31 Aug 2010

the season has started
31 Aug 2010

050910 Predators v whyke united / 10-00 kick off westmeads

Match Report Predators 3-1 Highdown Saints U11's 20/03/10
25 Mar 2010

20/03/10
Predators 3-1 Highdown Saints
Connor Callum Tommy Daniel Josh Burfs(1) Niamh Macca Robert Jordan Jake Alex(2) Harvey

Another cold damp day, with a wet and heavy pitch, under leaden skies we were hoping the promised rain would hold off. The game kicked off and the Saints soon showed that it would not be easy as they put us under early pressure forcing a series of corners and creating the early chances but with Daniel and Tommy tackling hard on the flanks we soaked up everything they offered. The first long clearance from Connor beat the offside trap, Alex was first to react and ran on to fire the ball home. The Saints flat back four looked vulnerable to Connors big clearances and Harvey and Jake created chances which we did not manage to convert.
With Niamh and 'Burfs' supporting the forwards and Jordan picking up everything in the middle we started to dominate the game and before long the ball fell to Alex who fired home his second. Our defence, protected by Josh, was looking sound now with Callum snuffing out any chances in the centre. The play was compressed as both teams tried to defend as high up the pitch as possible, Callum won the ball in our half then, seeing his chance, ran powerfully through the whole Saints team but just failed to complete, what would have been a fantastic goal, as the keeper saved.
Into the second half and Macca and Robert were on and with Macca in particular working hard we were now dominating the game and during a spell of sustained pressure the ball fell to 'Burfs', on the edge of the box, who placed the ball into the bottom corner of the net for his first goal of the season. The pattern of the game stayed the same, as we continued to dominate, the Saints were visibly wilting now as our superior fitness and ability threatened to overrun them. Bitterly cold rain had started to lash down as a loss of concentration allowed the Saints a consolation breakaway goal in the last minute, but we had comfortably beaten our most likely challengers for the title.
"Lino" Dave again produced a very assured performance, it's great to have a really competent linesman that the defenders can have confidence in, particularly with the offside law as it is now applied.
So the winning run continued into the home straight and after winning again on Sunday one more win against Bourne next week will see us as Champions.

Match Report Selsey Seals 2-5 Predators U11's
18 Dec 2009

13/12/09
Selsey Seals B 2 - 5 Predators
Connor Callum Chris Daniel Josh(1) Burfs Niamh(1) Ashley(2) Jordan(1) Jake Alex Harvey

Another cold day in Selsey but although the grass was a little long the pitch was in good condition and we were looking forward to a good game having not played a league game in October. Immediately from the kick off we stormed forward and from our first attack the ball ricocheted around the Seals penalty area before falling to Josh on the edge of the area who crashed it into the net. Straight from the restart we were pressurising the Seals goal again and soon had another as Ashley fired home. We were two up inside five minutes and it looked as if it could turn into a rout, but it was not to be that easy as the Seals dug in and although we continued to have most of the possession they started to look more dangerous on the break. Generally the defence looked sound with Callum dominating the centre and Daniel and Burfs protecting the flanks, but all season we have looked vulnerable against the long ball beating the offside trap and sure enough the Seals broke away to score against the run of play. From the restart the game pattern continued with our constant pressure threatening another goal. Jake and Harvey were working hard in attack but the opposition goal led a charmed life, as they and Alex all went close, until Ashley scored with a tremendous long range shot.

Into the second half and Chris replaced Daniel who was coming back from injury. The pattern of the game stayed the same as we continued to dominate. Jordan and Josh completely dominated the midfield and before long Jordon added another goal. Briefly the Seals came back with a well taken penalty but a good save from Connor in a one on one prevented any real concern. In the final minutes Niamh who had been providing crosses all the game turned home one from Ashley to finish the game in style.

The three goal margin was no more than we deserved as we could easily have won by five or six, so another good performance. We had another new "lino" Dave who produced a very assured performance but nevertheless won the clown of the week award but we hope to see him again.

Match Report Predators 2-0 Selsey Seals U11's 11/10/09
14 Oct 2009

Download (doc): 26 KB

Match report by Robin Burford, many thanks. Please view attachment.