Half way point
12 Nov 2011

AFC DRONFIELD UNDER 10’S

HALF SEASON REPORT

As we approach the half season point it’s a good point to reflect on the action so far. The statistics read played 9, won 5, drawn 1 and lost 3 and with only the runaway leaders Crosspool still to play it’s a good point to assess how the Under 10’s have done so far.

The start of the season where the opening 3 games were each lost by a single goal has fortunately proven to be atypical to the later performances which propelled the Under 10’s to 6^th position in the league having beaten two of the teams above them in fairly comprehensive style.

The turnaround from those first three games has been quite stunning teamwork, passes and tacking back have all improved considerably. The coaching staff should be congratulated for instilling some discipline into this lively bunch and the players themselves have shown tremendous heart to overcome the early losses to pave the way forward with a tremendous unbeaten run of 6 games.

Assistant Coach Andy Firth, so worried with the early season losses that some local newspapers had even reporting “serious drinking problems”, now looks radiant in health and has even been rumoured to have been approached by Stuart Pearce to help coach the GB 2012 Olympics team. Meanwhile after seeing Chris Parish’s Robot dance celebrations, Simon Cowell has apparently been in contact to offer a guest appearance on next yearsBritain’s Got Talent show. One only wonders how long the greatest management duo since Clough & Taylor can be kept atAFCDronfield.

For those “Season Ticket” parents who have watched each game they too have enjoyed the football which at times has been quite breath taking. Privately now in hushed corners there is optimistic talk that the Sunday match Bovril or Coffee may make way for end of season champagne as the forbidden P word ..... Promotion has started to be whispered. Even poor Mrs White, who hasn’t won the raffle for an astonishing 2 weeks now, can manage to hide her disappointment behind the mask of watching some highly entertaining football.

The fears of giving away easy goals have not yet disappeared but they diminish week on week and each goal bound attack is now thought to have genuine chances of adding to theAFCDronfield goal tally which already sits at 40 for and only 29 against.

Indeed the defence record of only 29 goals against is the third meanest in the league and it is here where we will start our players round up.

Both goalkeepers Thomas Mycroft and Frankie Fitzpatrick have equipped themselves well. Thomas consistently saves well and Frankie now delights in charging down the attackers at every opportunity.

In the defence Ben Mercer, Callum Holland, Daniel Barnett, Danny Gee, William White and Jordan Schofield have all equipped themselves well and with each passing week their confidence has grown.

The positional play of Callum and Danny is excellent and Ben and Daniel never stop running and all provide excellent cover for the goalkeepers.

Highlights from this group must include Jordan’s long range goal against Sheffield Sixes which turned the tide of that game and as if to epitomise the change in fortunes from early season, William White’s own journey from unluckily conceding a penalty against Greasborough to smashing home the winner vs Hallam Rangers shows how tremendous progress has been made.

In midfield we have George Glossop, Joe Taylor, Max Beresford Kay, William Firth and Oliver Marshall. Both George and Oliver have chipped in with important goals this season to support the forwards and William, Max and Joe have worked tirelessly to help create chances for the forwards. The passing from midfield has been one of the secret weapons that has led to the improved form and unbeaten streak.

The frontline forwards, Adam Moorwood, Louis Fox, Nathan Bower, Thomas Clay, Tim Clark and Jack Parish complete the squad assessment.

All of the forwards have consistently found the back of the net and lead scoring Jack Parish has shown over recent weeks that he will quite literally shoot (and score) from anywhere on the pitch.

Tims speed in front of goal worries defenders and Nathans trickery down the line has created many chances. Louis Fox’s determination in the box has proved very valuable and Thomas has a great attitude in forcing his way into the danger zone in front of goal. They are well supported by Adam who has a keen eye for goal and is not afraid to tackle back strongly and harass opposing defenders with the ball.

On the eve of the return fixture against Throstles, the expectation is to avenge the opening day defeat and the hope is that the unbeaten run will continue to helpAFCDronfield climb ever higher in this league.