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21/3/10.
Earls Colne 1 Broomfield Youth 2.
A lovely day but a game to put behind us. Maybe too much looking at our opponents previous form and perhaps thinking it was going to be an easy game, far from it and I think overall we were lucky to only concede 2 it could easily have been 4 or 5. A game similar to the Clacton cup game where collectively it just didn't work today. We got off to a great start with Louis netting a free header at the back post within the 1st 5 mins. But they equalised within the next few minutes and that's how it stayed until 10 mins from the end when they scored the winner. We pressed hard for an equaliser but they held out.
Our first touch today was poor and allowing the ball to bounce rather than attacking it caused us the most problems, but we will learn from this and put things right at Lawford next weekend, I know we are a much better team than today's performance showed so forget this game and look forward.
Man of the Match today was Jack, who made some good challenges and blocks and cleared his lines well.
Thanks for help with the goals and to Kieran and Val.
I won't be around for training on Friday or Sunday's game, Paul is going to step into the breach, so good luck guys and work hard for the team, parents and manager. If anyone can't make next Sunday's game apart from Luke, who I already know won't be available, please let me know asap or if it's after Thursday you can ring my home number to let Janice know, 01787223810, or Paul's mobile is 07714798359.
There will be no training on Good Friday (2/4) or match on Easter Sunday (4/4). So have a good Easter all and I will email details of match on 11/4/10 as soon as I hear, Training on 9/4 may be at Colne Engaine pitch as it will be lighter in the evening I will let you know.
Sunday 7/3/10
Earls Colne 0 – Heybridge Youth 3.
We knew today's match was going to be tough and we weren't disappointed, but to be fair the 13 today gave their all and we matched them for 80% of the game, were unlucky not to get at least a goal and gave them a real good game.
1st 10 mins we put them under pressure when they had the ball and looked good going forward but a lucky break for them and 5 passes or so later the ball was in the net. A few minutes later they were 2 up, a cross from the left going through a crowd of players to the back post where one of their midfielders passed the ball right into the corner. Good to see heads didn't drop and we worked hard and had the better of the last 10 mins of the 1st half, Tom making a great save in between tipping over a fine shot from the edge of the box.
2nd half we carried on where we left off in the 1st, Heybridge having to work hard in midfield and defence to stop the marauding runs of Harry and Louis. Against the run of play they nicked a third following another flowing move from left to right, but we kept battling and working, creating several chances to score, right to the final whistle. Credit to Heybridge they were a top team, committed but fair and played some great 1 & 2 touch passing, as well as being very well organised in defence.
Defensively good again today, Tom assured in goal, Pat and Dan having great games at full back, Mark and Jack, who must have nearly got a nose bleed with his solo run to the edge of their box, both solid and playing well . Calum was outstanding again today, look out Josh, winning most aerial challenges as well as bringing others into the game, Harry and Louis both had terrific performances, from box to box for 70 mins. Luke, Sam, Cameron and James worked extremely hard, helping out both defensively and when we were pushing forward, let's hope Luke's knock isn't too bad as his improving performances with each passing week makes it seem like we have a new player. Finally, Jake gave everything today against probably one of the best central defenders he will face this season, so much so they always had at least 2 guys marking him but he still managed to get a few shots in.
Man of the Match today, difficult again with so many good performances, went to Louis who made countless winning tackles, interceptions, good passes, and showed great awareness and distribution. I know we lost the game but I was proud of our performance, I'm sure our opposition today won't have many tougher games this season, well done guys a great TEAM effort.
Sunday 21st February 2010.
Frinton & Walton Blues 1 Earls Colne 2.
Horrible, cold and wet day, howling wind, muddy pitch but a great result.
Straight from the kick off we dominated the game, pressurised well when they had the ball and made good use of it when we had it. Conditions didn't allow for pretty football today, but everyone worked extremely hard especially those down the middle who had to cope with the heaviest mud. We took the lead with a nice goal from Jake, his first in his new striking role, using his pace to rob the defender round the keeper and slot home from a tight angle. Then they equalised from a corner which was wrongly given, one of their smallest players completely unmarked to head in powerfully into the top corner. But our heads never dropped and we took the lead again with Jake again in the thick of things to force their keeper to parry and Luke was there to tap in. Second half was much the same as the first, us pressing and them hitting us on the counter attack.
Several chances went begging again but we held out well, with Tom making a couple of good saves, and Patrick throwing himself in the way to prevent an equaliser, he's got a lovely bruise under his eye to prove it.
Defensively very sound again today, Tom, Patrick, Dan, Calum and Mark looking assured most of the time .
Midfield trio were impressive Harry, winning the award for dirtiest kit, Josh and Louis all working very hard down that central boggy area, coming out on top for the majority of the time. James, Cameron, Sam, Luke and Rob gave their all on the wings, despite being restricted to short 15-20 minute bursts, always the problem with plenty of subs. And last but not least Jake, who must be happy with his goal, and his overall effort was a great example to all the team.
Man of the Match today was Dan, who had a great game at right back and anything that got past him, and that was rare, he gave his all to get back and recover. Luke is looking better every week and again he must be happy with his goal.
Well done guys same again next week please.
Sunday 7/2/2010
Earls Colne 0 Bures Utd 0
A point won or 2 points lost? The latter I think, but it was not for the want of trying. Again our overall performance was good, plenty of effort and determination, only our ability to take our chances let us down. We dominated both halves restricting them to 2 or 3 chances, and we had 10 or more in each half. Being denied by post, crossbar, good goalkeeping and last ditch defending.
Our back 5 were strong again today, Tom making an important save towards the end. Patrick slotted in well at left back, Mark and Jack were very solid in the centre and Dan had a good game at right back.
James, Louis, Josh and Sam competed well in midfield and put some nice passes together to feed our 2 attackers -Jake and Harry C, who worked extremely hard and were unlucky not to score on many occasions.
Cameron and Rob put in good shifts on the right and Luke and Harry L-A did some good work up front. Luke obviously lacking a little bit of sharpness and touch with him being out for so long - but that will come.
Man of the match, a tough call again today, Harry C, Jake and Mark all having very good games, but I gave it to Josh who was immense today.
Thanks for help with the goals, to James and Kieran for the line and Val for snacks and subs.
More shooting training on Friday I think.
We don't have a game at the moment for next Sunday but if that changes I will let you know asap.
Well done everyone, our performances are still good even though the results don't show that.
Thanks
Kevin
Sunday 24.1.10
Earls Colne 0 Great Bradfords 1
Another disappointing result but another good performance.Considering we hadn't played a competetive match for almost two months it was a good team performance today, the only thing we were lacking was that little bit of composure in front of goal and that little bit of luck.1st half was pretty even, they had the best of the opening 20 mins and got that lucky break with the penalty, after that I think we matched them and had some chances to equalise.
2nd half was much better with us putting them under a lot of pressure without the reward, their keeper making some great saves and our attempts going just wide or over.
I was very pleased with our defensive performance today, Tom made two great saves, Jack and Mark worked well together in the centre and Jake and Patrick were excellent on the flanks, Calum slotted well into Josh's role today and Harry C worked himself ragged as usual, Louis had a good solid display, Cam, Sam and Rob all worked hard and James was back to his best only being denied by the post.
Man of the Match was a difficult decision again today as there were many contenders, with the back five all playing so well, but because of his determination and effort I thought that Patrick just shaded it from Jake.
Well done everyone, it was nice to see Tom and let's hope his recovery goes well. Thanks to all who helped with the goals,Val, and Dave for helping in the warm up.Thanks for the beers James they were lovely!
Sun. 22.11.09
Little Oakley 1 Earls Colne 0
We lost our unbeaten away run today with another really good performance just a disappointing result.We knew it was going to be tough as they are a good side but as in our earlier season match we didn't get what we deserved. We outplayed them in both halves with some lovely 1 and 2 touch passing but our final ball and shooting accuracy were a little off today. We restricted them to one chance in the 1st half which Tom D brilliantly saved with his legs and had several good chances ourselves to take the lead. 2nd half was much the same as the 1st, us dominating possession and chances, and their one meaningful attack resulting in the only goal of the game. Josh going off 15 mins from the end, after a hefty challenge to the ribs didn't help but we kept pressing to the end and did everything but score with Rob, Harry, Louis, James, Cam and Sam all going close.
Defensively we looked solid with Tom W making a good debut alongside Mark, who still can't seem to shake off his thigh strain, then Patrick and in the 2nd half Calum, Jake and Dan doing well as full backs. Louis, Harry and Josh controlled the midfield linking up well with defence and attack. James, Cam, Sam and Rob all made good contributions as well. It was nice to see that our passing, movement and communicating seem to be improving week on week, so next on the agenda will be shooting practice!
Man of the Match another tough call today with notable performances from Josh, Harry and both Toms , but I gave it to Jake for his effort, workrate, and determination in both attack and defence, we'll miss you this Sunday Jake.
Well done again guys a defeat but only on paper.
Sun 8/11/09
St. Edmunds 2 - 5 Earls Colne
A great game and a great performance from everyone today. 1st 15 mins were fairly close with both teams looking to get the upper hand but we gradually took control and went one up from a corner with Harry LA bundling the ball over the line, closely followed by a 2nd from the same player whose determination to harass the defenders and goalie enabled him to score in an empty net. We pushed for more but the half time whistle came. 2nd half was close for 10 mins, they pulled one back from a corner, which we had 3 or 4 opportunities to clear, and then for 5 mins we looked nervous and put ourselves under pressure. But we got back to playing good attacking football and calmed the nerves with a nice goal from James. Another corner and another goal this time from Josh and we were looking good. They pulled another back with a great finish from outside the box, nothing Tom could do about that one, but we kept pressing and Harry C finished them off with a well worked goal to make it 5.
Tom was solid in goal today with little to do mainly due to a great performance from all the back four, Dan had a particularly good game at right back, Patrick and Jack worked well together in the centre and Jake was his usual self, especially near the end when he went on a solo run beating 4 or 5 of their players only for their keeper, who I must say made at least 4 outstanding saves for them, to tip his fierce shot round the post for a corner. The midfield trio of Josh, Harry and Louis were back to their best today and it showed in both attacking and defending. James, Cameron and Sam all worked extremely hard and made great contributions today, But Man of the Match went to Harry LA who, when he came on, terrorised their defence and always looked dangerous when balls were passed over the top or to feet, and of course his 2 goals.
Well done guys.
Thanks to James for the line some other volunteers for running the line would be appreciated, and to Val for subs and snacks.
Sun. 1/11/2009
Clacton Utd 1 - Earls Colne 1 AET (Clacton win 4-3 on pens).
Another one of those days where things just didn't go our way today. We didn't lose the game and should have won comfortably but our level of performance dropped to theirs and we made hard work of it. The windy conditions didn't help but that was the same for both teams. They went a goal up and that gave us the incentive to rise to the challenge, so for the last 10mins of the 1st half and 1st 10mins of the 2nd half we played much better, with Louis deservedly getting the equaliser after a nice move. We should have gone on and won from there but some stray passing and nervy defending meant we went to the dreaded penalty shoot out. I would like to applaud all boys who stepped up to take them today I know its not easy but a lottery so no blame attached to anyone for missing, just one of those things.
A game to put behind us and a few things to work on in training, lets keep our heads up and look forward to next Sundays game where we can get back to playing the way we know we can.
Looks like within the next fortnight we will be acquiring 2 new players in Rob Webb and Tom Wingate, so there will be a bit more competition for places and the luxury of a couple or three subs to use on a Sunday.
Sun. 18/10/09
Earls Colne 3 Frinton & Walton Blues 1
What a difference a week makes, a much better team performance today, hard work, enthusiasm, determination and some good football. Another close game with both sides battling well, our only defensive mix up in the whole game resulting in a free kick just outside the box which their striker slotted right into the top corner to put them 1 0 up. But heads didn't drop and we continued
to press and we drew level with a nice header from Josh from another one of James' precision corners. Our 2nd goal was outstanding, a quick throw from Tom and after several nice passes Louis was through to round the keeper and walk the ball into the net.
2nd half it took us 10 mins to get back into our stride but we deservedly got a 3rd with again some good passing leading to Harry riding a challenge from a defender to coolly rifle a 20 yard shot into the far corner. From then on we continued to press and never really looked like conceding, the midfield kept the pressure off the defence and apart from a couple of long shots and free kicks I felt we were
comfortable, which is good for the boys and the rest of us.
Tom was solid in goal and didn't have that much to do today, the back four were excellent, Jake, Jack, Mark and Patrick making sure clearances and passing was much better than last week. The midfield trio of Josh, Harry and Louis, all scoring this week, worked tremendously hard, and their movement and passing was sheer quality. Dan and Cameron put in a great shift between them on the flanks, and James, who impresses every week, had another great game, his link up play and work rate outstanding. I gave Louis Man of the Match today, for his hard work, enthusiasm, and even though still a bit under the weather, his determination set a great example for the whole team. Well done everyone you fully deserved today's victory.
Thanks to James for the line, Dave for being ball boy, Sue and Val for carrying bags, and everyone for help with the goals
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