U16 Calcio Talent and Select - U16 Matlock Town

⚽️ A Fantastic Way To End The Season ⚽️

The game started off really scrappy with a lot of direct football from the opposition. It took us a few minutes to get to grips with, but some good pressing early on in the game from Riley & Jack, forced a mistake from the Goalkeeper. (8) Alfie was in the perfect position to pick up the loose past & some great composure to finish into the open goal from outside the box.

The game was then fairly even for the next 20mins with both teams looking to gain control in the game. Our players dealt with the long pass most of the time really well, until the 28th minute, where the opposition won the 2nd ball & found themselves with too much space around the edge of the box, it was an excellent finish, but we had to close the space quicker.

We responded brilliantly with a goal just before halftime. (33) Some great combinations and forward runs on the left side, we played a great through ball in behind the Matlock defenders. Jack picked out Riley with a cross from the left, the team goal ended with a run from Riley into the box & a brave diving header to finish at the near post.

Half Time: 2-1 Calcio ⚽️

At half time we spoke about following the midfield runners from the opposition & being prepared to deal with the long ball from the opposition. (47) The second half couldn’t have started better with another good team goal, which ended with a cross from Killer, which found Alfie inside the 6 yard box & again, another composed finish gave us a 3-1 lead.

We gained control of the game from here on, we managed the game well, knowing when to slow it down & when to go more direct at times. We defended our box excellently today, limiting the opposition to only a few chances, in which, Nikita, Oscar, Stan, Harry & Arvind dealt with really well.

Huge credit to the midfield players today, who had a lot of running & duels to deal with all game, Oli, Alfie T, George 👏🏻

MOTM 🏆 Oscar & Stan for their commitment in defending against a very direct team.

⚽️⚽️ Alfie (Sam)

⚽️ Riley (Jack)