U15 BLUES

Long Melford U15s 0 - 0 Stanway Villa (Pens 2 – 3)

(May 2010)

MATCH REPORT

                Eagerly awaited semi final of the Open Cup against Stanway Villa at a neutral venue in Lawford. Both sides meeting for the fourth time this season with the previous three matches all going to the Villa…………
    The opening half commenced at a reasonable pace with both sides attacking at every opportunity. Despite a few half chances neither side were able to get on the score sheet. In the initial phase of the game, the Colts defence had to be on their game and were grateful for some confident goalkeeping from Ollie Green. The Colts were looking to find some width in the game from our usually dynamic wingers Brett and Cameron, but with Brett carrying a bad back injury and Cameron being occupied by Villa’s best player in Omar the game became narrow and all the exchanges were down the middle of the field and congested.
    As the game progressed, the Colts created a great opportunity, after Brett had made a brilliant run to the by line he whipped in a cross that rifled through the six yard box and it was a Villa defender who made the contact and almost sent the ball into his own net as it went just inches over the cross bar. This was really only the Colts clear chance of the first half………………..
Half-Time 0-0.
     In the second half it was much more of the same, both sides carving out half chances but again neither being able to capitalise with a goal. As the game came to an end it was straight in to extra time with only 5 minutes each way being played. Both sides seemed to lack ambition to try and win the match in extra time, perhaps both accepting that penalties may be the easier way to progress to the final……………..
Full-Time 0 –0

THE SHOOT OUT

Up stepped Adam, Alex, Ollie, James and Cameron for the first five penalties, all bravely contributing to the cause. At the end of the shoot out the score was tied at 2 – 2. Villa kicked off the sudden death shoot out, the Colts to be fair had three winning penalty opportunities but were unable to take advantage of any of them. Sadly Villa went through 3 – 2 on penalties. Applaud its must go out to keeper Ollie Green, not only did he save some of the Villa kicks he also scored one himself, nothing more he could do. With eight penalties taken and only two scored the outfield players were devastated, perhaps the pressure took its toll.

SUMMARY
A very competitive game with neither side giving an inch to the other, a mixture of half chances fell to both sides but neither being able to capitalise. Second half and extra time were much the same and a jubilant Villa came out on top in the shoot out. A great opportunity missed by the Colts to reach the Cup Final………………….
MAN OF THE MATCH:
Dedicated performances from all the players, Ollie Huckle for tenacity, Liam Andrews unruffled defending, Harvey Cawtheray for a strong midfield performance and Alex Fuller for running himself in to the ground. However, man of the match this week goes to keeper Ollie Green, he made important saves in the game, saved three penalties and scored one himself for the cause. He almost single hand idly got his team through.
An outstanding goalkeeping performance.

Long Melford U15s 3 - 0 Stanway Villa (Pens 2 – 3)

(May 2010)

MATCH REPORT

      Eagerly awaited quarter final of the Open Cup with the home side entertaining an up and coming “B” Division side in Team Player Youth. An interesting match in prospect to measure the hosts progress as they look for promotion to the “A” Division next season.
        The opening half commenced at a frantic pace with the Colts producing pulsating attacking football. The visitors seemed to struggle with the livelier, quicker pace. In the initial phase of the game, the home defence were largely spectators as was keeper Ollie Green. The Colts were looking to capitalise on their growing possession with James Spurway and Harvey Cawtheray in midfield influencing more and more control. In the wide area’s it was Brett Savage and Cameron-Dolan Roberts who kept Team Player Youths backline under pressure. However resilient defending from the away team kept the colts at bay in the final third.
           As the game ebbed and flowed, it began to emerge that the pace of the Colts proved a dangerous outlet from defence to attack, the first goal of the game was imminent, Cameron picked up the ball on the wing and took on the TPY full back, clearly a one sided affair as Cameron outpaced the defender and his accurate cross was met by the head of Adam Clark, who neatly headed the ball into the bottom right hand corner of the net past the static TPY keeper. Liam Andrews was in his usual dominant mood and was well supported by Centre Half partner and Captain Josh Bolton who is making fine progress having comeback from long term injury. Whilst mostly untroubled the Colts full backs Jamie Skeggs and Ollie Huckle found rare opportunities to bomb forward to support the midfield when ever possible.
            Amidst a mini-spell of TPY pressure, the overriding opinion was to offer striker Alex Fuller more support up front, although stacked with possession 1- 0 is a fragile score line and the need to push on for more goals was important to settle the tie. Despite a few more chances the first half came to a close. …………….Half-Time 0-0.
Half-Time 0-0.
             In the second half Colts came out of the blocks more motivated and it did not take long before they netted their second goal of the game, with a well placed through ball from midfield it was down to Alex Fuller to take the chance and having initially outpaced two defenders, they managed to catch up as Alex broke in to the box, but showing tremendous strength he held off both defenders and calmly placed the ball under the rushing keeper’s body in to the empty net.

         This goal seemed to crush the away team and although they had previously showed a competitive spirit, this unfortunately turned in to a bad tempered affair. A string of outrageously dangerous tackles on the Colts players were eventually halted with words from the referee, however for further ungentle manly remonstrating and foul and abusive language it was two straight red cards for the away side within the space of 10 minutes. Having been reduced to 9 men it was positively over for TPY.
            The Colts attitude was exemplary, particularly because of the grief they were receiving from TPY players and parents alike. Fortunately the Colts football shone through and after a superbly delivered corner by Brett Savage it was James Spurway who powerfully headed home the Colts third and final goal of the game.
         The decisive third goal took the wind out of the TPY side and the last 10 minutes elapsed with some degree of normality…………………...…
Full-Time 3 –0
SUMMARY
        A very competitive first half, the score line at the interval should have been more than 1-0. TPY contributed well to the contest in the early exchanges of the game. Cameron and Brett’s pace and power down the flanks were too much for the away side, Colts defence and keeper Ollie Green were solid, repelling any danger relatively comfortably. In the second half the away side lost their discipline and the Colts scored two further goals and were comfortable.
Man-of-the-Match:
Dedicated performances from all the players, James Spurway impressive first half, Liam Andrews unruffled defending, Cameron Dolan-Roberts explosive wing-play, Alex Fuller’s goal threat. Keeper Ollie Green untroubled and assured handling, Ollie Huckle and Adam Clark strong tackling. However, my man of the match this week goes to Harvey Cawtheray, creative trickery in midfield, always picking up the loose ball and making things happen. Excellent midfield performance.

Coggeshall U14s 2 - 5 Long Melford Colts U14s Blues

(March 28th 2010)

Match Report

In the Colts last game of the season they picked up a comprehensive victory against a decent Coggeshall side away from home. Whilst both sides were not in a position to challenge for the title the game was played at a good tempo, with teams expressing themselves with no pressure on the result.

It was the Colts who opened the scoring with a close range tap in by winger Brett Savage. The lead was doubled soon after, when Ross Marsh in the midfield delivered a superb cross to Cameron Dolan-Roberts who finished confidently. Despite going 2 goals down the home team rallied together and got themselves back in the game and were rewarded with a goal.

With half time looming, the ball fell at the feet of Cameron Dolan-Roberts, after a blistering run up the wing he delivered a sublime cross which was met by Brett Savage and finished neatly for a 1 – 3 score line at the break.

In the second half, it was the Colts who continued their dominance, Alex Fuller headed home his 20^th goal of the season and the match. But again the home team would not roll over, the home side attacked again, after an outstanding save by keeper Ollie Green, he managed to deliver a great pass to Joel Challis who’s great control and ferocious pace on the wing, culminated in to a cross which enabled Brett Savage to score and earn a well deserved hatrick

Despite the score line, in the final minutes of the game, the Colts were guilty of taking their foot off the gas and Coggeshall went on to score their second goal of the game and also missed a penalty kick. The Colts man of the match was awarded to Cameron-Dolan Roberts for an outstanding performance. A mention must also go out to the welcomed return of Colts skipper Josh Bolton who returned from a long term injury and got some valuable football under his belt.

MESSAGE FOR PLAYERS & PARENTS

(March 28th 2010)

Some of you will be aware that the numbers for team training have been low recently, on behalf of Mick and Dave who give up their spare time, I would ask that the players and their parents try and make a better effort for the lads to attend.

It is almost impossible to carry out a beneficial and fun training session when only half the team turn up, with a full squad turning up, training will obviously be much better and will benefit all parties concerned.

It is worth remembering that you are an excellant team and exceptional footballers, with just a little more application and camaraderie it will only be a matter of time before you challenge for a league title or win a cup.

So here is my message to the players (assuming any of you actually read the match reports), just for one night only, drag yourself away from your XBOX/PLAYSTATION, tell your girlfriends on MSN/FACEBOOK that they can live without you for one night during the week, leave any of your petty school arguments at the school gates and get yourselves to training.

Remember that your Manager, Assistant Manager and Parents give up a lot of their spare time for you to play football, the least you can do is get to training, take it seriously (You are in the A LEAGUE) and enjoy it.

Thanks for listening,

Andy Fuller

Long Melford U14s Blues 1 – 2 Stanway Villa U14’s

(March 7th 2010)

Match Report

For the third time this season the Colts matched up with last year’s league winners Villa in another high octane match. With the Colts side decimated by injuries, absence players and no substitutes to call upon, today’s game was always going to be an uphill battle.

Villa started very well and raced in to a 1 – 0 lead early in the first half, in fairness it was a well hit shot from outside the box which left keeper Ollie Green no chance. However, despite this terrible start the Colts battled back superbly, a make shift back four were outstanding and praise should go to Ross Marsh and Ollie Huckle for excellent full back performances, Liam Andrews and Adam Clark were also magnificent at the centre of defence. Despite the early set back, Melford started to raid the Villa goal themselves, James and Harvey worked tirelessly in midfield and created a good few chances for the front four of Alex, Joel, Cameron and Brett.

After some neat passes through the midfield, the ball fell to Brett Savage who from just inside the box turned the Villa full back inside out and fired a beautifully crafted shot in to the bottom corner of the net. Shortly after Cameron Dolan-Roberts was denied by an outstanding save by the Villa keeper and Joel Challis went close too. The first half ended honours even.

In the second half, the game was still being played at high tempo and both teams had chances to move ahead, but it was Villa though who struck again rather fortuitously, after a lucky rebound came off a Colts defender, it fell straight to Villa striker who had an open goal to tap in to.

Despite this second set back against the run of play, again it was Melford who seemed the more positive of the two teams despite being down for the second time in the match, more confident goalkeeping from the Villa keeper, somehow kept the score the same. Cameron Dolan-Roberts came nearest to scoring, with a powerful shot that smashed the cross bar and appeared to have crossed the line but the referee and Villa linesman disagreed and amazingly play went on, Savage also went close with a long range effort from a direct free kick but it just wasn’t to be.

The Colts man of the match was awarded Adam Clark.

Long Melford U14s Blues 4 – 0 Stanway Rovers U14’s Blues

(February 21^st 2010)

Match Report

In the second round of the Open Cup, the Colts were drawn against A league rivals Stanway Rovers.

The match was played in wet and difficult conditions of which the Colts coped with far better than their opponents.

Melford were dominant in the early exchanges of the game and Rovers rarely got out of their own half.

The first goal of the game was scored by Alex Fulller, after a delivery from the wing, Alex tapped home from inside the six yard box. Defensively the back four were solid, on one rare attack on the Melford goal, Liam Andrews made a quite brilliant tackle in the box leaving the Rovers attacker bemused about his missed opportunity.

The second goal of the game came midway through the first half, and after another dangerous ball in their box and a bit of a goal mouth scramble, it was Joel Challis who capitalised on Rovers shaky defending and smashed the ball home from close range.

In the second half, Colts started at an electric pace, James Spurway, Ross Marsh and Ollie Huckle battled fiercely in the midfield and gave Rovers no time on the ball at all.

Melfords’s third goal came from a long range direct free kick, it was Cameron Dolan-Roberts who stepped up to the kick and with a sweet strike, he rifled the ball into the bottom corner of the net giving the static keeper absolutely no chance.

High on confidence and with not much of the game remaining, the Colts even had the time for some crowd pleasing showboating, all topped off with Melfords man of the match Brett Savage, beautifully striking the fourth goal of the game past a bewildered Rovers keeper.

An emphatic cup victory against the noisy visitors from Stanway.

Previous Match Reports HERE