The Big Freeze [21 Jan @ 12:31pm]

Well it seems a little while since I’ve put together notes for the Ashby Ivanhoe FC programme. In fact the last time I put together notes also seems to have coincided with the last time the majority of the Marlborough Rovers teams actually played any active football. December and the start of January have been completely written off for the majority – not just competitive football but training as well. The long cold spell ensured that pitches remained frozen and unplayable. The frost also saw our training facilities iced over. Obviously all the boys and girls have been very disappointed at not being able to play the game they love. As a manager it is always difficult having to contact the team to let them know that they can’t play. If it was down to the kids they would all play, no matter what the conditions, but their safety must come first. So at the half way stage of the season how are the teams fairing. We’ll start off with the very successful girls U16’s. They have continued where they left off in 2008 – winning!!! The have continued their great league form with a 4-0 win at Loughborough, putting them 12 points clear at the top of their league. The have also reached the semi-finals of the County Cup by winning 8-1 at Ratby. The U13’s Girls are sat mid-table but have yet to play a game this year, whilst the U11’s Girls are sat just below mid-table. They’ve played twice this year losing 4-0 away to Asfordby whilst achieving an excellent 11-1 win against Barwell. And on to the boys’ teams. As you may know, the U8’s play non-competitive football, but of the 3 teams only the U8 Black’s have played this year, enjoying a good run out against Abbotts Bromley. The U9 Black’s started 2009 losing to Mayfield Panthers but still find themselves mid-table. The U9 2000 have yet to play this year but are looking to improve on their current league position. The U9 Boys started off the year with a solid draw against Rolleston whilst they also look to improve their current league position. The U10 teams are some of the few teams to be actually playing football. The U10 Boys have one win and two draws so far in January plus a win in early December cementing their mid-table position. The U10 2000 have finally gained a win after losing two games on the trot. Both the U11 teams have yet to play this year and are both looking to improve their respective positions in their leagues. The U12 Boys are topping their league, but have only played Cup games this year, progressing through two rounds of the cup with convincing wins. The U13 Boys started 2009 slowly, losing to top-of-the-table Stretton to stay mid-table. The U14 Boys have yet to play this year, but did manage a game in December – being on the wrong end of a 3-2 result against Uttoxeter which leaves them just below mid-table. And finally the U16 Boys. They have started off the year with a fine 8-1 win against Rocester to leave the boys in a secure mid-table position. They need a couple more good results to get them climbing the table. Don’t forget you can get updates on all the MRFC teams at :- Steve Andrews Manager U11 2000 Boys Marlborough Rovers FC