippy winger in behind him. Our midfielders lacked bite and when they did win the ball they were quickly forced off of it. We were living dangerously and if Stanway had a little more conviction going forward we would have easily conceded. Then, halfway through we started to improve. Calum SS began to get the measure of his position and Stanway found it harder to penetrate. A great move up the left, started by Cameron, moved on by James and nearly finished by Harry was the move of the match, and showed that we were capable of fashioning chances, if we didn’t rely on just hoofing it. By the end of the half Calum SS was being praised by his team mates for his efforts, and we knew we were doing well. With the wind with us in the second half (well done Harry for winning the toss) we suddenly looked a much better proposition. Louis started to dominate the midfield, and Stanway looked much less of a threat. They did break through and a clever back heel led to a shot going over, but we were working hard on trying to keep our shape, with some success. Into the final quarter and Harry was bundled over a couple of yards outside the box. He wanted Jake to take the kick, but I opted for Louis, as I felt the distance more suited his shape of shot. Proud dad moment – he drifted it over the wall and low to the keeper’s right. In fact he hit it with less oomph than the missed penalty last week, but this time it was all about the accuracy. The final ten minutes dragged ( I think the ref owned Fergie’s watch) but we were in the ascendancy. Louis nearly doubled his success with a couple of efforts, and Luke went agonisingly close. The key was we didn’t panic, held the territorial advantage and closed the game down. A fantastic display which made us all proud. Calum SS was the Man of the Match, for his determination to improve following a dodgy start, and then for his effectiveness at shutting out their key winger. Thanks to Val for snacks, and James for the line.